proper gmail setup (iphone & mac)

since the official google setup instructions (apple mail 3.0 here, ipod touch & iphone here) are rather scarce, we thought we clarify a few things…

1. gmail account setup

on both your mac & mobile device use the following information to get the account setup on both your mac & iphone:

  • incoming server: imap.gmail.com
  • outgoing server: smtp.gmail.com
  • authentication: youremail@gmail.com + youremail password
  • use secure socket layer (SSL)
  • ports: 587 outgoing, 993 incoming
  • IMAP path prefix: [Google Mail]

2. apple mail 3.0

upon successful setup of your gmail account it will appear in the left sidebar. to ensure proper folder mapping open the folder by clicking on the triangle to the left hand side and do the following:

  • select ‘[Google Mail] Sent Mail’ in the sidebar and go to ‘Mailbox’ > ‘Use This Mailbox For’ > ‘Sent’ in the menubar;
  • select ‘[Google Mail] Drafts’ in the sidebar and go to ‘Mailbox’ > ‘Use This Mailbox For’ > ‘Drafts’ in the menubar;
  • select ‘[Google Mail] Bin’ in the sidebar and go to ‘Mailbox’ > ‘Use This Mailbox For’ > ‘Trash’ in the menubar;
  • select ‘[Google Mail] Spam’ in the sidebar and go to ‘Mailbox’ > ‘Use This Mailbox For’ > ‘Junk’ in the menubar;

3. iphone / ipod touch

similarly you need to do the same on your mobile devices…

  • open ‘Settings’ > ‘Mail’ > [Your Gmail IMAP account] > ‘Advanced’
  • select ‘Drafts Mailbox’ > ‘On the Server’ > ‘[Gmail] Drafts’. return to the ‘Advanced’ view.
  • select ‘Sent Mailbox’ > ‘On the Server’ > ‘[Gmail] Sent Mail’. return to the ‘Advanced’ view.
  • select ‘Deleted Mailbox’ > ‘On the Server’ > ‘[Gmail] Trash’. return to the ‘Advanced’ view.

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