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Gmail, Google • 6 Min

Gmail is Disabling Less Secure Apps: What to Do

Is Gmail Allow Less Secure Apps Missing in your account ?

Google has announced that it’s disabling the Less Secure Apps feature on some Google accounts from May 30th, 2022.

Now, Google has decided to begin phasing out Less Secure Apps from May 30th, 2022. Google Workspace and Google Cloud Identity users won’t be affected right away. But support for Less Secure Apps will still be phased out for those users at a later date.

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What Does Google Say About The End of Life of Less Secure Apps?

Google Says: “To help keep your account secure, starting May 30, 2022, ​​Google will no longer support the use of third-party apps or devices which ask you to sign in to your Google Account using only your username and password.

Please note this deadline does not apply to Google Workspace or Google Cloud Identity customers. The enforcement date for these customers will be announced on the Workspace blog at a later date.”

“Special Note on Apple Device Sign-Ins. Users who have not recently signed into their Google Account using only username and password. They will be able to only make new sign in attempts using the Google account type starting from February 28, 2022. Existing users may continue to sign into their Google Account using their username and password until May 30, 2022.”

Why is Less Secure Apps not Showing in Gmail Setting – Gone ?

It seems you received an email version of the notification shown in Google Account Help. Just as a comment, but Google isn’t asking you to delete your Google app. The warning affects non-Google apps you use (e.g. Mac Mail or the Apple Mail app on your iPhone, Outlook, Thunderbird). It also doesn’t tell you to delete those apps. But tells you that your apps won’t be able to send or receive emails from your Gmail account after May 30 (without you doing anything).

Many email service providers (not only Google, but also AOL, Yahoo and others) restrict access to your email account to increase security. Basically, third-party apps are restriction (but not completely prevented) from using email services.

Why Does Gmail not Show Less Secure Apps ?

Google wants you to use Google apps, AOL wants you to use AOL apps, etc. This is a direct response to the sad fact that so many email accounts are compromising every day. Reasons for the compromise include poor password hygiene, excessive sharing of account information, and the use of poorly designed third-party apps that aren’t secure.

If Google (or AOL) blocks all third-party apps, they have an easy way to make them more secure. The truth is, your Apple Mail apps are very secure, but it’s too much work for Google (or AOL) to allow access to some third-party apps and not others. So less secure apps not showing in Gmail.

Updates Insider Says: To help keep your account secure, Google will no longer support the use of third-party apps or devices which ask you to sign in to your Google Account (Link to my account) using only your username and password. Instead, you’ll need to sign in using Sign in with Google  or other more secure technologies, like OAuth 2.0.

Notice I said “not totally prevented”. Google still has a method for allowing 3rd party apps to access your Google account, this is outline at this Google help article. AOL has the same capability, outlined at their help article.

Below are two queries that users are currently looking for:

Why Does it Say My Password is Incorrect When it’s Right ?

If you’re absolutely certain you’re entering the right password and username and your password still is not accepting, then it’s no longer the correct password. Somehow the password was changed — most likely by someone else or Gmail allow less secure apps missing.

Why is Gmail not accepting my password ?

Sometimes you’ll see a “Password incorrect” error when you sign in to Google with a third-party app, like Apple’s Mail app, Mozilla Thunderbird, or Microsoft Outlook. If you’ve entered your password correctly but you’re still getting the error, you might need to update the app or use a more secure app.

Why Does My Gmail Keep Saying My Password is Incorrect in Thunderbird ?

Thunderbird on May 30, you may lose access to apps that are using less secure sign-in technology.

Using OAUTH2 has been an option for several years and now it will soon be mandatory for Gmail. Thunderbird has that option and it’s rather straightforward. You need to change authorization by going to Tools > Account Settings > Server Settings and changing authentication method to OAUTH2 and then going to Tools > Preferences > Privacy & Security and remove the Gmail passwords. After that, shut down Thunderbird and restart. You will be presented with a menu to log into Gmail to grant access to Thunderbird. Once done, life should resume.

How to Switch from Less Secure Apps ?

We’ve recommended to use Gmail App Passwords for some time, but some customers have chosen to use Less Secure Apps since it’s a little more straightforward but Gmail allow less secure apps missing. Now that the feature is being retired, all users will need to switch to app passwords or use a different mailer. Are you looking for a solution to migrate from Gmail to Office 365?

Google Less Secure Apps End of Life – What To Do

Watch the complete video to understand the alternative solution for Allow Less Secure Apps:

How Do I Allow 3rd Party Apps on Gmail ?

How do I fix less secure apps on Gmail ? or how do I allow 3rd party apps on Gmail ?

To allow a third-party app to access your Google (or AOL) account, you need to log into your account in a web browser. Log into the security section, then create an “app password” and use that password with the third-party app to log into your email account.

For your Mac and iPhone (both the current 6 and the new 13), you can create passwords for the mail apps on those devices and use them in place of your main account passwords. You don’t have to worry too much about using a third-party email app with your Google or iPhone, as long as it’s an up-to-date, high-quality app.

Conclusion

I agree that you should delete the apps that you no longer use. I adhere to the KIS principle: Keep it Simple. The more things you have on your device, the more complicated it becomes to diagnose and fix a problem. There’s nothing stupid about that “Housekeeping” is something almost everyone puts off, and with good reason! However, in times of enormous cybersecurity risks – hacking and mass fraud, ransomware and more – it is safer to get rid of these apps whenever possible.

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