Starting this month (January 2026), it will no longer be possible for Gmail users to retrieve email accounts from other mail providers in Gmail via POP3. This change applies to Gmail on desktop (web version). The mobile Gmail app will continue to support retrieving email from external accounts, but will use IMAP instead of POP3.
Google announced this change in an official support document. According to a Dutch Google spokesperson, this information has actually been published for some time now. In the support notice, Google indicates that the use of email accounts from other providers within the Gmail app will remain possible. It is not yet entirely clear at this moment whether this applies exclusively to the mobile apps for Android and iOS, or if the web version of Gmail is also included.
In addition to discontinuing POP3 support, Google is also ending support for Gmailify. With Gmailify, users could link email accounts from other providers, such as Yahoo, AOL, Outlook, and Hotmail, to Gmail and utilize specific Gmail functionalities. Examples include improved spam filtering and the automatic organization of emails in the inbox. These features will be discontinued for external mail accounts once Gmailify is no longer supported.
IMAP will remain available and ensures the synchronization of email messages between the mail server and one or more email programs. Unlike POP3, where emails are retrieved locally and potentially deleted from the server, with IMAP, messages remain on the server and are accessible on multiple devices simultaneously.
Gmail is discontinuing POP, what now?
If you currently read emails via POP in the web version of Gmail, this will soon no longer be supported. This applies from sometime in 2026 if you already have an account. It is therefore important to choose an alternative quickly. You have two options:
You take out a paid subscription with Google Workspace. This means letting Gmail take over the management of your emails; this will no longer be handled via MDWX. Depending on the subscription you choose, you can also use other Google services. Think of the extended version of Gemini or extra meeting options for Google Meet.
You switch to another email service, such as Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird.
If you have multiple email accounts, you often need multiple Google Workspace accounts. This can be quite expensive, and the accounts remain separate. Therefore, in that case, it is sometimes wiser to look at an email service other than Gmail.
Please note: you can continue to use the Gmail app. It works with IMAP, not POP. Apart from that, you can always continue to use our webmail.
Or use eM Client
