SETTING UP G-SUTIE / GMAIL SMTP

SETTING UP G-SUTIE / GMAIL SMTP

Useful addition to: How To Configure The Mailbox In The CRM

To fix the "Authentication Failed" error from a Google Workspace (G Suite) perspective, the user or G Suite administrator needs to enable a more secure authentication method, such as App Passwords, or ensure that the application supports OAuth2.
Here are the steps the administrator should take

As a G Suite Administrator As the End User

Ensure 2-Step Verification (2SV) is enabled for the user:

1. Sign in to the Google Admin console.
2. Go to Security > Authentication > 2-Step Verification.
3. Ensure 2SV is enforced or allowed for the specific user experiencing the issue.
4. Verify IMAP access is enabled:
5. In the Admin console, go to Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > End User Access.
6. Scroll to POP and IMAP access and ensure IMAP access is enabled for the users in question.
7. Manage "Less Secure Apps" access (Temporary/Last Resort):

Google strongly discourages and is actively phasing out "less secure apps" access, requiring OAuth or App Passwords instead.
If the connecting application is old and does not support OAuth, the admin might have previously enabled this setting, but the recommended path now is App Passwords.
Note: This option is no longer available in many newer Workspace configurations.

As the End User

Once the administrator has confirmed the above settings, the user needs to take the following actions:

1. Enable 2-Step Verification (if not already enforced by the admin):
2. Go to their Google Account's Security section.
3. Turn on 2-Step Verification.
4. Generate and use an "App Password":
5. After enabling 2SV, go to the App passwords page (this option only appears if 2SV is on).
6. Select the app and device you are using from the dropdown menus (e.g., "Mail" and "Other (Custom Name)").
7. Click Generate.
8. Google will provide a 16-character code (e.g., abcd efgh ijkl mnop).

Crucially, use this 16-character code as the password in the problematic email client's settings instead of your regular Google account password. Do not include spaces.
This app password is a one-time use password for that specific application. If you change your main Google password, you will need to generate a new app password.
By following these steps, the "Invalid credentials" error should be resolved as you are using the correct method for authenticating a third-party application with a secure Google Workspace account.