Setup SMTP - General Application

Objective

The objective of this article is to walk you through how to setup SMTP in most applications.

Each application is different. If there is a step or piece of information that this article didn't point out please contact the tsc@ucmo.edu

Requirements

  • Email address with 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) Enabled
    • This is the address you are wanting to use for the application
    • If you are not sure the address has 2FA turned on please contact the tsc@ucmo.edu
  • Host name
    • smtp.gmail.com
  • Port
    • 587
  • Security Protocol
    • TLS
  • Username
    • This is the email address
  • Password
    • The password will be generated during the instructions

Depending on the application you might need less or more information. The items listed above are common across most SMTP setups.

If you do not know how to obtain additional information please contact the tsc@ucmo.edu

Instructions

Before we get started make sure you are using either an incognito/private window or use a completely different browser from your typical use.

This is to avoid issues of cookies impeding the process.

How to setup 2FA

These instructions assume that you know you have a 2FA enabled account ready to use.

  1. Open the account by going to accounts.google.com and sign in
  2. Navigate to the "Security" section of the settings
    1. As of writing this is a tab at the top of the screen
  3. Find the section labeled "Signing in to Google"
  4. Select "2-Step Verification" (this is the same as 2FA, just different wording)
  5. Click "Get Started" and follow the guided instructions.
  6. Once you have 2FA / 2SV setup we can now move to setting up an App Password.

How to create an App Password

  1. In the same security section you were in for the 2FA (Signing in to Google) and find "App Password"
  2. You will be prompted to "Select App" and "Select device"
  3. Select "Other (Custom name)" for both
  4. "Select App" type in the name of the application we are making this password for
  5. "Select device" simply type "desktop"
    1. These are purely for organizational purposes in the event you have multiple app passwords
  6. Once both are filled hit "Generate"
  7. You will see a pop up showing you a password. WRITE THIS DOWN!
    1. You will only ever see this once, after that if you forget you must generate a new one.
  8. Now onto the final step, setting up the SMTP in the app

Setting up the SMTP in the Application

  1. Navigate to the setting section of the application where the configuration for the SMTP is
  2. Fill in all the information it asks for
    1. The "Host Name" is : smtp.gmail.com
    2. When it asks for a "Username" & "Password" use:
      1. Username : email address you made the app password with
      2. Password : The app password you generated earlier
  3. Once all the information is filled perform a test to make sure everything is operational.

If you have further questions please contact the tsc@ucmo.edu

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