Google Workspace Individual is Google’s paid personal-professional plan ($9.99/month) that lets a single user run a professional Gmail account with premium features (booking pages, professional email templates, longer video meetings, custom email marketing) while still using standard Gmail infrastructure. SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 access work against the same hostnames as consumer Gmail: smtp.gmail.com, imap.gmail.com, pop.gmail.com. Third-party mail clients require either OAuth 2.0 authentication (preferred by modern Gmail) or a Google-generated app password when 2-Step Verification is enabled (mandatory since 2024). This guide covers the exact ports, the app-password workflow, and why the settings are identical to consumer Gmail (with different feature entitlements downstream).
Setup gotcha
OAuth or app password2-Step required
Google eliminated “less secure app” password authentication in 2022, so the regular Google account password no longer authenticates third-party mail clients. Two supported paths: modern clients (Outlook, Thunderbird 91+, Apple Mail) use OAuth 2.0 with a browser popup for consent. Older clients or scripts use a Google-generated app password from myaccount.google.com/apppasswords. 2-Step Verification must be enabled on the account for either path to work; without 2SV, app passwords cannot be generated. Reference: SMTP authentication.
Quick reference: Google Workspace server settings
All three protocols require SSL/TLS and full-address authentication. Username is the full Google Workspace Individual email address (which is a regular @gmail.com account with Workspace Individual features layered on). Password is either the OAuth 2.0 token (handled automatically by modern clients) or an app-specific password.
| Protocol | Server | Port | Encryption | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMTP | smtp.gmail.com | 465 or 587 | SSL/TLS or STARTTLS | Full address + OAuth or app password |
| IMAP | imap.gmail.com | 993 | SSL/TLS | Full address + OAuth or app password |
| POP3 | pop.gmail.com | 995 | SSL/TLS | Full address + OAuth or app password |
Google Workspace SMTP settings
SMTP uses smtp.gmail.com on port 465 with implicit SSL/TLS or 587 with STARTTLS. Authenticate with the full Gmail address and either OAuth 2.0 (Thunderbird 91+, Apple Mail, Outlook) or an app-specific password. Google Workspace Individual accounts do not have SMTP-specific overrides: the sending model is identical to a regular consumer Gmail account (500 recipients/day soft cap, 2,000 recipients/day for Workspace users).
SMTP-relay quirk: Individual accounts do not have access to Google Workspace SMTP Relay (which is a business-tier feature for high-volume outbound). If bulk sending is a requirement, Individual is the wrong plan tier. Workspace Business Starter and above enable relay via Admin console configuration.
Google Workspace IMAP settings
IMAP uses imap.gmail.com on port 993 with SSL/TLS. Same authentication as SMTP. Before configuring an IMAP client, IMAP access must be enabled in Gmail settings: Gmail Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP > IMAP access: Enable. This is off by default on new accounts.
IMAP folder mapping follows Gmail’s label system: Gmail labels appear as IMAP folders in most clients, with the special “All Mail” folder holding every message regardless of label. Set your client’s Sent folder to “[Gmail]/Sent Mail” and Trash to “[Gmail]/Trash” (or the localized equivalent) to avoid duplicate sent copies. Individual plan storage is 1 TB shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos.
Google Workspace POP3 settings
POP3 uses pop.gmail.com on port 995 with SSL/TLS. Enable POP3 first in Gmail Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP. Choose the retention behavior (keep Gmail’s copy, mark as read, archive, or delete) before configuring the client, because POP3 clients default to removing after download.
POP3 on Gmail is designed for one-way migration to another provider (fetch mail from Gmail into a target account) rather than everyday multi-device use. For everyday reading, IMAP is the correct choice.
What Google Workspace Individual actually is
Google Workspace Individual (launched 2021) is a personal-professional plan tier: it is a regular @gmail.com account with premium features layered on top. It is not Google Workspace Business (which supports custom domains, multi-user admin console, advanced security). Individual keeps the @gmail.com address and adds: professional email templates and campaigns (send from Gmail to a mailing list), custom Google Meet backgrounds and longer meetings, appointment booking pages, and more polished Google Meet noise cancellation.
