How To Change Gmail Account From Oauth2 To An App Password

[Protocol]

I am using POP Peeper v5.6 and trying to change my Gmail account from Oauth2 to an App Password as announced here, but the guide to switching doesn't actually say how to do it. It only explains how to change the Google account settings and create an App Password.

[mjs]

Guide to switching: https://www.esumsoft.com/pop-peeper/faq/?q=GmailAppPw (the 2nd link, "here", on the page you linked to in your post).

[Protocol]

Hi, mjs.

As mentioned in my first post, it doesn't explain how to switch my Gmail account in POP Peeper. I only explains how to enable 2-Step Verification and create an App Password in my Google account.

I've even tried to create a new Gmail account in POP Peeper, but it keeps wanting to create an Oauth2 account.

[mjs]

Just follow the steps in the link I posted (as they apply to your current "Oauth2" Gmail accounts in PP) specific to the "Gmail: Creating app-passwords" FAQ .

[Protocol]

Just follow the steps in the link I posted (as they apply to your current "Oauth2" Gmail accounts in PP) specific to the "Gmail: Creating app-passwords" FAQ .

I've already done that.

[mjs]

Notice at the bottom of that linked page - quote: "This only affects Gmail accounts using Oauth2.".

If you've created the app-password by following all of the steps as instructed then use that app-password in your Gmail account(s) in PP.

[mjs]

Keep in mind the app-passwords are (created) specifically to be used for PP - you will still continue to use your (former) webmail password when logging into your Gmail accounts on the web (internet) when using the Gmail login page.

[mjs]

Here's another link on the subject: Important Gmail-Oauth2 news Notice the "Recap" (at the bottom of the page).
This only affects POP Peeper’s capability to login using Oauth2 for Gmail (Note: I've added the emphasis i.e. bold/underline edits, to the "Recap" referenced). To clarify, Gmail is still using "Oauth2" - it is just that Gmail will soon be requiring an "app-password" to do so...

[Protocol]

OK. I think it's working.
I replaced my existing password with the App Password, and it appears to be working.

[mjs]

That's good news - thanks for reporting back!

[Jeff]

I think step #4 in the "create the app-password" section may be where you got confused? I've added an extra note to that step for v5.5 users (the upcoming v5.6 will enforce the "password" method). The text in red below has just been added to the FAQ for clarity:

4. Follow the instructions Google provides -- copy the app password; edit the account in POP Peeper and paste it into the "Password" field (if using v5.5 or older, you may need to change the dropdown that's on the right of your "Login name" from 'Oauth2' to 'Password'); press "Update". If you have other accounts using the same login (ie. folders), then you should edit those accounts in POP Peeper and paste the same app password.

If my assumption is wrong, please let me know where I can improve the guide for others who may be reading it.

Edit: I just re-read and realized you said you were using v5.6 (so changing Oauth2 shouldn't have been necessary); in that case, what in the instructions can be improved?

[Jeff]

I've even tried to create a new Gmail account in POP Peeper, but it keeps wanting to create an Oauth2 account.

Are you sure you were using v5.6? I just went though the process of creating a gmail account in v5.6 and at no time did it suggest that Oauth2 was available.

[Protocol]

- v5.6 or newer: edit the account in POP Peeper; if you see a disabled control that says "Password" to the right of your "Login name", this means that Oauth2 is still being used and you need to enter a password. The disabled control will be removed after you save a password. The following image shows a case where Oauth2 is still being used because the “Password” dropdown is visible but disabled:

The instructions say that you need to enter a password. I already had a password in the password field.
Maybe you need to say that the existing password needs to be replaced with your Google account App Password.

[Jeff]

Here's the new text:

- v5.6 or newer: edit the account in POP Peeper; if you see a disabled control that says "Password" to the right of your "Login name", this means that Oauth2 is still being used and you need to update your password (if there's an existing password, it could be your main password which Gmail no longer accepts and so you may still need to create a new app-password). The disabled "password" control will be removed after you save a password. The following image shows a case where Oauth2 is still being used because the "Password" dropdown is visible but disabled:

To be fair, it does and did say "you need to update your password" which suggests it needs to be replaced, but you're right that there are going to be some users whose accounts pre-dated Oauth2 and so the extra clarity is good.

Edit: Ignore the strike-through, I forgot that I had made an extra edit before adding the new text.

[Protocol]

Here's the new text:

- v5.6 or newer: edit the account in POP Peeper; if you see a disabled control that says "Password" to the right of your "Login name", this means that Oauth2 is still being used and you need to update your password (if there's an existing password, it could be your main password which Gmail no longer accepts and so you may still need to create a new app-password). The disabled "password" control will be removed after you save a password. The following image shows a case where Oauth2 is still being used because the "Password" dropdown is visible but disabled:

To be fair, it does and did say "you need to update your password" which suggests it needs to be replaced, but you're right that there are going to be some users whose accounts pre-dated Oauth2 and so the extra clarity is good.

Edit: Ignore the strike-through, I forgot that I had made an extra edit before adding the new text.

I probably would have mentioned that the existing password needs to be replaced with the App Password, but that should be okay.

[mjs]

... If you've created the app-password by following all of the steps as instructed then use that app-password in your Gmail account(s) in PP.

Maybe something like... the above

Actually I do like your version:

...the existing password needs to be replaced with the App Password...

Perhaps with the added caveat - "in the event there is an existing password...".

[Jeff]

Ok, here's the revised text:

edit the account in POP Peeper; if you see a disabled control that says "Password" to the right of your "Login name", this means that Oauth2 is still being used and you need to update your password (if there's an existing password, it could be your main password which Gmail no longer accepts and so you may still need to create a new app-password and use it to replace your existing password in POP Peeper). The disabled "password" control will be removed after you save a password. The following image shows a case where Oauth2 is still being used because the "Password" dropdown is visible but disabled:

[Protocol]

Ok, here's the revised text:

edit the account in POP Peeper; if you see a disabled control that says "Password" to the right of your "Login name", this means that Oauth2 is still being used and you need to update your password (if there's an existing password, it could be your main password which Gmail no longer accepts and so you may still need to create a new app-password and use it to replace your existing password in POP Peeper). The disabled "password" control will be removed after you save a password. The following image shows a case where Oauth2 is still being used because the "Password" dropdown is visible but disabled:

That should do the trick, Jeff.
And thanks for your help, mjs.

[mjs]

I agree!

and you're very welcome, Protocol.

[Mayhem]

If you have multiple Gmail accounts, be careful how fast you try to switch your accounts over. On my second account, I'm getting locked out from changing any security settings.

As soon as I deleted the oAuth connection to POP Peeper in Google, I'm getting a "Insert your security key into the USB port" security screen.

I've never had a security USB key on any of my accounts, and when I try to view or remove the security key (or anything in the security settings), this screen pops up and I'm locked out of my account.

So far, it's been almost 24 hours with no resolution in sight.



When I click the cancel button, the screen behind it gray's out and I can't click any links (to try and verify a different way).