Gmail Exchange ActiveSync Settings

Google Sync uses Exchange to sync all your data

by Heinz Tschabitscher
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
Updated November 12, 2019

Gmail Exchange ActiveSync server settings 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 the Microsoft Exchange technology and ActiveSync protocol to form what's called Google Sync to keep your emails, calendar events, and contacts in sync between your online account and device. Access your files and data from any device and from any place you have access to the internet.

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Google supports Google Sync (and the Exchange ActiveSync protocol) for Google Apps for Business, Government, and Education. Only these users can set up a new Google Sync connection that uses Exchange ActiveSync.

Gmail Exchange ActiveSync Settings

The Gmail Exchange ActiveSync settings are:

  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync server address: m.google.com
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync domain: google
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync username: Your full email address (for example, me@gmail.com)
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync password: Your Gmail password
  • Gmail Exchange ActiveSync TLS/SSL required: yes

If these server settings don't work for your personal Gmail account or free Google Apps account, it's because Google doesn't allow personal and free users to set up new accounts with Exchange ActiveSync. Only existing Google Sync EAS connections can use these settings. Support for new users ended January 30, 2013. However, with CardDAV, similar access can be gained using 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

iPhone and other iOS users who want to set up a Gmail account through Exchange should contact their administrator for details on how the settings 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 your data.

Free Gmail users can access Gmail on a mobile device through POP3 or IMAP. To send mail through Gmail, use SMTP.

To add a new email account to the device, select Exchange from the list of new accounts (not Google, Gmail, Other, or any other option), then enter the Gmail Exchange ActiveSync settings information. From there, choose what to sync, for example, emails, contacts, and calendar events.

If the Invalid Password message appears on iOS, unlock your Google account by solving a CAPTCHA. Also, if deleted emails are archived instead of deleted, go to the Google Sync settings and turn on Enable "Delete Email As Trash" for this device.

A similar process is necessary to set up Google Sync on a BlackBerry device so that it can connect to a 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 Gmail Exchange ActiveSync settings are the same for BlackBerry devices. 

It may take a day to sync your information if you recently signed up for G Suite, Education, or Government. Open a Google app such as Mail, Contacts, or Calendar to force a sync.