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#972 Google IMAP error fixed on Android

open
nobody
2021-04-19
2019-08-09
Anonymous
No

Originally created by: Shackledup

The IMAP access error is due to a change in Google's App security - I had a notification that SMS Backup+ wouldn't work after a certain date explaining this.

Solving it is easy.

Create an App specific password in your Google account:
Go to your Google account, select Security from the left menu, select App Passwords in the Signing in to Google box.

At the bottom of the list select the Select app drop down menu - SMS Backup+ won't be there, so select Other.

Type SMS Backup+ in the field and click generate. You'll get a 16 character password.

Now open SMS Backup+ (it's easier if you have the password open on a different device, or maybe write it down if you're doing all of this on the same device.

In SMS Backup+ go to Advanced Settings/Custom IMAP server

Tap Authentication at the top and change it to Plain Text.

Leave the server address as imap.gmail.com:993

Enter your email address.

Enter the app password you generated WITHOUT the spaces.

Make sure Security is on TLS.

You're done, go back to the main SMS Backup+ screen and it should work. Does for me.

Discussion

1 2 > >> (Page 1 of 2)
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-09

    Originally posted by: jasonab

    Thank you for the steps, I wasn't sure where to put that password in. This should be in the README.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-09

    Originally posted by: jasonab

    Sorry, that wasn't a criticism, more of a general statement of "this should be shared more widely."

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: jenbooks

    Worked for me as well! Extra info: You have to have Two-Factor verification turned on for the "app password" option to be available.

    Tip: Authy works just fine - you don't need to be tied to Google Authenticator.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: eohrnberger

    Tried setting up the Google account and SMS Backup+ using these directions.
    The 2 factor authentication was setup successfully, and the app password generated, but not accepted.
    Copy / Pasted the app name 'SMS Backup+' in the web browser, is this a string, along with the 16 random character generated password, that the app presents to Google to gain access?
    Might there be something else that's not 'quite 'right'?

    Are there any plans for SMS Backup+ to support another Google authentication method soon?

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: Conan179

    @eohrnberger App password only working witch IMAP login, not witch browser login!
    2019-08-10 16 13 37
    2019-08-10 16 13 14

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: eohrnberger

    Yes, that's exactly what I did on my phone.
    Checked the 'clear text' password and other parameters, and entered by Google account email address.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: Conan179

    "Copy / Pasted the app name 'SMS Backup+' in the web browser, is this a string, along with the 16 random character generated password, "
    With IMAP login, donst open any browser window.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: eohrnberger

    "Copy / Pasted the app name 'SMS Backup+' in the web browser, is this a string, along with the 16 random character generated password, "
    With IMAP login, donst open any browser window.

    To set the Google account app password, this is the app name that I used, and entered into the browser to setup the app password. I was asking if this was the correct app name for setting up the app password.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: Conan179

    The app password is only for looking on the Site.
    For logging in there is no difference.
    You must enter your email address and app password.
    I have only "Backup" as Appname.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: eohrnberger

    The app password is only for looking on the Site.
    For logging in there is no difference.
    You must enter your email address and app password.
    I have only "Backup" as Appname.
    OK. Got it.
    The 'App Name' connected with the app password is not specific to the app, and the app doesn't present this for authentication to Google. It must only present the random 16 character password.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: eohrnberger

    I access my GMail using Outlook, which Google has determined as 'a less secure app', so I can't have 2 factor authentication turned on. It would disable my Outlook client.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: Conan179

    Outlook need a app passwort two

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: eohrnberger

    Outlook need a app passwort two

    Would rather that SMS Backup+ authenticate without a two factor authentication being required, and app password required.
    Is that possible? Or in future plans for SMS Backup+?

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-10

    Originally posted by: adgorn

    Hey, it worked! Thank you! Lucky I found this thread!

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-12

    Originally posted by: schneemaier

    If you don't have 2 factor enabled, then you can use your normal gmail password, but you have to enable "less secure application" access in your account:
    Go to your Google account, select Security from the left menu, select enable access for less secure applications

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-13

    Originally posted by: eohrnberger

    All set. Thanks for the pointers / hints.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-16

    Originally posted by: PMulvany

    You're a star. It works a treat. Thanks! It's such a great app - would have been a real shame to have lost use of it.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-18

    Originally posted by: rossum

    This is working for me, thanks!

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-20

    Originally posted by: oroboros

    Please add this to the Google Playstore and your website descriptions. It took me forever to find how to solve this problem!

    Question: Do I need to save the Google generated app password if I reinstall the app later? What problems might I face if we generate a new password later for this app (if even we can)?

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-21

    Originally posted by: easp3400

    I want to thank all of you for helping me get SMS Backup+ running again. I am not a coder, so no way could I have figured this out in a million years. Those of you that designed the work around are pretty dang cool in my book. It is a terrific app and I hope we can use it forever, or until the world stops turning, whichever comes first. @jberkel YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR and your SMS Backup+ app is the bomb!

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-23

    Originally posted by: turkeyphant

    Thanks, the OP worked and it's finally fixed again.

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-24

    Originally posted by: MaudMo

    Hi everyone, I followed the procedure and the back up starts. Nothing happens on Gmail, though. Sms are not exported. Can someone help me? Thanks 🥰

     
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous - 2019-08-28

    Originally posted by: vttale

    Note that although the text describes it as a 16 character password, it is displayed as a 19 character password because of spaces. If you copy and paste it will copy only the 16 characters, but if you're entering it manually then do so without the spaces.

     
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