Create a Gmail App Password

Gmail requires an App Password instead of your regular account password when connecting third-party apps via IMAP. App Passwords are 16-character codes that give an app access to your inbox without exposing your main Google credentials.

Before you start: App Passwords are only available when 2-Step Verification is enabled on your Google Account. If it isn't on, complete Step 1 first.

Step 1: Enable 2-Step Verification

1. Go to your Google Account Security page
2. Under "How you sign in to Google", click 2-Step Verification
3. Follow the prompts to turn it on

Note: If your organisation manages your Google Account (Google Workspace), your admin controls 2-Step Verification settings. Contact your IT administrator if you cannot enable it.

Step 2: Go to App Passwords

There are two ways to get there:

Option A — Direct link (fastest)

Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords and sign in.

Option B — Via Security settings

1. Go to myaccount.google.com/security
2. Click 2-Step Verification
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page — App passwords is at the bottom of the 2-Step Verification screen

Option C — If you can't find App Passwords

1. Go to myaccount.google.com/security
2. Make sure "Skip password when possible" is turned OFF
3. Scroll to the bottom of the Security page and click "Looking for something else?"
4. A search bar appears — type Create App Password
5. Click the result that appears

Step 3: Create the password

1. In the App name field, type a label you'll recognise — for example Kaname or MailApp
2. Click Create
3. Google displays a 16-character password in a yellow box

Copy it immediately. This password is shown only once and cannot be retrieved later. Paste it into a safe place while you finish setup in Kaname.

4. Click Done

Step 4: Paste it into Kaname

In Kaname's Add mailbox form, use the App Password as the Password field — not your regular Google account password.

Troubleshooting

I don't see "App passwords" anywhere

• 2-Step Verification must be enabled — App Passwords only appear after it's active
• Make sure "Skip password when possible" is OFF in Security settings
• If your Google Workspace admin has disabled App Passwords, you'll need to contact them

"Authentication failed" when connecting Kaname

• Double-check you pasted the App Password (not your Google login password)
• Make sure there are no extra spaces — the 16-character code has no spaces
• Try generating a new App Password and using that instead
• Verify that IMAP access is enabled in Gmail: Settings → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → Enable IMAP

App Password page says I already have too many

• Old App Passwords for apps you no longer use can be safely revoked
• Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords, click the bin icon next to old entries, then create a new one

Also see: Connect Gmail via IMAP / SMTP for the full Gmail mailbox setup guide.