Connect a Gmail / Google Account

Gmail OAuth is coming soon. Direct one-click Google sign-in is under development. Until it launches, you can connect any Gmail or Google Workspace account to Kaname via IMAP/SMTP using a Google App Password — this works reliably and only takes a few minutes.

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How to connect Gmail right now

Gmail supports IMAP access, but requires an App Password instead of your regular Google account password. App Passwords are 16-character codes that let third-party apps like Kaname access your email without exposing your main credentials.

Step 1: Enable 2-Step Verification (required)

App Passwords are only available when 2-Step Verification is turned on.

1. Go to myaccount.google.com/security
2. Under "How you sign in to Google", click 2-Step Verification
3. Follow the prompts to enable it if it isn't already on

Step 2: Generate a Google App Password

1. Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
2. Under "App name", type Kaname (or any label you'll recognize)
3. Click Create
4. Copy the 16-character password shown — you won't see it again

Save it now. This password is shown only once. Paste it somewhere safe while you complete the next steps.

Step 3: Add the mailbox in Kaname

1. In Kaname, go to Settings → Mailboxes

2. Click Add mailbox → choose IMAP / SMTP 3. Fill in the following:

Account details

• Email address — your full Gmail address (e.g. [email protected] or [email protected])
• Display name — e.g. "Gmail", "Work Google"
• Password — the 16-character App Password from Step 2 (not your Google login password)

Incoming mail (IMAP)

Outgoing mail (SMTP)

4. Click Test connection — both IMAP and SMTP should pass
5. Click Save mailbox

Kaname will begin syncing your Gmail threads immediately.

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Enabling IMAP in Gmail (if the test fails)

Gmail sometimes has IMAP disabled by default. To check:

1. Open Gmail in your browser
2. Go to Settings (gear icon) → See all settings
3. Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
4. Under IMAP access, select Enable IMAP
5. Click Save Changes

Then retry the connection test in Kaname.

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Google Workspace accounts

Google Workspace accounts (company email on a custom domain routed through Google) work exactly the same way:

• Use your Workspace email address as the username
• Generate an App Password from your Google Account settings
• Use the same imap.gmail.com / smtp.gmail.com server settings

Note for Workspace admins: If users see errors connecting, check that IMAP is enabled org-wide at Google Admin → Apps → Google Workspace → Gmail → End User Access → IMAP Access.

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Troubleshooting

"Authentication failed"

• Make sure you're using the App Password, not your Google account password
• Double-check the App Password was copied correctly (no spaces)
• Confirm 2-Step Verification is still enabled on the account
• Try regenerating a new App Password at myaccount.google.com/apppasswords

"Connection refused" or timeout

• Verify IMAP is enabled in Gmail settings (see above)
• Try SMTP port 587 with STARTTLS if port 465 fails

I can't access App Passwords

• App Passwords are only available when 2-Step Verification is enabled
• If your Google Workspace org manages your account, your admin may have restricted App Password creation — contact your IT administrator

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What's coming

Gmail OAuth (one-click authorization with no passwords) is currently in development and will be available soon. When it launches, you'll be able to connect Gmail accounts directly from Settings → Mailboxes without generating an App Password. Existing IMAP connections will continue to work normally.

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Also see: Connect any other mailbox via IMAP / SMTP for Outlook, iCloud, Zoho, Fastmail, and custom servers.