Connecting accounts
Connect Gmail with one-click sign-in, or any IMAP mailbox with an app password — per-provider settings for Gmail, Fastmail, and iCloud.
Mailhopper connects to your mailbox over IMAP (for reading) and SMTP (for sending). Connect an account under Settings → Connect a new account — two ways:
- One-click sign-in for Gmail — approve access at Google, no app password needed.
- App password for any other IMAP mailbox (Fastmail, iCloud, self-hosted, and more).
Microsoft/Outlook mailboxes aren't supported. Microsoft requires OAuth and retired IMAP app passwords, so there's no way to connect an Outlook.com or Microsoft 365 mailbox. Mailhopper supports Gmail (one-click OAuth) and any other IMAP mailbox via password or app password.
One-click sign-in (Gmail)
Click Connect Gmail, sign in at Google, and approve access. Mailhopper never sees your Google password — it receives a revocable access token instead, which is encrypted before it's stored. You can revoke Mailhopper's access anytime from your Google account security settings.
While Mailhopper completes Google's app-verification review, one-click Gmail sign-in is rolling out gradually — if it isn't available for your account yet, connect Gmail with an app password below (that always works).
Connect with an app password
For any mailbox without one-click sign-in — Fastmail, iCloud, self-hosted, or Gmail while one-click is rolling out — use a provider-generated app password.
What you need
Mailhopper tests the connection before saving. If it fails, double-check the app password and the IMAP host.
Provider settings
- Turn on 2-Step Verification in your Google account.
- Create an App password (Google Account → Security → App passwords).
- Connect with:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| IMAP host | imap.gmail.com |
| IMAP port | 993 (TLS) |
| SMTP host | smtp.gmail.com |
| SMTP port | 465 (TLS) |
Also confirm IMAP is enabled in Gmail under Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
After connecting
Mailhopper backfills your recent mail, then keeps a live connection so new messages arrive within seconds. It also syncs your other folders — Sent, Drafts, Junk, Archive, and any custom folders — which appear under Folders in the sidebar.
Removing an account from Mailhopper (Settings → Connected accounts → Remove) deletes only the local copy Mailhopper stored. Your mailbox on the server is never modified.
Renaming an account
Give an account a friendly display name inline under Settings → Connected accounts. It's display-only and doesn't change anything on the server.
