To connect your Gmail or Google Workspace account, you'll need to:

• Enable 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)

  • https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839
  • https://myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/twosv

• Generate an "App Password" for your Google Account

  • https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833
  • https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords

• Use your "App Password" as your SMTP/IMAP Passwords on Startups.com

Following this process, you should be able to successfully save and test your connected Google account. If you receive an error regarding "invalid credentials", please continue reading for additional troubleshooting steps especially for Workspace accounts.

We are working to add support for Login with Google in the near future.

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Creating and Using an "App Password"

Google no longer supports using your primary Google Account Password for third-party apps due to security enhancements, even on accounts with 2FA disabled. Instead, you must generate and use an App Password.

Enable 2-Factor Authentication (2FA): If you haven't already, turn on 2FA for your Google Account. App Passwords are only available for accounts with 2FA enabled.

Go to App Passwords: Navigate to the Google Account security page and find the App Passwords section under "How you sign in to Google"; this should be accessible here: https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords

Create, Copy, and Paste: Click to Generate a new App Password. Google will show a 16-character password. Copy this password, including any spaces, and paste it directly into the "SMTP Password" and "IMAP Password" fields on Startups.com.

Save and test your connection.

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Google Workspace Accounts

While connecting a Google Workspace account uses the same SMTP and IMAP settings as a standard Gmail account, a Workspace administrator may need to enable certain features for your organization/account first.

For Google Workspace Administrators

Before your users can connect their accounts, please sign in to your Google Admin Console and verify the following settings:

• Ensure IMAP is Enabled: Your users cannot connect via IMAP if it is disabled for your organization.

  • Navigate to Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > End User Access.
  • Scroll to POP and IMAP access.
  • Make sure the Enable IMAP access for all users option is checked.

• Allow Users to Create App Passwords: Connecting requires an App Password, which is only available if 2-Step Verification (2SV/2FA) is allowed.

  • Navigate to Security > Authentication > 2-Step Verification.
  • Ensure that the setting Allow users to turn on 2-Step Verification is checked. App Passwords are a standard part of 2SV/2FA and will be available to users once they enable it on their individual accounts.

For End Users

Once your administrator has confirmed the settings above, you can connect your account by following the standard instructions:

• Enable 2-Step Verification on your individual Google Account.
• Generate a 16-digit App Password.
• Use your full email address and the generated App Password in the SMTP and IMAP connection fields on Startups.com.

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Recommended Connection Settings for Gmail and Google Workspace

SMTP (Outgoing Mail)

• Username: Your full email address (e.g., you@gmail.com or you@yourdomain.com).
• Password: The App Password you generated, including any spaces
• Host: smtp.gmail.com
• Port: 587 or 465
• Security:
  • Use SSL if using port 465
  • Use TLS if using port 587

IMAP (Incoming Mail)

• Username: Your full email address (e.g., you@gmail.com or you@yourdomain.com).
• Password: The App Password you generated, including any spaces
• Host: imap.gmail.com
• Port: 993
• Security: Enable IMAP TLS

If you receive SSL or Encryption error messages, please try testing your connection with the alternate SSL/TLS setting.