How to Access Gmail With Outlook for Mac

Configure Gmail in Outlook for Mac

by
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Heinz Tschabitscher
Updated on April 12, 2021
reviewed by
Jessica Kormos headshot
Jessica Kormos
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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Article reviewed on Feb 24, 2021
Jessica Kormos
  • Enable IMAP on the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab in Gmail.
  • Enter your Gmail credentials in the New Account section of Outlook and follow the prompts to complete.

The process below sets Outlook for Mac to synchronize with Gmail, including all mail and labels, so that you enjoy all the best features of both the app and the service. Instructions apply to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2011, and Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac.

Enable IMAP in Gmail

Set up as an IMAP account, Gmail in Outlook for Mac not only receives and sends mail; it also accesses all your old Gmail messages. The first step is enabling IMAP in Gmail:

  1. Select the Settings icon and then Settings.

    Gmail settings

  2. Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.

    The Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab in Gmail settings

  3. Select Enable IMAP and Save changes.

    Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab in Gmail

Set Up Gmail in Outlook

Next, open Outlook for Mac and follow these steps:

  1. Select Outlook > Preferences > Accounts. In Outlook for Mac 2011, go to Tools > Accounts.

    Outlook menu showing Preferences

  2. On the Accounts screen, select the plus sign (+) in the lower-left corner, and then New Account.

  3. Enter your Gmail address and password where prompted.

    ​If you have 2-step authentication enabled for Gmail, create and use an application password specific for Outlook for Mac.

    Outlook for Mac Gmail setup

  4. Select Allow.

    Click Allow to permit Microsoft to access your Google account

  5. Select Open Microsoft Outlook in the popup window that appears.

    Open Microsoft Outlook to complete the account addition process

  6. Wait as Outlook completes the process. Then, click or tap Done.

What Gmail in Outlook for Mac Lets You Do and Access

Messages that have been assigned a label (or more than one) in Gmail on the web appear in folders in Outlook for Mac. Likewise, if you copy a message in Outlook to a folder, it appears under the corresponding label in Gmail; if you move a message, it is removed from the corresponding label (or the inbox) in Gmail.

Under Junk E-mail, you have access to your Gmail Spam label; drafts, deleted, and sent messages are in the Outlook for Mac Drafts, Deleted Items, and Sent Items folders, respectively.

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