How to Allow Less Secure Apps in Gmail: The 2022 Update

As of May 30, 2022, Google stopped supporting the use of third-party apps that let you sign in to your Google account using just your username and password. It used to give you an option to simply allow less secure apps, but now there are a few extra steps involved. Here’s how to allow less secure apps in Gmail.

If 2-Step Verification Is Off

You can no longer toggle the Less Secure Apps switch on and off. Instead, first you’ll need to find out if you have 2-step verification enabled, which means Google can send codes to your phone to help you log in more securely. Follow these instructions:

1. On Gmail.com, click on your profile icon.
2. Then, click on Manage your Google Account.
3. On the left side of the screen, click Security. 
4. Scroll down until you see 2-Step Verification. 

If it’s off, then proceed to step five. If it’s on, then go to the next section in the article titled “If 2-Step Verification is On.”

5. Click on 2-Step Verification.
6. Click the blue GET STARTED button. 
7. Then, enter your Gmail account password.
8. Click Next.
9. Enter your phone number to set up 2-step verification. This is a required step.
10. Decide if you want to receive your verification codes via a text or phone call.
11. Click NEXT.
12. Your phone will receive a verification code. Enter the code on your computer to verify that it works. 
13. Click NEXT.
14. Then, click TURN ON. 
15. Click on your profile icon. 
16. Next, click on Manage your Google Account.
17. On the left side of the screen, click Security. 
18. Then, scroll down until you see the App passwords section. Select it. 
19. Enter your Gmail account password.
20. Click Next.
21. Click Select app.
22. If the app you have in mind doesn’t appear on the list, then click Other (Custom name). 
23. Type the name of the app into the box. 
24. Then, click GENERATE. 
25. A generated app password will appear. Copy it and save it somewhere. 
26. Press DONE.
27. Now you can use this password to log in to your chosen app. 

If 2-Step Verification Is On

If you already have 2-step verification enabled, you can skip straight to these steps to allow less secure apps in Gmail:

1. Click on your profile icon. 
2. Then, click on Manage your Google Account.
3. On the left side of the screen, click Security. 
4. Scroll down until you see the App passwords section. Select it. 
5. Enter your Gmail account password.
6. Click Next.
7. Then, click Select app.
8. If the app you have in mind doesn’t appear on the list, then click Other (Custom name). 
9. Type the name of the app into the box. 
10. Click GENERATE. 
11. A generated app password will appear. Copy it and save it somewhere. 
12. Press DONE.
13. Now you can use this password to log in to your chosen app. 

What Are Less Secure Apps?

Now you know how to allow less secure apps in Gmail, but what exactly are they? 

Google uses an authentification system called OAuth. Even if you’re using a third-party app, OAuth lets you directly log in to Google’s sign-in page by redirecting you there. This is a secure method of signing in. 

In contrast, less secure apps don’t use OAuth. A less secure app can access your Gmail account using your email address and password without redirecting you to Google’s sign-in page. This means that if someone hacks your phone or computer, they might gain access to your login credentials.

Should You Allow Less Secure Apps in Gmail?

Now that Google requires you to use 2-step verification to use less secure apps, it’s a much safer process than it used to be. A hacker would need to have both your phone and computer to steal your login information. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but allowing less secure apps isn’t the gamble that it once was.