Question 1

What are the Gmail IMAP settings?

Accepted Answer

IMAP is imap.gmail.com on port 993 (SSL); SMTP is smtp.gmail.com on port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS). We fill these in automatically, for @gmail.com and for Google Workspace domains alike; you only paste the app password.

Question 2

Why an app password and not "Sign in with Google"?

Accepted Answer

Reading mail over IMAP needs Google’s most restricted OAuth scope, which requires an independent security audit (CASA) every year before Google approves an app, on top of a multi-week review. App passwords are Google’s own supported way for mail programs like Thunderbird or Apple Mail to sign in with 2-Step Verification on. They are 16 characters, scoped to mail, and you revoke one in a click.

Question 3

Claude and ChatGPT already have a Gmail connector. When is this useful?

Accepted Answer

When your assistant is Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, Grok, Vibe or another MCP client that has no Gmail connector, or when you want Gmail next to your OVH, iCloud or Zoho mailboxes under one connector with the same tools and access levels. Inside claude.ai or ChatGPT, the native connector is the simpler choice.

Question 4

Does it work with Google Workspace?

Accepted Answer

Yes, on any custom domain hosted by Workspace, with the same app password (2-Step Verification must be allowed for your account). If your login is rejected with a correct app password, your administrator has disabled IMAP for the organization (Admin console → Apps → Google Workspace → Gmail → End user access).

Question 5

Google says "The setting that you are looking for is not available for your account". Now what?

Accepted Answer

That page with the broken robot means 2-Step Verification is off: Google only offers app passwords once it is on. Turn it on under Google Account → Security → 2-Step Verification (any method works), then open myaccount.google.com/apppasswords again; sometimes it needs a minute or a fresh sign-in. Two rarer causes show the same page: the account is enrolled in Google’s Advanced Protection Program, which disables app passwords entirely, or a Workspace administrator has turned app passwords off for the organization.

Question 6

Where do I revoke access?

Accepted Answer

Delete the app password at myaccount.google.com/apppasswords, or disconnect the mailbox from your anymailmcp profile, which wipes the stored credential immediately. Either one cuts access on the spot.

Connect your Gmail email to Claude & ChatGPT

Pick your assistant, paste one URL, done

What you need

2-Step Verification on your Google account

A Google app password

Your Gmail or Workspace address

Gmail questions

Server settings we auto-fill

Let Claude read your Gmail inbox

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