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🔑 Generate a Google App Password for SMTP/IMAP

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Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

📋 Overview

Google App Passwords let you authorize third-party tools like OTTO PPC to send and receive email on your behalf without sharing your main Google account password. You must complete every step below exactly as described — skipping any step is the most common reason setup fails.

Before you start: Google App Passwords are only available if your Google account has 2-Step Verification (2FA) turned on. If 2FA is not yet enabled, follow the steps in the Enable 2-Step Verification section first.

✅ Step 1 — Enable 2-Step Verification (if not already active)

  1. Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in to the Google account you want to use for your campaign.
  2. Click Security in the left-hand navigation panel.
  3. Under the How you sign in to Google section, click 2-Step Verification.
  4. Click Get started and follow the on-screen prompts to complete 2FA enrollment.
  5. Once finished, you will see a green confirmation that 2-Step Verification is On. Return to the Security page to continue.

🔐 Step 2 — Open the App Passwords Page

  1. While still on the Security page of your Google Account (myaccount.google.com/security), scroll down to the How you sign in to Google section.
  2. Click 2-Step Verification to open that section.
  3. Scroll to the very bottom of the 2-Step Verification page until you see the App passwords option.
  4. Click App passwords. You may be prompted to re-enter your Google account password — do so to continue.

Note: If you do not see App passwords, your account may be managed by a Google Workspace administrator who has disabled this feature. Contact your IT or Google Workspace admin to enable it.

⚙️ Step 3 — Create the App Password

  1. On the App passwords page, enter a descriptive name in the text field to identify this password (for example: OTTO PPC SMTP).
  2. Click the Create button to generate your app password.

📋 Step 4 — Copy the Generated Password

  1. A dialog will appear on screen displaying a 16-character password made up of four groups of four letters (for example: abcd efgh ijkl mnop).
  2. Copy the full 16-character password immediately. Use the copy button if shown, or highlight all characters manually and copy them.
  3. Store this password somewhere safe — Google will not show it to you again after you close the dialog.

🔗 Step 5 — Enter the App Password in OTTO PPC

  1. Return to the OTTO PPC email setup screen where you are configuring your SMTP/IMAP connection.
  2. When prompted for your Gmail password, paste the 16-character app password instead of your regular Google account password.
  3. Complete any remaining fields in the setup screen and save your settings.

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.