Fix IMAP Gmail Not Responding on iPhone & iPad

If your iPhone or iPad shows “Cannot Get Mail” or “IMAP.gmail.com is not responding,” the fix is usually to re-authenticate your Gmail account or update its server settings. Start by removing and re-adding the account in Settings, and if that fails, check your Gmail password and enable “Allow less secure apps” (if you use a regular password) or generate an App-Specific Password if you have two-factor authentication enabled.

Why Gmail IMAP Stops Working on iOS

Gmail’s IMAP server (imap.gmail.com) requires a valid authentication token. When you sign in to Gmail on an iPhone, iOS stores that token. It can expire, get corrupted, or be rejected if you change your Gmail password, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), or if Google flags the login as suspicious. The “not responding” error usually appears in the Mail app when the server rejects the stored credentials or when the connection times out due to network issues.

Quick Fix: Re-Add Your Gmail Account

The most reliable fix is to delete the account from your iPhone and add it again. This forces a fresh authentication and clears any corrupted tokens.

1. Open Settings → Mail → Accounts (or Passwords & Accounts on older iOS).
2. Tap the Gmail account and select Delete Account. This removes it from the Mail app but does not delete your Gmail emails from Google’s servers.
3. Restart your iPhone (press and hold the power button, then slide to power off).
4. Go back to Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account → Google.
5. Sign in with your Gmail address and password. If you have 2FA enabled, you’ll be asked to enter a verification code.

After re-adding, open the Mail app and wait a few seconds. Your inbox should start syncing. If the error persists, try the next steps.

Check Your Gmail Password and 2FA

If you recently changed your Gmail password, iOS may still be using the old one. Also, if you have two-factor authentication enabled, your regular Gmail password won’t work for IMAP. You must generate an App-Specific Password:

1. Go to your Google Account → Security → 2-Step Verification → App passwords.
2. Select “Mail” as the app and “iPhone” as the device.
3. Google will generate a 16-character password. Use that instead of your normal password when setting up the account on iOS.

If you don’t use 2FA, make sure “Allow less secure apps” is turned on in your Google Account settings (this is required for IMAP with a regular password). Note that Google has been phasing this out for some accounts, so an App-Specific Password is the more future-proof option.

Verify IMAP Server Settings Manually

Sometimes the Mail app’s automatic configuration picks the wrong server settings. You can manually set them:

1. In Settings → Mail → Accounts, tap your Gmail account.
2. Tap Account → Advanced (or SMTP).
3. For Incoming Mail Server (IMAP), set:
   • Hostname: imap.gmail.com
   • Username: your full Gmail address
   • Password: your Gmail password or App-Specific Password
4. For Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP), set:
   • Hostname: smtp.gmail.com
   • Username: your full Gmail address
   • Password: same as above
5. Make sure SSL is enabled (it should be by default).

If the settings are already correct, try toggling the Use SSL switch off and on, then save.

Network and Date/Time Issues

A weak Wi-Fi or cellular connection can cause timeouts. Try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular to see if the error disappears. Also, incorrect date and time settings can break SSL certificate validation, causing the server to appear “not responding.” Go to Settings → General → Date & Time and enable Set Automatically.

Clear Mail App Cache and Force Restart

If the above steps don’t work, the Mail app’s local cache might be corrupted. You can’t clear the cache directly, but you can force-close the app and restart your iPhone:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-click the Home button) to open the App Switcher.
2. Swipe up on the Mail app card to close it.
3. Press and hold the side button + volume button (on Face ID models) until the “slide to power off” appears. Slide to turn off, then turn it back on.

If the problem persists, you can also try using the Gmail app instead of the native Mail app. Gmail’s own app uses a different connection method and often bypasses IMAP issues entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPhone say “Cannot Get Mail” for Gmail?

This error usually means the Mail app can’t connect to imap.gmail.com. Common causes are an outdated password, a blocked connection due to 2FA, or a temporary network issue. Re-adding the account fixes most cases.

Do I need to enable “Allow less secure apps” for Gmail IMAP?

Yes, if you’re using your regular Gmail password with IMAP, Google requires that setting to be enabled. However, Google has been disabling this for some accounts, so generating an App-Specific Password is more reliable, especially if you have 2FA on.

Will deleting my Gmail account from iPhone delete my emails?

No. Deleting the account from your iPhone only removes it from the Mail app. Your emails remain on Gmail’s servers. When you re-add the account, your messages will sync again.

What are the correct IMAP settings for Gmail on iPhone?

Incoming mail server: imap.gmail.com, port 993, SSL enabled. Outgoing mail server: smtp.gmail.com, port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS). Your username is your full Gmail address, and the password is your Gmail password or an App-Specific Password.

Why does Gmail work in Safari but not in the Mail app?

Because Safari uses web-based access (IMAP or POP is not involved), while the Mail app uses IMAP. If your password or 2FA settings are blocking IMAP, the web version will still work. Re-authenticating the account in Settings usually resolves the IMAP issue.

What if re-adding the account doesn’t fix the problem?

Try resetting your network settings (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings). This clears Wi-Fi and cellular data settings, which can resolve connection issues. If that doesn’t work, contact Google support or Apple support for further help.

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