Gmail App Password Setup Guide
This guide explains how to connect your Gmail account to Reeva using an App Password for simple SMTP email sending.
What is an App Password?
An App Password is a 16-character password that allows apps to access your Google Account. It's a simpler alternative to OAuth for email sending via SMTP.
Limitations
App Passwords only work for:
- Sending emails via SMTP
- Reading emails via IMAP (future feature)
They do not provide access to the Gmail API (unlike OAuth).
Prerequisites
- A Google Account with 2-Factor Authentication enabled
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Enable 2-Factor Authentication
If you haven't already:
- Go to myaccount.google.com/security
- Under "How you sign in to Google", select "2-Step Verification"
- Follow the prompts to enable 2FA
2. Generate an App Password
- Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
- You may need to sign in again
- Click "Select app" and choose "Other (Custom name)"
- Enter a name like "Reeva"
- Click "Generate"
- Copy the 16-character password - you won't see it again!
3. Connect in Reeva
- Go to Reeva → Accounts → "Connect Platform"
- Select "Gmail (App Password)"
- Enter your Gmail address
- Paste the 16-character App Password
- Spaces don't matter - Reeva will remove them automatically
- Give your account a name
- Click "Create Account"
- Done! Your account is ready to use.
Important Notes
Security
- App Passwords bypass 2-Step Verification
- Keep them secure like a regular password
- If compromised, revoke them immediately
Revoke Access
To revoke an App Password:
- Go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
- Find the app and click the trash icon
- Delete the account in Reeva
App Passwords Not Available?
Some Google accounts don't show the App Passwords option:
- Make sure 2FA is enabled
- Some Workspace admins disable App Passwords
- Advanced Protection Program users can't use App Passwords
If unavailable, use Gmail OAuth instead.
Comparison: OAuth vs App Password
| Feature | OAuth | App Password |
|---|---|---|
| Setup complexity | Medium (requires Google Cloud) | Easy (just generate) |
| API access | Full Gmail API | SMTP/IMAP only |
| Security | OAuth tokens (refreshable) | Static password |
| Revocation | Per-app | Per-password |
| Best for | Full email features | Simple sending |
Troubleshooting
"Authentication failed" error
- Double-check your email address is correct
- Make sure you copied the full 16-character password
- Try removing spaces if you manually typed it
- Generate a new App Password and try again
Can't find App Passwords page
- Ensure 2FA is enabled
- Try the direct link: myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
- Check if your Workspace admin has disabled it
Next Steps
Once connected, you can use your Gmail App Password account with Reeva's email sending tools.