Mail and Google's OAuth 2.0 policy

I changed my Google password for security reasons but when I try to update my email account password in Mail on my iMac, I get an Error 400:invalid_request message saying Mail (my version is 11.5) does not comply with Google's OAuth 2.0 policy - so won't let me update my password and take my Mail account online.

Any advice on how to get round this?

My iMac is an old 2009 version, using High Sierra, 10.13.6


thanks

iMac, macOS 10.12

Posted on Mar 8, 2023 6:08 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 10, 2023 2:19 PM

This might be fine if your iMac is a within a certain age but with a mid-2010 or 2011 iMac, running High Sierra 10.13.6 is as high as Apple will allow the OS to go.

I get exactly the same problem as reported above - all my Gmail accounts within the Mail app are suddenly non-operational because I changed the password as part of a security review (prompted by Google) and from this point I have been unable to receive mail to my Gmail account using the Mail app on my iMac. The password field does not appear on the Details screen within the Internet Accounts part of Systems Preferences - I get the following:

You can't sign in to this app because it doesn't comply with Google's OAuth 2.0 policy for keeping apps secure.

You can let the app developer know that this app doesn't comply with one or more Google validation rules.

So I am letting the app developer know so that Mail can be updated to cope with it...and asking for this upgrade will be available to users of Mail on High Sierra. Currently I am running Mail v 11.5 (2018).

The only workaround I can use on the iMac at the moment is webmail.

Similar questions

56 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 10, 2023 2:19 PM in response to beatricefromjbeil

This might be fine if your iMac is a within a certain age but with a mid-2010 or 2011 iMac, running High Sierra 10.13.6 is as high as Apple will allow the OS to go.

I get exactly the same problem as reported above - all my Gmail accounts within the Mail app are suddenly non-operational because I changed the password as part of a security review (prompted by Google) and from this point I have been unable to receive mail to my Gmail account using the Mail app on my iMac. The password field does not appear on the Details screen within the Internet Accounts part of Systems Preferences - I get the following:

You can't sign in to this app because it doesn't comply with Google's OAuth 2.0 policy for keeping apps secure.

You can let the app developer know that this app doesn't comply with one or more Google validation rules.

So I am letting the app developer know so that Mail can be updated to cope with it...and asking for this upgrade will be available to users of Mail on High Sierra. Currently I am running Mail v 11.5 (2018).

The only workaround I can use on the iMac at the moment is webmail.

Jan 26, 2024 4:24 PM in response to RobInBrighton

I just went thru this myself with two sessions with Apple Support. We tried multiple attempts to fix my gmail account in Apple Mail after a gmail password update. I finally deleted the gmail account from Mail and tried to re-add it, also with failures.


For me, the solution was in 'System Settings/ Desktop & Dock' and set Google Chrome as the default browser (I had to download Chrome and install).


Hard to believe that Google is so petty that you HAVE TO use Chrome to authenticate your addition of gmail to Apple Mail after I updated my password in gmail. Google gives no indication of the failed issue when using Safari (a "400" error with a snarky comment). There is a reason I am getting rid of my Google accounts, apps, etc.


Rat Finks! [They know]


Mar 8, 2023 10:31 AM in response to RobInBrighton

Try this...


Mac's Mail App is not as modern as iOS's Mail app, Many eMail providers now require a separate App Password different from your eMail password…


It may just need an App Password separate from the gMail password…

https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833?hl=en-GB

Apple Mail won't sign in to Google account - Apple Community


Note from PrestoWebDesign…

Trying to add Gmail account to Apple Mail… - Apple Community

May 29, 2023 4:56 PM in response to RobInBrighton

If using operating system 10.13.06 (High Sierra) or earlier, that is the problem. Some computers like my 2015 MacBook Air were compatible with a newer MacOS but hadn't updated for lack of enough free storage. Cleaning out junk files gave me enough storage to download 10.15.7 (Catalina) and the problem was solved with the newer built-in Mail app.


See if your computer is compatible with an updated MacOS.

https://www.macworld.com/article/673697/what-version-of-macos-can-my-mac-run.html


If so, update and the problem is likely solved. If not, you might have to convince Apple to upgrade/fix the Mail app in 10.13.06 (High Sierra), unless someone else has a solution.



If compatible, simply upgrade the operating system and the problem is resolved with the newer built-in Mail app.

In my case I had to first clean out enough junk files to leave me with enough storage to download the new operating system.


With 10.13.6 (High Sierra) or older I don't have a solution.

Succeeded by upgrading my 2015 MacBook Air operating system from 10.13.06, to 10.15.7 (Catalina). Once I discovered that it was compatible, I had to clean up useless filed to gain enough storage for the new

Sep 11, 2023 2:13 AM in response to RobInBrighton

You need to change the way you authenticate on Google. For this:

  • go on your Google Account -> Security -> 2-factor authentication -> Application passwords
  • create a password for Mail on your Mac
  • on your Mac, in the Internet Accounts settings , remove the Google account that is failing (i.e. the one that shows with a Google icon)
  • create a new account that is not using the Google conduit (last option in the list which reads something like "Create another account"), enter your Google email address and the application password created in the previous step
  • you're set!


Jul 11, 2023 2:01 PM in response to iMacCrazy

after a crash of ssd , In high Sierra , google didn't accept me to use my long passwords

a bypass is to generate application password , 16 bytes long (generated by google)

this bypass was not easy to find , it is an emergency solution (without upgrading OS)


a few days after I upgraded to Mojave , and I put new long passwords(choosed by me) , leaving application passwords

MAIL application in high Sierra is not compatible with OAUTH2 (and long passwords)

MAIL application in Mojave is compatible with OAUTH2 (and long passwords)

i was worry to upgrade , by having other troubles


Jul 26, 2023 1:59 AM in response to RobInBrighton

Have an Mac Pro with High Sierra. Connecting the Mac Calendar with Google Calendar worked fine. Last week I started using a new disk with a new installation of the same OS and got the same problem. No way to make Google Calendar accept login.


Simple solution and, in a way better than using the Mac's Calendar: I have used Mozilla Thunderbird (free) as mail client since the ice age. Now I started using its calendar and connected it to Google Calendar in a minute.

Feb 26, 2024 7:40 PM in response to Gast00n

Very simple and easy to understand... superb.. ive got an old mac running high sierra 10-13-6 changed password on google accounts had above problem.. followed your instructions to the letter and BAM!!!! straight in back up and running.. cant see what all these other peoples problems are..... just copy and paste the newly created 1 time password generated in the App Password section at bottom of page in your google accounts.. Security..2 step verication.. App Password...name the app ie Gmail and click create...copy n paste the password and follow your steps creating new account in apple mail using create new other account..simple..well done sir...


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Mail and Google's OAuth 2.0 policy

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.