Mac mail gmail authentication failed

The frustration of authentication issues!

When you're trying to set up Mac Mail to connect to your Gmail account, but you're getting an "Authentication failed" error, here are some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue:

  1. Check your Gmail account settings:
    • Ensure that your Gmail account is set up to allow less secure apps to access your account. You can do this by going to your Google Account settings > Security > Less secure app access.
    • Make sure that your account is not set up to use two-factor authentication (2FA). If you're using 2FA, you'll need to generate an app password and use that instead of your regular password.
  2. Check your Mac Mail settings:
    • Ensure that your Mac Mail account is set up correctly. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, and verify that your Gmail account is listed.
    • Check that your password is correct and that you're using the correct username (your full Gmail address).
  3. Try using IMAP instead of POP:
    • If you're using POP, try switching to IMAP. Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your Gmail account, and click on the "Account Information" tab. Under "Account Type", select "IMAP".
  4. Check your Gmail account's SMTP settings:
    • Make sure that your Gmail account's SMTP settings are correct. You can find these settings in your Google Account settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP > IMAP Access.
  5. Try resetting your Mac Mail account:
    • Go to Mail > Preferences > Accounts, select your Gmail account, and click on the "Reset" button.
  6. Check for any firewall or antivirus software issues:
    • Ensure that your firewall and antivirus software are not blocking the connection.
  7. Try using a different email client:
    • If you're still having issues, try using a different email client, such as Mozilla Thunderbird or Microsoft Outlook, to see if the problem persists.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you can try contacting your internet service provider or Google support for further assistance.

I hope these troubleshooting steps help you resolve the "Authentication failed" error and get your Mac Mail set up to connect to your Gmail account successfully!