Google Workspace IMAP and SMTP settings for Outlook

To use Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) or Gmail with Outlook or other email clients, you'll need to correctly configure the IMAP and SMTP server settings. This guide provides the required settings and troubleshooting tips to ensure a successful connection.

Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring IMAP and SMTP in Outlook

Step 1: Open Outlook or Windows Mail

1. Launch Outlook or Windows Mail.
2. Navigate to the Tools menu and select Accounts or Email Accounts.

Step 2: Add a New Email Account

1. Click Add to begin setting up a new email account.
2. Depending on the version of Outlook, select Manual Setup or Additional Server Types if prompted.
3. Enter your Google Workspace or Gmail credentials:
   • Full Name or Display Name: Enter your name as you want it to appear in outgoing emails.
   • Email Address: Enter your full Google email address (e.g., [email protected] or [email protected]).

Step 3: Verify IMAP and SMTP Server Settings

Most email clients will attempt to configure the correct settings automatically, but you should manually verify the following details to ensure everything is correct.

Incoming Mail (IMAP) Settings

Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Settings

Step 4: Enter Account Information

• Username: Your full Google email address (e.g., [email protected] or [email protected]).
• Password: Enter the password associated with your Google account.

Step 5: Finalize the Configuration

1. Save the settings and test the configuration by sending a test email.

2. If you encounter any issues, ensure that:

   • SSL and TLS encryption are enabled.
   • The correct ports (465 for SSL or 587 for TLS) are used for SMTP.

Step 6: Troubleshooting Tips for IMAP/SMTP Configuration

If you’re unable to connect or send mail, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Double-Check Encryption Settings: Ensure SSL is enabled for IMAP and TLS/SSL is enabled for SMTP.
2. Try a Different SMTP Port: If you encounter issues sending mail, switch between Port 465 and Port 587 for SMTP.
3. Enable “Less Secure Apps”: Google may block some older email clients. If prompted, enable access for less secure apps in your Google Account Security Settings.
4. Enable IMAP in Gmail Settings:
   • Go to Gmail Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
   • Ensure that IMAP Access is enabled.

Example Configuration for Outlook

Here’s an example of how your settings should look in Outlook:

Further Notes

• SMTP Authentication Required: If your email client does not support SMTP authentication, you will not be able to send mail through Gmail’s servers.
• Two-Step Verification: If your Google account has two-step verification enabled, use an App Password instead of your normal password for Outlook or Windows Mail.
• Enable IMAP: Always verify that IMAP is enabled in your Gmail settings. Without IMAP enabled, your client won’t be able to download or sync emails.
• Account Type Support: Google Workspace and Gmail both support IMAP and SMTP configurations, but always use your full email address ([email protected] or [email protected]) for authentication.

If you continue to have issues, consult your email client’s support documentation or reach out to our team for additional help.