The Quick Answer
- Follow the instructions below to set up IMAP access in Apple Mail 2.0.
- Google Apps users, please follow the default instructions unless otherwise noted, replacing 'your_domain.com' with your actual domain name.
To set up your Apple Mail client to work with Gmail:
- Enable IMAP in Gmail.
- Open Apple Mail.
- Click 'Mail,' and select 'Preferences...'
- Open the 'Accounts' tab, and click the plus sign (+) along the bottom to add a new account.
- Select 'IMAP' in the 'Account Type' drop-down menu.
- Enter your name and Gmail address in the appropriate fields, then click 'Continue.' Google Apps users: Enter your full email address in the format 'username@your_domain.com.'
- Enter 'imap.gmail.com' next to 'Incoming Mail Server'; enter your full Gmail address next to 'User Name'; enter your Gmail password; then click 'Continue.' Google Apps users: Enter the server name provided, don't add your domain name in this step.
- For Outgoing Mail Server, enter 'smtp.gmail.com'; select 'Use Authentication'; enter your full Gmail address next to 'User Name'; and enter your password. Then click 'Continue.' Google Apps users: Enter the server name provided, but enter your full email address at your domain as the User Name.
- If setup is successful, you'll see the screen below. Then just click 'Done.'
- Click the 'Server Settings...' button.
- Verify that 'Outgoing Mail Server' is smtp.gmail.com:username@gmail.com.
- Verify that 'Server port' is 587.
- Verify that 'Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)' is checked.
- Enter your full Gmail or Google Apps email address next to 'User Name,' enter your password, and click 'OK.'
- Click 'Advanced' and check the box next to 'Use SSL.' (The port changes to '993.')
- Check our recommended client settings, and adjust your client's settings as needed.
* Did you click 'Save Changes' after enabling IMAP in Gmail? To ensure that Gmail can communicate with your mail client, be sure to click Save Changes on the Forwarding and POP/IMAP settings page.