You can access your University provided Gmail account through one of several third-party desktops and/or mobile email apps such as Outlook, Thunderbird, or AppleMail. This article provides essential information for setting up a desktop or smartphone app. While we provide instructions on how to set up email clients, OIT does not support them.
- Note: While third-party email apps are allowed for most accounts, The University recommends you access your UMN Email through Webmail or the official Gmail App for smartphones and Tablets available in the Play Store and iTunes.
- If you access sensitive Personal Health Information (PHI) WILL NOT be able to use third-party email apps. Please refer to Google Apps for Accounts with Access to HIPAA or Other Sensitive Data
You will need to complete two major steps to receive or send email through a third-party email app:
Configure Your Account to Use Email Apps by Enabling IMAP
- Log in to your UMN Email account.
- Click on the Settings gear icon in the upper right corner of your inbox.
- Click Settings in the dropdown menu that opens.
- Click on the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab at the top of the Settings page that opens.
- Select Enable IMAP within the IMAP access section.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Changes.
Note: Many apps also require you to turn on Less Secure Apps (even if the app worked previously; Apple Mail, for example).
Configure Your Email App
- If you are in the BAA:
- If you are not in the BAA:
- Please select the application you would like to configure and follow the appropriate guide from the list below.
- Android Device (Gmail App)
- Mozilla Thunderbird
- Outlook
- Apple Mail (For laptops and desktops)
- Apple Mail (For iPhones and iPads)
- Samsung Mail
- Windows Phone
- Windows Mail on AD (University Computer)
- Please select the application you would like to configure and follow the appropriate guide from the list below.
Note: Depending on what version you have, there may be some minor differences between the instructions in the application guide you follow and what you see on your device. If you would like assistance with following the guide instructions please contact the Technology Help Desk.
Incoming Mail Settings
- Server type: IMAP
- Server/Host: imap.gmail.com
- Port number: 993 and select Use SSL
- Thunderbird users must select Authentication type OAuth2.
- Username: Use your full email address ([email protected])
- Password: Use your Internet password
- Authentication method: Password
- Mail check interval: 15 minutes or longer
Outgoing Mail Settings
- Server/Host: smtp.gmail.com
- Port number and security: 587 and select TLS/STARTTLS or 465 and select Use SSL
- Thunderbird users must select Authentication type OAuth2.
- Some Mac laptops use Port 587 in conjunction with the Override default port option (rather than 465 port); see Apple's online communities for details.
- Username: Use your full email address ([email protected])
- Password: Use your Internet password
- Authentication method: Password
- For Outlook setup:
- Click the Advanced Settings option
- Select SMTP authenticates every time
- For Outlook setup: