How to Setup Gmail in Apple Mail (with two-step verification)

In an effort to enhance its security, Gmail offers two-step verification for Gmail users. In other words, users log in by entering not only the password they created but also by a unique password that is generated by Google for each log in. (Google sends this unique password to Gmail users via free text or voice call).

Since Apple Mail is not yet compatible with 2-step verification and cannot ask for verification codes, you will need to generate an application-specific password. That new password should be used in Apple Mail (rather than your usual personally created password).

This tutorial will illustrate how to 1) generate an application-specific password, 2) enable IMAP in Gmail (to allow Apple Mail to access and synchronize messages with Gmail) and 3) set up Gmail in Apple Mail.

Generate the application-specific password

1. Go to Google's 2-step verification login page. (The link is https://accounts.google.com/IssuedAuthSubTokens)
2. Select 'Manage application-specific passwords'
3. Enter a name to remind you of the specific application to which the new password will apply. Example 'Apple Mail - John' (as pictured below)
4. Click 'Generate' (see image below)
5. Copy the new code that appears. Paste it into the 'password' field of Applie 'Mail' (rather than the usual password that you created).
6. After creating new passwords, you can revoke old passwords that you no longer need.

Enable IMAP in Gmail

In the event that your Gmail settings have not enabled IMAP, use the following steps. IMAP will allow Apple Mail to check Gmail and keep the accounts in sync regardless of your device.

1. Log in to gmail.com
2. Click the gear wheel looking icon (pictured below). You will find it in the top right corner of the screen. 
3. In the dropdown menu, select 'Settings'
4. Select the 'Forwarding and POP / IMAP' tab (pictured below)
5. Select 'Enable IMAP' in the IMAP Access section (pictured below)
   
6. Click Save

Set up Gmail in Apple Mail application

1. Open the Apple Mail application
2. Click 'Mail' from the top menu bar
3. Choose 'Preferences'
4. Select the 'Accounts' tab
5. Click the '+" in the bottom left corner of the Preferences popup window (pictured below)
6. When your full name (ie as you want it to appear in recipients' inbox), email address and password. If you use gmail's 2-step verification security feature, fill the password field with the application-specific password (details about getting Google to generate this password above). Otherwise, enter the password that you created in the 'password' field.
7. You will receive a confirmation that confirms that the gmail account exists and has IMAP enabled (see how to enable IMAP in Gmail above).
8. Click 'Create'
9. You will see dialogue boxes for incoming and then outgoing emails. Enter the following details in both sets of boxes.

Account type:                  IMAP
Email address:                 yourgmailusername@gmail.com
Password:                        Gmail password you created OR, if you use Google's 2-step verification, the application-specific password (details for generating this password above)
username:                         gmail username (DO NOT USE @gmail.com)
Incoming Mail Server:      imap.gmail.com
Outgoing Mail Server:      smtp.gmail.com
Finally, tick the 'Remember this password in my keychain' as shown below.