Command Line Email FAQ—simple answers to complex questions.
My question
- Q: When Command Line Email sends an email using Gmail's smtp server, the sending fails with the error message "Allow less secure apps". What does it mean?
- A: Gmail considers regular email programs and backup programs to be "less secure", so in order for them to get access into your account, your "Allow less secure apps" option must be turned on.
If you are a Google Workspace user, you can use App Passwords instead of your regular login credentials, all this without changing the "Allow less secure apps" setting.
Explanation
Before sending login credentials (a username and a password) to Gmail (smtp.gmail.com or smtp.googlemail.com), Command Line Email always establishes a secure connection (using SSL or STARTTLS commands). This is the way how automated email sending works. The server may not have a physical display where to show the password prompt.
Additional resources
- Enable Google App passwords for SMTP.
- Less secure apps · section of your Google Account.
- Let less secure apps access your account · Google account help.
- Allow or disallow less secure apps to access accounts · G Suite Administrator Help Center.
- SMTP settings for using Gmail with regular email client software · Gmail help.
- Can now only access Gmail account on Thunderbird if Google secure apps is switched off · Mozilla support forum.
Have a question?
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our support team.