I use thunderbird for gmail with 2 step verification and every time I startup thunderbird the pssword is required before messages can be sent or received.
I am using TB (52.5.2) as the client for POP g-mail with 2 step verification on Windows 10 Creators edition. Until recently the system has worked fine. Prior to the last major Windows update the computer got very slow and this problem started to appear. At every start up and sometimes more frequently, after hibernation for example, I get the message "Enter your password for **********@gmail.com on pop.gmail.com." When the normal google password is entered I get the message that "username and password not accepted" and only when I put in the generated app password does the mail start to arrive. Ticking the box for the master password does not make any difference. After the upgrade the problem returned. I have a second computer with a back up TB using IMAP and I don't get the same problem. I would greatly appreciate advice on how to resolve this problem.
Chosen solution
2 step requires you to create an application specific password for use in Thunderbird and use it instead of normal password. You should also make sure Password Manager is selected to remember it.
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en quoted info: How to generate an App password Visit your App passwords page. You may be asked to sign in to your Google Account. At the bottom, click Select app and choose the app you’re using. Click Select device and choose the device you’re using. Select Generate. Follow the instructions to enter the App password (the 16 character code in the yellow bar) on your device. Select Done. Once you are finished, you won’t see that App password code again. However, you will see a list of apps and devices you’ve created App passwords for.
Master Password is something entirely different.
This is a password used to deliberately hide stored passwords from prying eyes eg: if you logon to user account and leave it logged on whilst away from computer, someone could open Thunderbird and locate stored passwords.
All Replies (4)
Use IMAP is the only real way to get around the issue.
Google require oAuth2.0 or the use of the less secure apps setting. They do not offer oAuth2.0 for POP accounts.
The other issue is that when windows "wakes up" sometime the anti virus is still groggy. So Thunderbird tries to get mail and the antivirus is going hey what . Result: Failed connection and a request for a password. I am recommending folk simply do not scan incoming or outgoing email.
Thanks Matt for your very prompt response. I have, using "file/existing account" set up the account to be using imap as Thunderbird specifies (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switch-pop-imap-account#w_disable-your-pop-account[https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switch-pop-imap-account#w_disable-your-pop-account ). However, when I look for new mail the system is still looking for the password to the pop account so I still need to put in the app password as well as the account password.
I just gave up on 2 step, its such a pain
Chosen Solution
2 step requires you to create an application specific password for use in Thunderbird and use it instead of normal password. You should also make sure Password Manager is selected to remember it.
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en quoted info: How to generate an App password Visit your App passwords page. You may be asked to sign in to your Google Account. At the bottom, click Select app and choose the app you’re using. Click Select device and choose the device you’re using. Select Generate. Follow the instructions to enter the App password (the 16 character code in the yellow bar) on your device. Select Done. Once you are finished, you won’t see that App password code again. However, you will see a list of apps and devices you’ve created App passwords for.
Master Password is something entirely different.
This is a password used to deliberately hide stored passwords from prying eyes eg: if you logon to user account and leave it logged on whilst away from computer, someone could open Thunderbird and locate stored passwords.