Introduction

This article describes how to set up, configure, or connect a desktop email client or mobile device to access Gmail. It only applies to alumni and retirees with Gmail.

Contents

• Browser (Recommended)
• Desktop or Laptop Computers
  
  • Outlook client for Windows
  • Outlook client for Mac OS
• Mobile Devices
  
  • Gmail App for iOS
  • Gmail App for Android
• Other Clients and Mobile Devices

Instructions

Web browser (recommended)

4Help recommends you access VT Gmail with a Web browser by following the instructions at Accessing Virginia Tech (VT) Gmail in a Browser.

Outlook client for Windows

1. Set up Gmail 2-step verification and generate an app password by following the instructions at Configuring Virginia Tech Gmail for Secondary Applications.
2. Verify that IMAP is enabled by following the instructions on Google's Check Gmail through other email platforms page.
3. Start Outlook desktop.
4. Click File.
5. Click Add Account.
6. In the Email address text box, type: ABC@vt.edu.
   (Replace ABC with your VT Username.)
7. Below the text box, click Advanced options.
8. Place a check in the Let me set up my account manually check box.
9. Click Connect.
10. Click Google.
11. Configure the settings.
    
    1. Under Incoming mail:
       
       1. In the Server: text box, type: imap.gmail.com.
       2. In the Port text box, clear the text.
       3. In the Port text box, type: 993.
       4. From the Encryption method drop-down, click SSL/TLS.
    2. Under Outgoing mail:
       
       1. In the Server text box, type: smtp.gmail.com.
          
       2. In the Port text box, clear the text.
       3. In the Port text box, type: 465.
       4. From the Encryption method drop-down, click SSL/TLS.
    3. Click Next.
    4. In the Password text box, type the Gmail App Password that you generated above.
       (You can include the spaces or not include the spaces; it does not matter.)
       Important: Do not use your VT Username passphrase.
    5. Click Connect.
12. Once the account is successfully added, click Done.

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Outlook client for Mac OS

1. Verify that IMAP is enabled by following the instructions on Google's Check Gmail through other email platforms page.
2. Start adding a new account to the Outlook client.
   
   1. Start Outlook.
   2. If you do not see the Welcome to Outlook window with Add Email Account
      
      1. From the Tools drop-down, click Accounts....

         

      2. In the lower-left of the window, click the plus sign (+).

         

      3. From the drop-down, click New Account....
3. In the text box, type: ABC@vt.edu.
   (Replace ABC with your VT Username.)
4. Click Continue.
5. If a VT login window appears, close the window. Do not enter any information in the window.
6. If the Connecting to Office 365 window appears, in the top-right corner, click Not Office 365?.
7. Under Choose the provider for, click Google.
8. Click Continue.
9. In the browser window that appears, complete authentication with to the Virginia Tech Login service with your VT Username and VT Username passphrase and authenticating with your second factor.
   
10. If prompted that "Microsoft apps & services wants to access your Google account", click Allow.
11. In the Launch Application window:
    
    1. Click Outlook.
    2. Click Open.
12. Once the account has been added, click Done.

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Gmail App for Android

Google recommends downloading the Gmail app from the Google Play store and using it.

For instructions on configuring the Gmail app to connect to your VT Gmail account, refer to the Google's Sign in to Gmail page, and click the Android heading.

When signing in, remember to use ABC@vt.edu and your VT Username passphrase.

(If an extra space character was added at the end by autocorrect, delete the extra space.)

(If you forgot your passphrase, follow the instructions at Reset VT Username (PID) Passphrase.)

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Gmail App for iOS (Apple iPhone / iPad)

1. On your mobile device, in the App Store, download and install the Gmail - Email by Google app.
2. Once the Gmail app is installed, start the Gmail app.
3. At the bottom of the screen, tap SIGN IN or ADD ACCOUNT.
4.  In the Email or phone text box, type: ABC@vt.edu.
   (Replace ABC with your VT Username.)
   (If an extra space character was added at the end by autocorrect, delete the extra space.)
5. Tap NEXT.
6. You will be redirected to the Virginia Tech Login service page.
7. In the Username text box, type your VT Username.
   
8. In the Password text box, type your VT Username passphrase.
9. Click Login.
10. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete authentication with your second factor.
11. If prompted to allow notifications, tap the button corresponding to your choice.
12. If a tutorial appears, tap GOT IT.

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Other Clients and Mobile Devices

Due to the wide variety of mail clients for mobile computing devices, 4Help can only provide the most basic configuration settings. We do not guarantee that they will work with your particular device or client. However, most devices do work with these settings. If you have trouble configuring your device or client using these settings, contact your mobile device service provider.

The settings are:

• Username: ABC@vt.edu
  (Replace ABC with your VT Username.)
  (If an extra space character was added at the end by autocorrect, delete the extra space.)
• Password:
  
  • If you are on a Virginia Tech Login service screen with Virginia Tech logos and branding, use your VT Username passphrase.
  • If you are on a Google page with Google logos and branding or if you are in any kind of manual configuration without any logos and branding, use a Gmail App Password that you generate specifically for that email client.
• Incoming server: imap.gmail.com
• Incoming server uses SSL on port 993.
• Outgoing SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com
• Outgoing server requires either:
  
  • SSL/TLS on port 465
  • StartTLS on port 587

For more information, see Google's Use IMAP to check Gmail on other email client's page.

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