Windows 8 Mail app doesn't work with Gmail when 2-step verification is enabled
Solution 1
There is actually a simple way to get your GMail acount to work with Windows 8 Mail App even with 2-step verification enabled. You'll just have to use Application Specific password.
- Go to your Google Account settings. You must be logged in: https://www.google.com/settings/account
- Click on Security from the Accounts tab.
- In the Authorizing applications and site section click on Edit button
- Scroll down. At the bottom you'll see the section Application-specific passwords. Type a Name click on Generate Passwords.
- You'll be given a password. Use that password with Windows 8 Mail App.
Solution 2
Another possibility is that it's failing because Google recently deactivated Exchange ActiveSync for free Gmail accounts. Try un-checking the option to include contact and calendar data, which makes the Mail app use IMAP instead of EAS.
Solution 3
You need to create an app password for the Mail app at gmail.com
Solution 4
For those looking for a 2015 solution, this method worked for me.
- Use the process outlined by Rakib to generate an app-specific password.
- Remove your Google account from Windows Mail.
- Add an account under Settings > Accounts using Other account, NOT Google. You can't use the Google interface to login, you MUST be prompted for your email and password in a native Windows form.
- Enter your Google email and app password when prompted.
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Comments
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aardvarkk almost 2 years
I'm unable to link my Gmail account to Windows 8 Mail app when I have 2-step verification enabled on my Google account. The error message that's given is: "That email address or password didn't work." Disabling 2-step verification on my Google account fixes the problem. I guess this is really more of a bug report than a question, but I would love to hear if anybody else has a workaround that doesn't require me disabling the security on my Gmail account.
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aardvarkk over 11 yearsOoh! I like this! Great solution!
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Prasanth over 11 years@aardvarkk it is the only one.
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Tyson Phalp over 11 yearsI appreciate you adding this. This is what worked for me. Once I unchecked the option you mentioned, it worked. Thanks.
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Highstead about 11 years@xander This is true, but if you uncheck the contacts and and calendar data it will function.
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cyberbit about 9 years@xandercoded See my answer below for the new method.