New Gmail password rules go into effect on September 30
Millions of Gmail users will face new password rules designed to make using the world’s most popular free email service more secure on Monday, September 30, as they head to work. Google will no longer support access to Gmail account data from less secure or third-party apps or even from devices protected by login only by username and password. Here’s what you need to know.
No more Google Sync and no less secure app support for Gmail users
If the news that Google is making a massive change to password security across the board comes as a surprise, you haven’t been paying attention. From offering passkeys to Chrome web browser users across Windows, macOS, Linux and Android users, to post-quantum encryption to prevent attacks, Google has been keen on security all month long. Regarding this specific Gmail password security update, Google has been the subject of much interest for the 12 months since Give a year’s notice. To eliminate the old login method of username and password, and thus reduce the risk of hacking for Gmail users, Google is requiring all Google Workspace customers to sign in with a more secure access type for apps that want to access Gmail data. This access methodology is OAuth, which you can learn more about in this article warning of the upcoming changes. New password rules for accessing the Gmail app apply to all Google Workspace accounts, as CalDAV, CardDAV, IMAP, POP, and Google Sync no longer support password-based login credentials.
Gmail is about to become more secure for millions
Which Gmail users are affected by the new app password deadline?
New security rules for accessing Gmail data from less secure apps apply to all customers using the Google Workspace suite of tools. In fact, the Less secure apps setting has already been removed from the Google Workspace Admin console to make the transition easier by disabling adding new accounts using this method. Personal Gmail account holders are not affected, although they will no longer be able to toggle Internet Mail Access Protocol, known as IMAP, from their Gmail account settings as Google said: “IMAP access is always enabled via OAuth and your existing connections will not be affected.” ” For users, not administrators, of Google Workspace Gmail accounts, there are a number of actions that Google recommends they take to ensure they don’t encounter the “Incorrect username and password” error message.
- If you’re using Outlook 2016 or earlier, you’ll need to switch to Microsoft 365 or Outlook for Windows or Mac.
- If you use Thunderbird, or another email client, you must add your Google account again and configure it to use IMAP with OAuth.
- If you use Mail on iOS or macOS, you must use the Sign in with Google option to enable OAuth. This will involve removing and then re-adding your account.
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