Gmail POP3 and SMTP Settings for Email Apps

For Gmail, use pop.gmail.com for incoming POP mail (SSL, port 995) and smtp.gmail.com for outgoing mail (SSL, port 465, or TLS/STARTTLS, port 587). POP access must be enabled in Gmail, and most email apps need Google sign-in or an app password rather than your regular Gmail password.

Gmail POP and SMTP settings

Enter these settings in the account setup screens of an email app that asks for server details. Menu names differ by app, but the server names and ports are the same.

Incoming mail protocol: POP3
Incoming server: pop.gmail.com
Incoming port: 995
Incoming security: SSL/TLS
Outgoing mail protocol: SMTP
Outgoing server: smtp.gmail.com
Outgoing port: 465 with SSL, or 587 with TLS/STARTTLS
Outgoing authentication: required; use your full Gmail address as the username

Choose one supported security option for SMTP, not both at once. If the app has a separate setting for authentication on the outgoing server, turn it on and use the same Gmail username and sign-in method as for incoming mail.

Enable POP access in Gmail

POP is not simply a server address: Gmail must be configured to allow POP retrieval. Sign in to Gmail in a web browser, open Settings, select See all settings, and open Forwarding and POP/IMAP. In the POP download section, choose whether to enable POP for all mail or only mail that arrives from now on, then save changes.

The wording and available choices may vary as Gmail’s settings evolve. If you cannot find the controls, confirm that you are signed into the intended account and have permission to change its settings. A work or school account may be managed by an organization whose administrator controls mail access.

Gmail also offers a choice for what happens to messages after a POP client retrieves them. For example, you can leave Gmail’s copy in the inbox or have it archived, marked read, or removed, depending on the options shown. Leaving a copy in Gmail is usually the safer choice when you also read mail on the web or on a phone.

Set up an email app

Many current mail apps can configure Gmail automatically after you choose Google as the account type and sign in through Google’s authentication page. Prefer that method when it is available: it avoids manually entering server details and generally uses Google’s supported sign-in flow.

If the app instead asks for POP and SMTP details, use this sequence:

Enable POP in Gmail as described above.
In the app, add an account and select POP or manual setup. Enter your full Gmail address.
For incoming mail, enter pop.gmail.com, port 995, and enable SSL/TLS.
For outgoing mail, enter smtp.gmail.com, port 465 with SSL or 587 with TLS/STARTTLS. Enable authentication.
Complete Google’s sign-in prompt if offered. If the app only accepts a password, check whether it supports modern Google sign-in or requires an app password.

Some apps label the security choices differently. “SSL” may appear as “SSL/TLS,” while “TLS” on port 587 may be described as STARTTLS, which upgrades the connection to encryption. Follow the app’s labels and avoid selecting an unencrypted connection.

POP versus IMAP: which should you choose?

POP and IMAP both let an email app retrieve Gmail, but they handle messages differently. POP downloads messages to a particular device. Depending on the app’s settings, it may leave copies on Gmail or remove them after retrieval. Changes such as reading, deleting, or sorting a downloaded message may not stay synchronized across all devices.

IMAP is usually the better fit if you use more than one device. It keeps mail on the server and synchronizes actions such as reading and deleting between Gmail and the app. Gmail’s IMAP server is imap.gmail.com, typically using port 993 with SSL/TLS. Check Gmail’s current settings and the app’s instructions before configuring it.

Choose POP when you specifically need a download-oriented setup or an older app that does not support IMAP. Choose IMAP for a consistent mailbox across a phone, computer, and Gmail on the web. Gmail’s own apps and many modern mail clients can also connect without manual POP or IMAP configuration.

Sign-in and security requirements

Correct server settings do not guarantee that a password will work. Google generally expects supported apps to use its sign-in page and modern authentication. If an app asks you to enter your normal Google password directly, it may be too old or may not support the required sign-in method.

For an app that cannot use Google’s sign-in flow, an app password may be available to eligible Google Accounts when two-step verification is enabled. App passwords are separate from your normal password, are intended for a specific app or device, and can be revoked. Google may not offer this option for every account, including some accounts managed by an organization. Do not turn off account protections just to make an outdated client connect; use a supported app or ask the account administrator for guidance.

When entering credentials manually, use the complete address, such as name@gmail.com, rather than only the part before @gmail.com. Keep SSL/TLS enabled on both incoming and outgoing connections, and never send account credentials over an unencrypted mail connection.

Common connection problems

“Username or password incorrect”: Check the full email address, complete any Google sign-in prompt, and confirm whether the app needs an app password. Repeatedly changing the server port will not fix an authentication problem.
Cannot receive mail: Confirm POP is enabled in Gmail, the incoming host is pop.gmail.com, the port is 995, and SSL/TLS is on. Check the POP setting that determines which messages are available.
Can receive but not send: Verify smtp.gmail.com, choose port 465 with SSL or 587 with TLS/STARTTLS, and enable outgoing-server authentication. Use the same Gmail account credentials.
Mail appears missing from Gmail: Review the POP setting for what happens after retrieval and the app’s option to leave messages on the server. Also check Gmail’s All Mail and Trash views before assuming a message was lost.
Setup works on one device but not another: Each app may have its own authentication state and POP download behavior. Sign in to the correct account and review whether one client has already retrieved or removed the messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the POP3 server for Gmail?
Use pop.gmail.com on port 995 with SSL/TLS, after enabling POP in Gmail settings.

What is Gmail’s SMTP server and port?
Use smtp.gmail.com. Choose port 465 with SSL or port 587 with TLS/STARTTLS, and enable authentication.

Can I use my regular Gmail password for POP and SMTP?
It depends on the app’s sign-in method. Prefer Google’s sign-in page. An app that only accepts a password may require an app password if your account is eligible.

Why is Gmail POP not downloading all my messages?
Check whether POP is set to retrieve all mail or only mail received from now on. The app may also download messages only once or apply its own filters and limits.

Should I use POP or IMAP with Gmail?
Use IMAP if you want mail and actions synchronized across devices. POP is more suitable for downloading mail to one client, especially when you intentionally want that behavior.

Does enabling POP delete mail from Gmail?
Not necessarily. Gmail provides a setting for what happens to its copy after a POP client retrieves a message. Review that choice and the mail app’s own server-copy setting.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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