Users who want a professional custom-domain email (you@yourbusiness.com) need Google Workspace Business Starter ($6/user/month) or higher, which is a different plan family with its own admin console. Individual does not support custom domains.
IMAP, POP3 and SMTP Integration into Gmail
Configure Gmail with external IMAP/POP3/SMTP to send/receive emails from your custom domain through Gmail’s interface. Perfect for professionals managing multiple accounts in one place.
- Google Account β Security β App passwords (2-Step Verification must be enabled).
- Generate App Password for “Mail” β copy 16-character password.
- Gmail β Settings β See all settings β Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
- Enable IMAP β Save Changes.
- Incoming (IMAP):
[IMAP SERVER]:993 SSL| Outgoing (SMTP):[SMTP SERVER]:587 STARTTLS. - Use your full email + App Password (not regular password) for authentication.
β Gmail Result: Send/receive custom domain email directly in Gmail interface with full search/folder integration.
WordPress SMTP Plugin Configuration (WP Mail SMTP + MailPoet)
Configure SMTP in WordPress to fix email delivery issues and prevent spam folder placement. WP Mail SMTP and MailPoet ensure reliable transactional emails, contact forms, and newsletters deliver successfully.
- Install and activate WP Mail SMTP or MailPoet plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to WP Mail SMTP β Settings or MailPoet β Settings β Sending tab.
- Select “Other SMTP” as your mailer method from the dropdown.
- Enter SMTP settings with Port
587and STARTTLS encryption (when available). - Input your full email address and password in the authentication fields.
- Click Save Settings and send a test email to verify the configuration works.
β Result: WordPress contact forms, user registrations, and newsletter emails now deliver reliably via your SMTP server.
This configuration includes these plugins and tools within WordPress:
- HappyForms
- Elementor Forms
- Gravity Form
- WooCommerce Checkout Form
- Contact Form by BestWebSoft
- Fluent Forms
- Contact Form 7
- WPForms
- Ninja Forms
- Default WordPress Reg Form
- Forminator Forms
- Formidable Form
- WordPress Comment Form
- Mail Mint Form
Thunderbird OAuth2 Email Setup (IMAP + SMTP)
Secure IMAP & SMTP using OAuth2 token authentication in Thunderbird. This modern method eliminates password storage for enhanced security.
- Open Thunderbird β Account Settings β Account Actions β Add Mail Account.
- Enter your email address and click Continue to begin setup.
- Select IMAP protocol and choose OAuth2 authentication method.
- Thunderbird opens a browser window β log in to your provider β Grant access permissions.
- Automatic configuration applies: Incoming: use the IMAP server address from the settings table above, port 993, SSL
- Click Done β Thunderbird begins syncing folders and emails immediately.
OAuth2 advantage: Token-based authentication enhances security over traditional password methods while maintaining full functionality.
Outlook IMAP, POP3 & SMTP Setup (Auto + Manual)
Outlook configuration supports both automatic server detection and manual IMAP/POP3/SMTP settings for complete control over your email setup.
π Auto Setup (Recommended):
- Go to File β Add Account β Enter your email address + password.
- Outlook automatically detects IMAP, POP3, and SMTP server settings.
- Click Connect β setup completes in approximately 30 seconds.
βοΈ Manual Setup (Advanced Users):
- Authentication: Use your full email address + password for both servers
BlueMail Two-Factor Authentication + OAuth2 Setup
BlueMail security setup combines OAuth2 authentication with two-factor authentication (2FA) for maximum account protection.
- Open BlueMail β Account Settings β Security β Enable Two-Factor Authentication.
- Link your phone number or authenticator app for 2FA verification codes.
- Add email account β Choose OAuth2 or manual server configuration.
- Enter server details from the table above
- Complete login with 2FA code β enhanced security layer activated.
Apple Mail IMAP Configuration (iCloud + Manual)
Setup IMAP in Apple Mail for seamless synchronization across Mac, iPhone, and iPad devices with full folder support.
- Open Apple Mail β Mail β Add Account β Other Mail Account.
