Allow less secure apps

By Thomas Underwood 🕗 Updated on April 17, 2025 at 8:00 am

Automation Workshop FAQ—simple answers to complex questions.

Note: starting January 2025, less secure apps, third-party apps, or devices that have you sign in with only your username and password will no longer be supported for Google Workspace accounts · More info on Google

To use Google's SMTP server for sending email with Automation Workshop, follow the very simple set-up process… Enable Google App passwords for SMTP.

Alternatively, Microsoft's SMTP still supports AUTH PLAIN/LOGIN authentication methods for its Azure SMTP server · Create an Azure free account to get started.

For modern and secure authentication, Automation Workshop also supports OAuth 2.0 for sending emails via SMTP. This method is recommended for Google and Microsoft accounts, as it eliminates the need to store or transmit plain-text passwords. OAuth 2.0 can be configured using the API Keys & Credentials Manager within the app, and it ensures compliance with updated security requirements from major email providers.

Less secure?

• Q: When Automation Workshop sends an email using Gmail's SMTP server, the sending fails with the error message "Allow less secure apps". What does it mean?
• A: Gmail considers regular email programs and backup programs to be "less secure", so in order for them to get access into your account, your "Allow less secure apps" option must be turned on.
  If you are a Google Workspace (Google Apps, G Suite) user, you can use App Passwords instead of your regular login credentials, all this without changing the "Allow less secure apps" setting.

Explanation

Before sending login credentials (username and password) to Gmail (smtp.gmail.com or smtp.googlemail.com), Automation Workshop always establishes secure connection (using SSL or STARTTLS). This is the only way how automated email sending works.

Without enabling the Less Secure Apps setting, Gmail expects that a user is sitting at the computer all the time, and is ready to enter authentication information. Automated servers usually do not have a physical display where a password prompt can be shown.

To change Automation Workshop global email settings, use email server options. Additionally, you can use different credentials for each Task, using email credentials within Send Email Action.

Additional resources

• Less secure apps · section of your Google Account.
• Let less secure apps access your account · Google account help.
• Allow or disallow less secure apps to access accounts · G Suite Administrator Help Center.
• SMTP settings for using Gmail with regular email client software · Gmail help.
• Can now only access Gmail account on Thunderbird if Google secure apps is switched off · Mozilla support forum.

Popular SMTP settings

• Outlook
• Office 365
• Google
• Gmail
• Yahoo
• iCloud
• Windows Mail and Mozilla Thunderbird apps.
• OAuth 2.0

Still have questions?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our support team.