Airmail 5

[sluggo]

Been having a lot of trouble with Apple Mail the last few weeks. It's decided that it doesn't like Gmail accounts for some reason. It would either not retrieve the mail or take an extremely long time to do so.
Several years ago I tried Airmail but for some long forgotten reason returned to Apple Mail. So a couple of days ago I decided to give Airmail another shot. It's working very nicely. Mail from all accounts is retrieved quickly. SpamSieve also seems to work with it.
For $9.99 per year I'll give it a good tryout and see if the happiness continues.

[Paddy]

Are you running the latest version of the OS? (Monterey, at least - Ventura only came out last week). Or it could be other things...

I'd suggest that you try deleting and re-adding the Gmail accounts to Apple Mail if you haven't already. I have probably 15 or more Gmail accounts running in Apple Mail on my iMac and haven't had any issues with any of them.

Another potential fix: 

1. Log into your Gmail accounts in a browser.
 
2. Go to Settings (Gear - top right) -> See all settings -> Labels.
 
3. Uncheck all Show in IMAP boxes

[sluggo]

Are you running the latest version of the OS? (Monterey, at least - Ventura only came out last week). Or it could be other things...

I'd suggest that you try deleting and re-adding the Gmail accounts to Apple Mail if you haven't already. I have probably 15 or more Gmail accounts running in Apple Mail on my iMac and haven't had any issues with any of them.

Another potential fix: 

1. Log into your Gmail accounts in a browser.
 
2. Go to Settings (Gear - top right) -> See all settings -> Labels.
 
3. Uncheck all Show in IMAP boxes

I still use a late 2012 Mini, so it has the latest OS for that model. Although it has been upgraded with solid state drive and maxed out RAM.
I did the delete and re add the account thing. One lesson learned there. It will tell you to open a browser to complete the process. It did nothing with Brave. I had to make Safari the default browser temporarily to add the Gmail accounts back in.
For the time being I'm kinda happy with Airmail so I'll let it ride for now. But your always spot on advice is appreciated.

[Xairbusdriver]

This may be irrelevant to your problem, but it did solve a "Gmail problem" for other Mac users:
On another forum, dedicated to a particular app, many noted problems with Gmail access. Those problems were the result of Gmail requiring stronger password several years ago. All the problems related to Gmail and the app concerned were solved by changing to a 'stronger' password that seemed to satisfy Google.

Never hurts to update/renew/strengthen ones passwords, regardless of where they are used.

[sluggo]

This may be irrelevant to your problem, but it did solve a "Gmail problem" for other Mac users:
On another forum, dedicated to a particular app, many noted problems with Gmail access. Those problems were the result of Gmail requiring stronger password several years ago. All the problems related to Gmail and the app concerned were solved by changing to a 'stronger' password that seemed to satisfy Google.

Never hurts to update/renew/strengthen ones passwords, regardless of where they are used.

I've received a couple of emails from Google about an upcoming 2 step verification becoming mandatory. But it hasn't come to pass yet. Unless I've somehow unintentionally found an override.
Yes, I know it would be more secure. But I'd really rather not have to get a text message verification when I want to check email.

[Xairbusdriver]

2FA is up to you. I'm only suggesting that a new (Gmail approved) password might help.

BTW, how many total emails do you have stored?

Have you ever done a Mailbox -> Rebuild?

[sluggo]

2FA is up to you. I'm only suggesting that a new (Gmail approved) password might help.

BTW, how many total emails do you have stored?

Have you ever done a Mailbox -> Rebuild?

4 email accounts. I recall seeing and doing the rebuild option at some point in the past. But it's probably been a few years.
For now I'm pretty happy with Airmail. I'll see if the joy continues.

[Paddy]

2-step verification with Gmail only applies when you're accessing it in a browser. If you're using a mail app, once you sign in, you should be good.

I did run into the 2-step thing today when I was fixing a problem on my son's MBP and had to log into my own Gmail account in a browser to get a password. So yes, they have indeed implemented it. I expected the verification to go to Messages like everything else does, but nope - it went to the Google app on my phone (which I never use and had to search for!) - it basically requires you to tap "ok" and that's it. No numbers to type in or anything like the bank/CRA etc. So better in that regard, though does mean you need to have the Google app installed.

[sluggo]

2-step verification with Gmail only applies when you're accessing it in a browser. If you're using a mail app, once you sign in, you should be good.

I did run into the 2-step thing today when I was fixing a problem on my son's MBP and had to log into my own Gmail account in a browser to get a password. So yes, they have indeed implemented it. I expected the verification to go to Messages like everything else does, but nope - it went to the Google app on my phone (which I never use and had to search for!) - it basically requires you to tap "ok" and that's it. No numbers to type in or anything like the bank/CRA etc. So better in that regard, though does mean you need to have the Google app installed.

I did receive an email from Google yesterday explaining that the 2 step verification is now in play. But it's good to know that it won't apply to email apps used on my desktop computer.
Also good to know about the Google app. I think I ditched it quite some time ago on my iOS devices and have used DuckDuckGo exclusively for searches. For grins I just went to the Gmail bookmark on Brave. Everything popped up normally and I was not asked for 2 step verification. So for now it appears that I remain signed in there.