- Enter your name, email address, and password β click Continue.
- Select IMAP account type β Incoming server.
- Next: Outgoing server
- Click Sign In β Mail verifies settings and begins folder synchronization.
iOS Mail App Setup (iPhone/iPad)
iPhone/iPad Mail configuration syncs IMAP folders across all Apple devices with native push notifications.
- Go to Settings β Mail β Accounts β Add Account β Other.
- Enter name, email, password β Next.
- Account Type: IMAP β Incoming:
[IMAP SERVER]Port993SSL. - Enter your outgoing SMTP server and port.
- Next β Save β iOS verifies and syncs immediately.
Push enabled automatically: new emails appear instantly on Lock Screen.
Android Mail App Configuration
Android Gmail/Email app setup works with any IMAP/SMTP provider for native device integration.
- Go to: Settings β Accounts β Add Account β Email (or Gmail app).
- Enter email + password β Next.
- Account Type: IMAP
- Outgoing server details β Require authentication.
- Next β Sign In β Android syncs contacts/calendar if enabled.
Sync interval: 15min default (battery optimized) – change in Account Sync settings.
eM Client Manual IMAP & POP3 Sync Configuration
Configure your email settings on eM Client with either automatic setup or through precise IMAP/POP3 server settings for reliable email synchronization and full folder support.
- Click New Account β Mail
Authentication requires full email address + password for both incoming and outgoing servers.Click Next β Finish β Send/Receive All Folders to begin synchronization.
Mailbird OAuth2 IMAP & SMTP Integration
Secure Mailbird setup using OAuth2 authentication eliminates password storage while providing full IMAP/SMTP functionality.
- Mailbird β Add Account β Enter your email address to begin.
- Choose Manual Setup β OAuth2 authentication method from options.
- Browser opens your provider’s login page β enter credentials β Authorize Mailbird.
- Mailbird receives access token and automatically configures IMAP/SMTP servers.
- Setup completes β full email synchronization begins automatically.
Mailspring OAuth2 IMAP Configuration
Mailspring OAuth2 setup provides secure email access without storing passwords directly in the application.
- Add new email account β Select Custom IMAP configuration option.
- Incoming
IMAP SERVERand outgoingSMTP SERVER. - Mailspring prompts OAuth2 authorization via browser window for secure login.
- Log into your provider account and grant Mailspring access permissions.
- Mailspring automatically manages authentication tokens β seamless email access established.
Postbox Manual IMAP Synchronization
Postbox IMAP setup with manual synchronization control for precise email folder management and immediate updates.
- Add IMAP account β Enter IMAP Server details.
- Outgoing SMTP with full email authentication.
- Postbox connects and displays folder structure automatically.
- Right-click any folder β Get Messages for immediate manual synchronization.
- Manual sync updates local mailbox instantly with server changes (read status, deletions, organization).
SendBlaster SMTP Configuration (Bulk Email)
Bulk email SMTP configuration in SendBlaster requires precise server authentication for reliable campaign delivery.
- Open SendBlaster β Settings β SMTP Configuration section.
- Enter SMTP Server and Port: do not forget to Enable TLS encryption.
- Authentication: Your full email address + password (required).
- Click Test Connection β verify green success indicator appears.
- Save settings β SendBlaster ready for bulk email campaigns and newsletters.
MailJerry IMAP Real-Time Synchronization
MailJerry IMAP setup enables real-time access to email folders stored on your provider’s server across all devices.
- Incoming Server and encryption required.
- Authentication: Full email address + password for secure connection.
- Enable real-time folder synchronization settings in MailJerry preferences.
- Folders update instantly with new messages, read status, and deletions across devices.
Clean.email OAuth2 Synchronization Setup
Clean.email OAuth2 setup provides secure mailbox access without sharing passwords directly with the application.
- Add new account β Select OAuth2 authorization method.
- Your provider opens login portal β enter credentials securely.
- Grant Clean.email permissions for email read/write access.
- OAuth2 token enables real-time message management, filtering, and organization.
