Gmail Exchange ActiveSync Settings

Google Sync uses Exchange to sync all your data

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by Heinz Tschabitscher
An independent writer who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated July 14, 2019

Gmail Exchange ActiveSync server settings enable you to access incoming messages and online folders in an Exchange-enabled email program. This is true whether the email client is on a phone, tablet, or another device.

Once enabled, Gmail uses Microsoft's Exchange technology and ActiveSync protocol to form what's called Google Sync to keep not only your emails in sync between your online account and device but also your calendar events and contacts. This feature lets you see the same information on all your connected devices.

Google supports Google Sync (and the Exchange ActiveSync protocol) for Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education. If you're not one of those users, you cannot set up a new Google Sync connection that uses Exchange ActiveSync.

Gmail Exchange ActiveSync Settings

  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync server address: m.google.com
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync domain: google
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync user name: Your full email address (e.g. me@gmail.com)
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync password: Your Gmail password
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync TLS/SSL required: yes

If you can't get these server settings to work for your personal Gmail account or free Google Apps account, it's because Google no longer allows those users to set up new accounts with Exchange ActiveSync. Instead, only existing Google Sync EAS connections can use these settings. Support for new users ended January 30, 2013. However, with the launch of CardDAV, you can gain similar access via IMAP, CalDAV and CardDAV.

Benefits of Using Gmail Exchange ActiveSync

Using ActiveSync, you can receive new email messages in real-time as well as calendar information, contacts, and tasks, provided your account has access to Exchange ActiveSync.

More Help With Using Gmail Exchange ActiveSync

Free Gmail users can access Gmail on their mobile devices through POP3 or IMAP; sending mail through Gmail requires SMTP.

iPhone and other iOS users who want to set up their Gmail account through Exchange should contact their administrator for details on how the settings above should be used. For example, if your G Suite account is configured to auto-sync after you sign in to a Google app, logging in with the Google Device Policy app should be enough to sync all your data.

However, you might need to add a new email account to the device by selecting Exchange from the list of new accounts (not Google, Gmail, Other, or any other option), and then enter the information from above. From there, you can choose what to sync: emails, contacts, and calendar events.

If you see an "Invalid Password" message on iOS, you might need to unlock your Google account by solving a CAPTCHA. Also, if your deleted emails are archiving instead of deleting, turn on the Enable "Delete Email As Trash" for this device option from your Google Sync settings.

A similar process is necessary for setting up Google Sync on a BlackBerry device so that it can connect to your Google account over Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync. When asked about a new account to add, select Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync or something with a similar name. The settings above are the same for BlackBerry devices. 

It might take up to a full day to sync all your information if you've just recently signed up for G Suite, Education, or Government. You can open a Google app to force a sync, like the Mail, Contacts, or Calendar app.