To add Gmail to LocalInbox, turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google Account, create an app password named LocalInbox on Google's App passwords page, then choose Gmail in LocalInbox and paste the app password. LocalInbox connects to imap.gmail.com and smtp.gmail.com itself.
2-Step Verification must be on for your Google Account. Google only offers app passwords when it is.
Steps
- In LocalInbox, open Settings › Accounts and click Add Account (or use the welcome screen the first time).
- Choose Gmail and enter your Gmail address.
- Click Open Google App Passwords. On Google's page, create a password named LocalInbox.
- Paste it into LocalInbox. Google shows it in groups of four; the spaces don't matter.
- Click Add. LocalInbox signs in and starts syncing your mail.
Google App passwords: myaccount.google.com/apppasswords. LocalInbox's own button opens the same page.
Server settings
| Server | Host name | Port | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming (IMAP) | imap.gmail.com | 993 | SSL/TLS |
| Outgoing (SMTP) | smtp.gmail.com | 465 | SSL/TLS |
The user name is your full Gmail address. LocalInbox fills all of this in for you.
Troubleshooting
I can't find App passwords in my Google Account
Google shows App passwords only when 2-Step Verification is on. Some work and school accounts have them turned off by the administrator.
LocalInbox says the password is wrong
Use the app password, not the password you sign in to the website with. If you've just made one, copy it again; it's shown only once.
LocalInbox says it can't connect
The message says what to fix: nothing answering at the port, the wrong kind of TLS for the port, an untrusted certificate, an unknown server name, or a timeout. Check the server settings below against the ones LocalInbox filled in.
Questions
Why does LocalInbox use an app password instead of Sign in with Google?
LocalInbox talks to Gmail over IMAP with an app password, so there's no LocalInbox server or Google sign-in service in between. You can revoke the app password at any time from your Google Account.
Where does LocalInbox keep the password?
In the macOS Keychain on your Mac. It's never written to a file or sent anywhere except your mail server.
Does Google Workspace work?
Yes, the same way, if your administrator allows IMAP and app passwords.