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ov10mech Author

Level 1

18 points

Annoying imap.gmail.com is not responding.

I have been unable to resolve this after trying many suggestions on the web. This is a Verizon IPhone 4S. Daily I get this message and it's usually when I change from 3G data to wireless or the opposite. I have no problems with data other than GMAIL. The message I get is "The mail server imap.gmail.com is not responding. Verify that you have entered the correct account info in the mail Settings". See SnapShot Attached.

I am running IOS 5.1.1

The only way I can resolve the problem is to reboot the phone and it starts working again.

These are all the things I have tried to resolve it.

Deleted and recreated gmail account several times (works temporaily then problem returns)
Tried changing IMAP server from imap.gmail.com to imap.googlemail.com (works then problem returns again)
Tried the Google Unlock CAPTCHA suggestion
I am using IMAP vs Exchange account setup on the Iphone becuase I need to send email as another identity. When I switch to Active Synch it is much faster, works better, but I see no way to send as another email account using that setup. I have my personal email account forwarded to GMAIL. I also have my personal email as my primary ID in gmail. Regardless, the Iphone sends as the gmail.com account instead of my personal alias.

Please let me know if anyone has any suggestions.

Posted on Aug 8, 2012 7:31 AM

229 replies

Rbayse

Level 1

4 points

Aug 10, 2012 11:19 AM in response to Alex Kim

Right! I have both iPhone and Mac set up with imap and nether of them are working.

Alex Kim

Level 1

149 points

Aug 10, 2012 11:45 AM in response to martinfromrainham

If any of you want to set up your iPhones to use gmail as an activesync server, instructions are here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2480

I think this might be slightly outdated. Sorry, I am at work now and can't really verify that the steps are completely valid anymore, but hopefully this gets you all on the right track.

When you use this setup, you will also be able to have your gmail "pushed" to your phone. In other words, as soon as email is received by gmail, it gets sent to your phone. Normally, your phone checks the gmail server every xx minutes (whatever you've set in your System Prefs). I actually suggest NOT using the push option because it drains your battery, and you can likely wait 15 minutes to be notified of new email (15 minutes is the shortest amount of time you can set Mail to check the servers).

Good luck. Hopefully they fix the imap servers soon.

Aug 10, 2012 12:16 PM in response to Alex Kim

unfortunately it hasn't work

at least I can access thru my computer....

Aug 10, 2012 3:29 PM in response to Rgreencpa

Now I can't even open gmail in a Safari browser on my iPad. Seems like a cyber war between Apple and Google. Where is the media on this?

Aug 10, 2012 4:21 PM in response to ov10mech

AllThingsD has reported on the issue - but incorrectly said it's only on Apple devices, which is not the case.

http://allthingsd.com/20120810/google-aware-of-gmail-problems-on-apple-devices-w orking-on-fix/

Aug 10, 2012 9:24 PM in response to ov10mech

My phone has been doing this since Wednesday!!! I've deleted and readded the account and restarted my phone several times and nothing is working.

sulman8s

Level 1

0 points

Aug 11, 2012 3:04 PM in response to ov10mech

I was also getting the same problem and when i try to access my gmail account on iPhone i also get the same message.. i feel that i mistype my email or password.. but after 5 to 10 times i feel something wrong .. i search over the inernet and find the solution...here ...http://www.tesux.com/2012/08/11/how-to-fix-imap-gmail-com-gmail-error-on-iphone- ipad-android-or-mac/...

Try, hope u will not get this error now:)

good luck

Aug 13, 2012 2:52 AM in response to sulman8s

Ok, I've alson had this issue for the last week or too since the Mountain Lion update. From my research it's got to do with imap being overloaded with email retrival request. there is a FAQ with google about the problem but then again your left asking what's the Estimated time of fix. I have been able to work around on my iphone ONLY using the google Exchange settings (example the m.google.com) do a search and it's easy to set up. the work around for your mail app is not the ideal but i can still recieve mail when the phone lets me know that its there. You just forward it to your ICLOUD account. remember to leave a copy on the server so the phone using the exchange mail workaround has mail on it to recieve. not ideal way of fixing it but, if your like me and have online school and work stuff then you can recieve it. My icloud account has a habit of throwing important google and yahoo auto responses in the junk bin HOPE this helps out some people

P>S> the reset captch crap hasn't worked for me since day one. can people please try the fixes out before posting thank you

Aug 13, 2012 5:34 AM in response to kylenefromcollege station

I finally just downloaded the gmail app for my iphone. It works great and takes a lot less time and hassle of trying to figure out something else to do until google/apple get this figured out.