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How to Create a Gmail App Password

Gmail requires an App Password instead of your regular password when connecting third-party apps like Post Guard AI via IMAP. Follow these steps to generate one.

Part A Enable 2-Step Verification

Skip this section if you already have 2-Step Verification enabled.

1
Open your Google Account security settings

Go to myaccount.google.com/security and sign in with your Gmail account.

Google Account → Security page
2
Find "2-Step Verification"

Scroll down to the "How you sign in to Google" section. Click on 2-Step Verification.

How you sign in to Google → 2-Step Verification
3
Click "Get started"

Click the Get started button. Google will ask you to re-enter your password to verify your identity.

"Get started" button on the 2-Step Verification page
4
Add a phone number

Enter your phone number and choose whether to receive codes by Text message or Phone call. Click Next, then enter the verification code Google sends you.

Enter phone number → Receive verification code → Enter code
5
Turn on 2-Step Verification

Click Turn on to activate 2-Step Verification. You should see a confirmation message.

✓ 2-Step Verification is ON

Part B Create an App Password

1
Go to the App Passwords page

Visit myaccount.google.com/apppasswords directly, or navigate there from:

  1. Google Account → Security
  2. 2-Step Verification → scroll to the bottom
  3. Click App passwords

If you don't see "App passwords", make sure 2-Step Verification is turned on (Part A above).

Security → 2-Step Verification → App passwords
2
Name your App Password

In the "App name" field, type a descriptive name such as:

Post Guard AI

This name is only for your reference — it doesn't affect how the password works.

App name field: "Post Guard AI"
3
Click "Create"

Click the Create button. Google will generate a 16-character password displayed in a yellow box.

abcd efgh ijkl mnop
4
Use the App Password in Post Guard AI

Go back to the Mailbox Manager and create or edit a mailbox with these settings:

IMAP Username yourname@gmail.com
IMAP Password abcdefghijklmnop (the 16-character App Password, without spaces)
IMAP Address imap.gmail.com
IMAP Port 993
Use SSL Enabled
5
Enable IMAP in Gmail settings

Make sure IMAP access is turned on in your Gmail account:

  1. Open Gmail
  2. Click the ⚙ gear icon → See all settings
  3. Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
  4. Under IMAP Access, select Enable IMAP
  5. Click Save Changes
Gmail → Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → Enable IMAP
6
Test your connection

Back in the Mailbox Manager, click Test Connection in the mailbox modal to verify everything is working. You should see a green success message.

? Troubleshooting

  • Make sure 2-Step Verification is turned on (see Part A).
  • If your account is managed by a school or organization (Google Workspace), your administrator may have disabled App Passwords. Contact your IT admin.
  • Try visiting the direct link: myaccount.google.com/apppasswords

  • Make sure you're using the App Password (16 characters, no spaces), not your regular Gmail password.
  • Double-check that the IMAP username is your full email address (e.g., yourname@gmail.com).
  • Verify IMAP is enabled in Gmail settings (Step B5 above).
  • If you copied the App Password with spaces, remove them.

Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords. You'll see a list of all App Passwords you've created. Click the trash icon next to the one you want to revoke. Post Guard AI will no longer be able to access your mailbox until you create a new App Password.

The steps are the same, but your Google Workspace admin must allow:
  • 2-Step Verification for your organization
  • Less secure app access or App Passwords in the admin console
  • IMAP access in the admin console under Apps → Google Workspace → Gmail → End User Access
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