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ov10mech Author

Level 1

19 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

yyzLT

Level 1

4 points

Dec 19, 2012 11:07 AM in response to ov10mech

I'm experiencing the issue today on my iPhone 5. It has been working without issue for 2 weeks. What's the scoop????? Frustrating.

Dec 19, 2012 12:02 PM in response to yyzLT

you can try this: Delete the account, reboot the phone, creat a new account. if that doesn't work try this change "imap.gmail.com" to "imap.googlemail.com".

yyzLT

Level 1

4 points

Dec 19, 2012 12:17 PM in response to docbolton

I simply deleted the Gmail account on both my iPhone and Mac Air (Outlook) and set it up again. It works. Very strange.

Thanks for replying.

Rabyd07

Level 1

0 points

Dec 20, 2012 8:59 PM in response to ov10mech

Fix:

1: in safari go to gmail.com and log in

2: scroll to the bottom and click desktop

3: Click account, top right

4: Click security, left side

5: In the "2-step notification", click settings

6: In "application specific passwords" click "manage application-specific passwords"

7: login the verify your account

8: at the bottom it will say generate account, enter a description of the device to be used and click generate password

9: A password will be created, copy this code and paste it into your password for gmail in mail settings.

10: test account, if this does not work, delete the account, reboot, readd the account and enter code as the password

Dec 22, 2012 9:24 AM in response to docbolton

I had exactly the same problem, it started happening for no apparent reason a couple of days ago. I hadn't made any changes to my phone or email account settings, it just stopped working!

The solution that worked for me is to delete the mail account and recreate it. It worked immediately after that.

I'd love to know why this is happening, this is the 2nd time I've seen it!

Cheers,

Dan

msqz

Level 1

0 points

Dec 23, 2012 11:19 AM in response to DanOnWheels

I have had the same problem for the last few days. But, if I delete the mail account and then recreate it, will I lose all my contacts?

Dec 24, 2012 1:49 AM in response to msqz

No need to lose your contacts - just go here

https://www.google.com/accounts/DisplayUnlockCaptcha

msqz

Level 1

0 points

Dec 24, 2012 3:13 AM in response to Deekay@apple

I tried that but cannot get past the Next Step window...

Dec 24, 2012 3:41 AM in response to msqz

Sorry I can't advise anymore than that, it worked for me ok. Can't you load your contacts onto itunes and then if they are deleted from your phone you can reload them afterwards?

msqz

Level 1

0 points

Dec 24, 2012 4:08 AM in response to Deekay@apple

Thanks for your efforts! What I finally did was simply delete my gmail account from my phone and then recreated it. I did not lose any contacts.

I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Dec 24, 2012 4:27 AM in response to msqz

Ah good there's another solution then

Dec 26, 2012 8:31 AM in response to ov10mech

I had this issue and realized I had 2 step verification on my account. As soon as I turned that off, my email started working fine.

Dec 28, 2012 12:30 AM in response to Rabyd07

Thanks Rabyd07 - it worked.

Jan 6, 2013 9:05 AM in response to ov10mech

Me too my phone has been like that sence new years

Jan 23, 2013 2:52 PM in response to ov10mech

Hi all, both of my IMAP accounts (one with my employer; the other gmail) stopped working on my iPhone about a week ago. Both were working fine on my Laptop. The LAN was working fine for web browsing on the iPhone so it clearly was not the problem. Syncing the iPhone to my Laptop was no help. Following suggestions above and on www.inmotionhosting.com, I deleted the two IMAP email accounts on the iPhone. Turned off the iPhone. Turned it back on. Then re installed the email accounts on the iPhone. This worked fine. Not clear why Apple has not responded to countless recent messages on this suggesting that the problem is widespread with upgrades to iOS, recently with iOS6.

Annoying imap.gmail.com is not responding.