mcp4mail
EN CS Connect a mailbox
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Gmail

IMAP server: imap.gmail.com

Needs an app password

Gmail never accepts your Google Account password from a mail client like mcp4mail. You need an app password, and Google only lets you create one once 2-Step Verification is on.

1. Turn on 2-Step Verification

  1. Sign in at myaccount.google.com.
  2. Open Security.
  3. Under How you sign in to Google, open 2-Step Verification and follow the steps to switch it on.

Skip this if it is already on.

2. Create an app password

  1. Still in Google Account → Security, open App passwords. If you do not see it, search for "App passwords" at the top of the page, or go straight to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords.
  2. Name it mcp4mail and choose Create.
  3. Copy the 16-letter password it shows. Google shows it only once; the spaces do not matter.

3. The settings to use

Setting Value
IMAP server imap.gmail.com
Port 993
Security SSL/TLS
Username your full Gmail address, e.g. jana@gmail.com
Password the app password from step 2

If it still does not connect

  • "Invalid credentials" — you are most likely using your Google Account password. Create an app password as in step 2.
  • There is no "App passwords" page — 2-Step Verification is off, or you sign in only with a security key under Advanced Protection, which does not allow app passwords.
  • A work or school account (Google Workspace) — your administrator can switch off IMAP or app passwords for the whole organisation. If either is off, only they can turn it back on; ask them to allow IMAP access and app passwords for your account.
  • It worked and then stopped — changing your Google Account password revokes every app password. Create a new one.

Now connect it in mcp4mail

IMAP is on and you know your server. Add the mailbox and your AI can read it — read-only until you allow changes.

Connect a mailbox