Q: Logging in to the Google IMAP server “imap.gmail.com” failed. Make sure the user name and password you entered are correct, then click Continue. If the information isn’t correct, you cannot receive messages.

DouglasKnauf wrote:

 

I am trying to add my gmail account and get the following error.

 

Logging in to the Google IMAP server “imap.gmail.com” failed. Make sure the user name and password you entered are correct, then click Continue. If the information isn’t correct, you cannot receive messages.

 

Password and email our correct…no idea what to do.

The password/user name must be incorrect somehow. I have a G-mail (IMAP) account set up in the Mail application. I encountered no problem when I set it up.

Barry

Are you able to access (read and write) the G-mail account via the web without problem?

Barry

Go to https://myaccount.google.com/ and make sure that Access for less secure apps is set to Allowed.  If it's not then you will receive that error message with the built in mail client on the Mac (and others like Outlook)...ridiculous, but true.

sure enough, that worked here too..

Way to go... Thanks for the easy answer.... That would be if you knew it or even better if Google would advise you they changed something again and you need to change your settings to keep your mac mail to keep working with gmail.

Thanks for this... Glad it worked.

You're awesome! Worked like a charm! Thanks man!

This worked for me. Thanks for the tip. Had a client that was using 10.8.5 and couldn't figure out why Mail wouldn't connect. Took me some time to find the place to "Allow less secure apps". Go to account - Sign in and security and you'll find the toggle button at the bottom of the page;