How to use Gmail with an app password, step by step

Google doesn’t accept your normal account password in email programs that connect over IMAP. You need an app password: a 16-letter code that Google generates specifically for Mailamber and that you can revoke anytime, without touching your main password.

How do I create an app password?#

1. Turn on 2-Step Verification. Open the 2-Step Verification page of your Google account and turn it on, if it isn’t already. Without this step, Google doesn’t show app passwords.
2. Open the App passwords page. Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords. Google may ask you to enter your password again.
3. Name the password. Type Mailamber in the app name field and press Create.
4. Copy the 16-letter code. Google shows it only once, split into four groups. Spaces don’t matter: you can paste it as is.
5. Paste it into Mailamber. In the app, choose Add account, enter your Gmail address and paste the code into the Password field. Mailamber detects Gmail’s servers by itself and verifies the connection.

Compose

Main

Unified inbox

Unread

Accounts

anna@demo.it

＋ Add account

Search everywhereCtrl+Shift+F—☐✕

Add account

Connect your IMAP mailbox — Italian PEC included (Aruba, Legalmail, Postecert): just your address and password.

Sign in with Microsoft

or set up manually

Email address

anna.rossi@gmail.com

Password

abcdefghijklmnop

Gmail rejects your normal password over IMAP: you need a 16-character 'App Password' (2-Step Verification required). Create one and paste it here.Create an app password

Add account

Does it work on Android too?#

Yes, the same way. In the Android app, tap Add mailbox, enter your Gmail address and paste the app password into the Mailbox password field. You can use the same app password on your PC and phone, or create one per device: that way, if you lose one, you revoke only that password.

Why don’t I see the “App passwords” option?#

Google hides the page in some cases:

• 2-Step Verification is off: turn it on first;
• you’re using a work or school account (Google Workspace) and the administrator has disabled sign-in with app passwords: ask them;
• you’ve turned on Google’s Advanced Protection;
• your 2-Step Verification uses security keys only.

In these cases app passwords aren’t available. Google’s official instructions are in the guide Sign in with app passwords.

What about “Sign in with Google”?#

Mailamber also supports passwordless sign-in with your Google account. It’s a service Google grants after a periodic review: when the button isn’t available, the app tells you clearly, and the app password remains the safe, always-working option.

What happens if I change my Google password?#

Google automatically revokes all app passwords when you change your main password. Mailamber will stop receiving mail and show the account with the status Password needs updating: create a new app password and enter it again.

How do I revoke Mailamber’s access?#

Go back to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords and delete the password named “Mailamber”. Access stops immediately; the emails already downloaded stay on your device until you remove the account from the app.