How to create a Gmail app password
Some apps and devices can't use Google's normal sign-in. An app password is a one-off 16-character code that lets them send or read Gmail without your real password.
Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google Account, go to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords, type a name for the app (for example "Printer"), select Create, and copy the 16-character code into the app's password box instead of your normal Gmail password.
When you need an app password
Google recommends using Sign in with Google whenever an app offers it. You only need an app password for software that asks for a plain username and password, such as:
- printers and scanners that scan to email;
- website plugins and contact forms that send through Gmail's SMTP server;
- older email apps and some backup or security-camera systems.
Step by step
- Turn on 2-Step Verification. Go to your Google Account → Security → 2-Step Verification and follow the prompts. App passwords only work on accounts with it turned on.
- Open the App passwords page at
myaccount.google.com/apppasswordsand sign in again if asked. - Name it. Type something that tells you where it is used, such as "Office printer" or "WordPress".
- Select Create. Google shows a 16-character code in a yellow box.
- Paste it into the app where it asks for your password. Spaces in the code don't matter. Use your full Gmail address as the username.
- Select Done. Google won't show the code again, but you rarely need it again: the app remembers it.
Why the App passwords option is missing
Google lists these reasons:
- 2-Step Verification is not turned on.
- Your 2-Step Verification uses only security keys.
- You are signed in to a work or school account, where your administrator controls this.
- Your account has Advanced Protection turned on.
If none of these apply, go to the page directly at myaccount.google.com/apppasswords, because it is not always shown in the Security menu.
If an app password stops working
Changing your Google password revokes every app password. After a password change, create a new app password and enter it in each app again. Also check that the app is using the right server settings, such as smtp.gmail.com on port 465 or 587.
How to remove an app password
Open the App passwords page, find the app, and select Remove (the trash icon). That app loses access right away. Remove any you no longer recognize: each one is a key to your mailbox.
Questions people ask
- How long is a Gmail app password?
- Sixteen characters, shown in four groups of four. You can type it with or without the spaces.
- Can I use an app password without 2-Step Verification?
- No. Google only allows app passwords on accounts with 2-Step Verification turned on.
- Is an app password safe?
- It is safer than giving an app your real password, because it works only for apps that sign in with a password and you can remove it at any time. Treat it like a password and never share it.
- Do I need a new app password for each device?
- It is best to create one for each app or device. Then you can remove one without breaking the others.