- Setup complete β Clean.email maintains secure, ongoing mailbox synchronization.
Common IMAP/POP3/SMTP Troubleshooting
- Authentication failed: Always use your complete email address, never just the username portion.
- Port blocked by ISP: Try alternative SMTP port as fallback.
- SSL certificate errors: Ensure certificate validation is enabled in client settings.
- Slow or no IMAP sync: Check folder subscriptions and enable all folders in client settings.
More Popular Email Settings Guides
| Guide | Region | Type |
|---|---|---|
| T-Online.de SMTP Settings | π©πͺ Germany | ISP |
| Fibertel.com.ar Webmail | π¦π· Argentina | ISP |
| QQ Mail SMTP Server | π¨π³ China | Global |
| Volny Mail Settings | π¨πΏ Czech Republic | ISP |
| Freemail.hu IMAP Settings | ππΊ Hungary | Regional |
| Etisalat/EIM Mail Settings | π¦πͺ UAE | ISP |
| Hotmail IMAP Settings | π Global | Global |
| 126.com IMAP Server Settings | π¨π³ China | Regional |
| Waoo Mail SMTP/IMAP | π©π° Denmark | ISP |
| GMX SMTP Server Settings | π Global | Global |
| 163.com IMAP Server Settings | π¨π³ China | Regional |
| Webmail.co.za IMAP Settings | πΏπ¦ South Africa | Regional |
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Workspace Individual support a custom domain?
No. Individual keeps the @gmail.com address. If a custom domain is required, upgrade to Google Workspace Business Starter ($6/user/month) or higher, which supports @yourdomain.com addresses with the Business admin console.
How is Individual different from a free Gmail account?
Same email infrastructure (server hostnames, protocols, storage architecture). Individual adds: professional email marketing templates, booking pages / appointment scheduling, longer Google Meet meetings with recording, noise cancellation, custom Meet backgrounds, and 1 TB storage instead of the free 15 GB. It is a features layer on top of the same Gmail account.
Do I need OAuth or an app password?
OAuth 2.0 is preferred: modern clients (Thunderbird 91+, Apple Mail on macOS 10.14+, Outlook 2016+) trigger a browser popup and complete OAuth automatically. Older clients or command-line tools need an app-specific password from myaccount.google.com/apppasswords. 2-Step Verification must be enabled on the account either way.
What are the send limits?
Personal Gmail (including Individual) caps at 500 recipients per day for outbound. Google Workspace Business Starter and above raise this to 2,000 recipients per day. Both are soft caps that reset every 24 hours; hitting them results in a temporary block until the window resets.
Where do I enable IMAP or POP3?
In webmail: Gmail Settings > See all settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP. Toggle IMAP or POP3 to Enable, save changes, then configure the mail client. Both are disabled by default on new accounts as a security measure.
Where is Gmail webmail?
At mail.google.com or gmail.com. Sign in with the Google account and 2FA. The Individual features (booking pages, professional templates) appear in webmail once the plan is active.
About this guide
These Gmail server settings were verified against Google’s official Gmail help documentation in July 2026. Hostnames have been consistent since Gmail launched in 2004; the OAuth-required policy was tightened in 2022 when Google removed “less secure app” password authentication. SMTPedia re-verifies each provider quarterly.
About the Author
Alaa Β· LinkedIn
Email infrastructure specialist with 8+ years of hands-on experience in SMTP, deliverability, and email verification. Iβve configured and troubleshot mail systems across Postfix, Exchange, and cloud relays, managed IP reputation and warmup campaigns, and built verification pipelines processing millions of addresses. My work spans DNS authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, BIMI), bounce handling, blocklist monitoring, and compliance frameworks including CAN-SPAM and GDPR. I write every article on SMTPedia to give email professionals, developers, and marketers the accurate, RFC-grounded reference they need.
About SMTPedia
SMTPedia is an independent email industry reference covering SMTP, IMAP, POP3, email deliverability, marketing platforms, DNS authentication, and email verification. Every article is researched from official provider documentation, IETF RFCs, and industry best practices. Settings and configurations are verified quarterly.
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