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New GSuite Oauth Requirement for Email Clients

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Hello - I received an email regarding my G Suite account that says starting Feb 15, 2021, G Suite accounts will only allow access to apps using OAuth. Password-based access will no longer be supported.

It goes on to say: If you are using Thunderbird or another email client, re-add your Google Account and configure it to use IMAP with Oauth.

It says if I do not take the above action, when LSA access is discontinued after Feb 15, 2021, I'll begin receiving an error message that my username-password combo is incorrect.

I have personal and business G-mail accounts, both of which I access through Thunderbird. I'm not a techie -- this was all set up for me by someone else -- and I'm unsure about how to "re-add/reconfigure my Google account," and when to implement this -- or is it possible that Thunderbird has already made changes at that end to accommodate this new Oauth requirement?

I'd be eternally grateful for any specific how-to steps you can provide to ensure uninterrupted email service.

Thanks so much! Faith Brill Owner, Instant Karma Dog Training Orange County, CA

Hello - I received an email regarding my G Suite account that says starting '''Feb 15, 2021, G Suite accounts will only allow access to apps using OAuth. Password-based access will no longer be supported.''' It goes on to say: '''If you are using Thunderbird or another email client, re-add your Google Account and configure it to use IMAP with Oauth.''' It says if I do not take the above action, when LSA access is discontinued after Feb 15, 2021, I'll begin receiving an error message that my username-password combo is incorrect. I have personal and business G-mail accounts, both of which I access through Thunderbird. I'm not a techie -- this was all set up for me by someone else -- and I'm unsure about how to "re-add/reconfigure my Google account," and when to implement this -- or is it possible that Thunderbird has already made changes at that end to accommodate this new Oauth requirement? I'd be eternally grateful for any specific how-to steps you can provide to ensure uninterrupted email service. Thanks so much! Faith Brill Owner, Instant Karma Dog Training Orange County, CA

Chosen solution

You don't have to actually re-add the account. Open Tools/Account Settings, select Server Settings for the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) account, change the authentication method to OAuth2. Select Outgoing Server (SMTP) at the bottom left of Account Settings, Edit... the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) smtp server and change the authentication method to OAuth2.

Next, check that cookies are allowed in TB Options/Privacy & Security. In the same section, remove the passwords in Saved Passwords for the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) accounts. Restart TB, enter the account password in the OAuth browser window(s) when prompted to authorize access to the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) accounts. An oauth:// token will be added to Saved Passwords for each account.

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Chosen Solution

You don't have to actually re-add the account. Open Tools/Account Settings, select Server Settings for the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) account, change the authentication method to OAuth2. Select Outgoing Server (SMTP) at the bottom left of Account Settings, Edit... the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) smtp server and change the authentication method to OAuth2.

Next, check that cookies are allowed in TB Options/Privacy & Security. In the same section, remove the passwords in Saved Passwords for the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) accounts. Restart TB, enter the account password in the OAuth browser window(s) when prompted to authorize access to the (gmail, Gsuite, Yahoo or AOL) accounts. An oauth:// token will be added to Saved Passwords for each account.

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Thank you very much for a concise and correct solution. I now have My loved Thunderbird Mail back

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Was this a recent/new email? According to this blog Google had postponed this change until further notice - https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2020/03/less-secure-app-turn-off-suspended.html

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I did this, but when I re-started TB the OAuth browser did not open.