Question

How is it possible to configure a Gmail account as an SMTP client for outgoing email messages?

Answer

Gmail accounts have some strict security rules implemented that prevent using Gmail accounts as SMTP clients. A Gmail account can be used as an SMTP client for outgoing messages only if certain changes to the account configuration are done beforehand, as follows:

• Navigate to the Google Account settings and enable Two-Factor authentication (without it an App Password can not be created) - https://myaccount.google.com/security
  
• Navigate to the App Passwords sections and create a unique safe app password for your future SMTP client - https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords
  
• Navigate to your Gmail account settings and enable POP/IMAP access - https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#settings/fwdandpop
  
• Configure the SMTP client as per the documentation with the following settings (Check Gmail through other email platforms - Gmail Help):
  

  Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server

  smtp.gmail.com Requires SSL: Yes Requires TLS: Yes (if available) Requires Authentication: Yes Port for SSL: 465 Port for TLS/STARTTLS: 587

  Instead of using the regular Gmail account password use the app password generated in the previous steps.Im[port