Setting up Email and Calendar apps to use OAuth
On September 30, 2024, Google will strengthen its security standards by blocking all third-party applications that use less secure methods for logins—for Google, this means any application that does not use OAuth as an authentication method.
On this page, we share guidance on how to ensure continuous access for commonly-used email apps and the Google Calendar and Workspace apps. More background information is available in our email announcement, Google to block access to apps that do not use OAuth (opens in new window) .
Background information
OAuth stands for open authorization and helps to keep your TMU Google account secure.
When an app uses OAuth, this means it does not need Google to reveal your TMU username and password to the app, and instead uses an access token to gain authorization to log you in.
Common apps and services that could become disabled include:
- Email clients such as Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail, which use a password to access Gmail.
- Copiers or scanners using simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) to send emails of scanned items using your TMU Google password credentials.
- Any less secure apps that require your TMU Google password for access instead of OAuth.
If you are using your TMU Google account to access apps that have not incorporated OAuth into its login process, you are encouraged to either:
- update settings in your apps to enable OAuth or, if unavailable;
- switch to a more secure app that offers the OAuth login process.
Set up OAuth for email applications
If you are using Microsoft Outlook 2016 or an earlier version, consider moving to an email client that supports OAuth access:
- Moving to Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365, a web-based version of Outlook);
- Outlook for Windows or Mac.
- Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook (external link, opens in new window) .
If you are using Mozilla Thunderbird or another email client, you can re-add your Google Account and configure it to use IMAP with OAuth. For guidance on how to do so, please follow instructions on the Read Gmail Messages on Mozilla Thunderbird page (opens in new window) .
If you use the native MacOS or iOS mail apps or Microsoft Outlook for Mac, you’ll need to remove and re-add your TMU Gmail account. Find guidance on how to:
- Remove email accounts on macOS (opens in new window)
- Read Gmail Messages on Apple Mail (opens in new window)
- Sync Google Workspace to Your Apple iOS Device (opens in new window)
When adding back your email account, be sure to select the option to “Sign in with Google”. Doing so will automatically use the OAuth login process.
Set up OAuth for Google Calendar and Workspace apps
To ensure continuous access to your TMU Google Calendar, please ensure your setup configuration uses OAuth authentication instead of a username and password combination.
You may need to remove your TMU Google account from the app and re-add the service using the option to “Sign in with Google”. Doing so will automatically use the OAuth login process. Find guidance on how to: