Authorisation Error when trying to add Gmail account

Question

Authorisation Error when trying to add Gmail account

I want to add my gmail address onto my Mac at home but every time I try I get the following message:

Authorisation Error

Error400: invalid_request.

I have this email address on my I phone but it would be handier to be able to read and send emails on my Mac from this gmail account

I have read some of the replies on this problem on the Community page but they are 'techie' replies and this is just an old Mac running on iOS10.13.6 High Sierra

Any help would be greatly appreciated

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jul 20, 2023 1:01 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

6x6

Level 6

16,220 points

Jul 20, 2023 5:54 PM in response to Fergie from Fife

Google has upgraded its security for older devices, in particular Macs using macOS High Sierra.

To add your Gmail account, you'll need to:

Create an application password for your Gmail account: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en.
Add your Gmail mail account on your Mac using the "Other" choice, not the Google choice. You'll then use the password created in step 1.

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 6

16,220 points

Jul 21, 2023 6:56 AM in response to Fergie from Fife

This is odd.

First, turn off your Mac completely (not restart) and turn it back on using the power button. This step is not absolutely necessary but it helps when debugging issues.

For the app password, did you select “Mail” and “Mac”?

When you create your “Other Mail Account”, try copying and pasting the app password to avoid mistyping it.

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Answer 3

Jul 21, 2023 4:15 AM in response to 6x6

thank you for your reply.

I followed the instructions got my 16 character code, went to mail preferences on my Mac and tried to add the gmail address to no avail, I couldn't even fill out the box with name, address and password.

I am really at a loss.

BUT I will not give up, so if anyone can tell me where I'm going wrong, all help gratefully received.

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