Authorisation Error with Gmail on older iMac

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Level 1

5 points

Authorisation Error with Gmail on older iMac

Since I changed my home WiFi network I have started getting an error logging into my Gmail accounts on Apple Mail on an old iMac (2011 running macOS High Sierra 10.13.6). It reads:

"Authorisation Error

Error 400: invalid_request

You can't sign in to this app because it doesn't comply with

Google's OAuth 2.0 policy for keeping apps secure.

... "

I've seen other posts with people having the same problem with Mail on High Sierra 10.13.6 and below, but haven't seen a solution. One suggestion is to upgrade to a later OS but this is not a solution for me because of hardware limitations.

Is there a solution, or do I just have to accept that my old iMac can no longer use Gmail?

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Jan 27, 2025 9:01 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

6x6

Level 7

20,229 points

Jan 28, 2025 10:50 AM in response to brianbron

Google has strengthened its security and older Mac operating systems (OS X or macOS) are no longer compatible. This is why you are receiving this “Error 400.”

To connect your Gmail account on your Mac:

First, delete the Gmail account from your Mac if it still exists.
Then, you create an application password: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?.
Finally, add the Gmail account by choosing "Other" and not "Google". Fill in your email address and application password.

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 7

20,229 points

Jan 29, 2025 5:32 AM in response to brianbron

Yes, you absolutely need to delete it. Here is an article on how to delete the account and how to add a new one: Set up Mail on your Mac with email accounts.

Do not worry about your e-mail: they are stored on Google’s servers. They will be downloaded again to your Mac once you add the account.

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Answer 3

brianbron Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 28, 2025 5:24 PM in response to 6x6

Thanks for your reply, but a couple of questions.

1. When I go to delete the Gmail account, I get two options, Turn Off Account, which makes the account inactive but doesn’t delete it from this computer, and Remove From All, which removes it from all my computers. I have two other Macs and I want to keep this Gmail account operating on them. Is it sufficient to select Turn Off Account and just make the account inactive?

2. If I select Turn Off Account, create app password and a new “other” account, then try to login with the new app password, I get “This account already exists”, and can’t sign in. Is this because the inactive Gmail account still exists on my computer, or because Google recognises it as an active Gmail account?

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Answer 4

brianbron Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 29, 2025 11:15 PM in response to 6x6

Yes that fixed it. I am now running Gmail accounts again!

Thanks for all your help.

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