Thurderbird Mail Account Setup isn't recognizing Gmail 2 step verification no enabled
I am trying to set up Thunderbird using an existing Gmail account on OSX Mavericks (Macbook Pro). I do not have 2 step verification enabled in Gmail, I do have IMAP enabled, I'm certain my email and PW are correct, but I consistently get the following error message:
Configuration could not be verified - is the username or password wrong?
Thank you.
Chosen solution
"Also, the access for less secure apps options is currently disabled."
Must be enabled for Thunderbird to work. In the new Google do no harm playbook that has jack boots and big dollars Thunderbird and every desktop mAil client in the world is a "LESS SECURE APPLICATION". Why, because they appear to think oauth2.0 for the web is a mail authentication protocol. Unfortunately it is hard to tell a 2000lb gorilla they have their head in an inappropriate location. Shades of Microsoft circa 2000. Perhaps it is time for the big mail churn, from Gmail back to Hotmail and Yahoo who are both doing a better job at the moment.
Read this answer in context 👍 2All Replies (7)
The reason may be to do with gmail who have made some changes regarding what they call 'Less secure apps'.
Many people use more than a computer eg: phone to access their emails. Gmail created a two step verification for people who use eg: phones and this meant that anyone who had created this had to use an 'application specific password'. So if you use a phone and set up 2 step verification, then you have to create an 'application specific password'.
However, if you do not use a phone and just use computer, then you do not need the 2 step verification nor 'application specific password', but you may need to logon to your webmail account using a browser and select to use 'less secure apps'. See the info at this link:
Thank you for your reply.
I am accessing Gmail with my phone, but I do not have 2-step verification enabled for the phone as far as I know. Does this change any of your suggestions? Would it be best to set up the 2-step verification for the phone and Thunderbird?
Again, thanks for your help
Also, the access for less secure apps options is currently disabled.
If you are using the phone as well as computer, suggest you create 2 step verification to be used for the phone.
- https://support.google.com/a/answer/175197?hl=en&ref_topic=2759193&rd=1
- https://support.google.com/a/answer/1032419?hl=en
Then create application specific password for Thunderbird.
Thank you, this has been very helpful.
Chosen Solution
"Also, the access for less secure apps options is currently disabled."
Must be enabled for Thunderbird to work. In the new Google do no harm playbook that has jack boots and big dollars Thunderbird and every desktop mAil client in the world is a "LESS SECURE APPLICATION". Why, because they appear to think oauth2.0 for the web is a mail authentication protocol. Unfortunately it is hard to tell a 2000lb gorilla they have their head in an inappropriate location. Shades of Microsoft circa 2000. Perhaps it is time for the big mail churn, from Gmail back to Hotmail and Yahoo who are both doing a better job at the moment.
Changing the Gmail setting to enable less secure app fixed the problem. Up and working fine. Thanks for all the suggestions.