Thunderbird not safe app according to google - IMAP authentication error
Hi. I use Thunderbird on my PC and am happy with it, but today, when trying to install it on my laptop, I suddenly got IMAP authentication error on my google account on both machines. Yesterday I turned on 2 step authentication on my google account and also let Thunderbird access my google account. Dont know if that was the cause. After much research I turned off 2 step authentication om Google account, made a stronger password, Turned on less secure apps in google, and chose regular password in Thunderbird. Then I got Thunderbird to work again. I know thunderbird support OAuth, but it didnt help / work. So now I am running an unsecure solution. I just want you to know. Why not post a solution to this in a way that I can find it? The help site and forums dont work !!! Its full of unqualified info/ comments, and I dont have time to read it all. I donated to Mozilla yesterday, so I really have faith in your products. Thanks. Eivind Evje / Norway
Chosen solution
re : So now I am running an unsecure solution.
No you are not running an insecure app. That is just gmail scaremongering. They want you to use Authentication Method OAuth2. This means you have one password accessing all google accounts including those that allow you access to their website using a google logon.
If you do not use OAuth2 then you will discover gmail deliberately blocking you every so often. They switch off your selection of 'less secure apps' so forcing you to access the webmail account. gmail just become a pain the butt.
To set up Oauth you must not select Two Step Authentication nor need to select 'less secure apps' option. When you create a gmail mail account you need to make sure the checkbox to remember password is selected. Thunderbird by default will attempt to set up Imap account using Oauth2 authentication method. It will then divert to a gmail logon to prove you really are you and at this point an AOuth 2 password/token is created and stored in Thunderbird.
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re : I donated to Mozilla yesterday,
There is a difference between Mozilla and Thunderbird donation funds.
You can donate to Thunderbird, via the 'donate' button located at the download Thunderbird website https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/ This is diect Thunderbird donate link:: https://give.thunderbird.net/en-GB/?utm_source=thunderbird.net&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=header
Mozilla is the one that runs Firefox and accessed by the 'Donate' link located at the bottom of this forum window. This is the link: https://donate.mozilla.org/en-US/?presets=50,30,20,10&amount=30&utm_source=support.mozilla.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=footer¤cy=usd
Hello. This post is about IMAP authentication problems with gmail. I think this deserves some real attention. I see a lot of people have this problem.
I repeat the post: Hi. I use Thunderbird on my PC and am happy with it, but today, when trying to install it on my laptop, I suddenly got IMAP authentication error on my google account on both machines. Yesterday I turned on 2 step authentication on my google account and also let Thunderbird access my google account. Dont know if that was the cause. After much research I turned off 2 step authentication om Google account, made a stronger password, Turned on less secure apps in google, and chose regular password in Thunderbird. Then I got Thunderbird to work again. I know thunderbird support OAuth, but it didnt help / work. So now I am running an unsecure solution. I just want you to know. Why not post a solution to this in a way that I can find it? The help site and forums dont work !!! Its full of unqualified info/ comments, and I dont have time to read it all. Regards Eivind / Norway
Chosen Solution
re : So now I am running an unsecure solution.
No you are not running an insecure app. That is just gmail scaremongering. They want you to use Authentication Method OAuth2. This means you have one password accessing all google accounts including those that allow you access to their website using a google logon.
If you do not use OAuth2 then you will discover gmail deliberately blocking you every so often. They switch off your selection of 'less secure apps' so forcing you to access the webmail account. gmail just become a pain the butt.
To set up Oauth you must not select Two Step Authentication nor need to select 'less secure apps' option. When you create a gmail mail account you need to make sure the checkbox to remember password is selected. Thunderbird by default will attempt to set up Imap account using Oauth2 authentication method. It will then divert to a gmail logon to prove you really are you and at this point an AOuth 2 password/token is created and stored in Thunderbird.
Hello. Thanks for a quick answer. I agree. Gmal is starting to irritate me too. Kind regards Eivind.