Last week, I updated my annual guide to backing up Gmail for 2020. Select Settings from the menu. After puzzling over this for a while, I eventually entered the regular (two-factor) password and the passcode from my Google Authenticator iOS app.Log into your Gmail account using the web interface and click on the gear icon located near the top-right of the screen. When I created a new application password, Apple Mail repeated rejected it. I have two factor authentication set up, and an application-password for the account.When it comes to using Gmail at home or on a Mac laptop, you may prefer to use Apple’s Mail application. Gmail’s web-based interface works fine for most people, who can use any computing device to access their webmail. This time, I also got a letter from ZDNet reader Carmela, who asks:Gmail and Apple Mail.Is there a simple-to-use app that can actively backup my personal Gmail account to my Mac?As it turns out, there is a program that does just what Carmela asks for. I don't want to pay another fee and I don't want yet another cloud provider to have my email. I don't like the idea of backing up Gmail to another cloud provider. Click the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab. In the top right, click Settings Settings and then See all settings.
It will store it in a mbox format, which allows the Mail Archiver X client to browse and search messages as if it were an email client. But, according to the program's author, the version most folks will want is the Standard edition that has a one-time $44.95 fee.Mail Archiver X will archive emails from many email clients (Apple Mail, Outlook, and Thunderbird) as well as cloud accounts like Gmail and Exchange (although you can only backup Exchange via your email client).I, of course, was concerned specifically about personal Gmail account backup.The program will store emails in a variety of formats. Mail Archiver XThere are several versions of Mail Archiver X, including a free 10-day demo mode and a pro server mode. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough on getting started. I brought in a copy and put it through the test. ![]() Settings For Gmail License Registration FileThen, go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab. Find the Settings item under the Gear icon and select it. Before you try to connect Mail Archiver X to Gmail, you'll need to make sure you can use this interface.To do so, go to your web-based Gmail interface. It took a double-click and the application was ready to run.I then dragged and dropped the license registration file onto the registration screen to enable unrestricted use of the Standard edition:The way Mail Archiver X does its magic with Gmail is using Gmail's IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) interface. Once I downloaded the application from the company's online site, I ran the installer. Choose IMAP Account:You'll first need to enter your IMAP information from Gmail:Here are a few notes. You'll need it in a few minutes.Once you launch Mail Archiver X, you'll be presented with this start screen:You'll want to tap the Setup Wizard and you'll be given a choice. It's also the only way you can let outside applications access your Gmail if you have multi-factor authentication enabled.Still in Gmail, hit your user profile icon and then choose Manage your Google Account:Choose the Security tab at the right, then click App passwords:You'll want to select "Other" from the Select app dropdown, and then enter the name Mail Archiver X.You'll be presented with a one-time-use password. This is how you can let third-party apps connect to your Gmail account without giving them your primary password. Once you do, scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Changes.Next, you'll want to set up an App password for Gmail. Just check that one option and hit Next.This is where you choose your format. I strongly recommend you select Archive All Mailboxes because that's why you're doing this whole process. Make sure Server Name is set to imap.gmail.com, Authentication is set to Password, Port is set to 993, and SSL is checked.This is where you choose the mailboxes you want to backup. Gmail presents the one-time-use password with spaces, but you don't need them. You can backup multiple Gmail accounts, so it's a good idea to make this clear and simple.Your username is your Gmail email address and your password is that one-time-use password you created earlier. Mozilla thunderbird free download for macFirst, note that I put my Gmail Archives directory on my external Drobo 8D RAID. Tap the Format icon to change the format.Let's look at a few things here. Here's that initial choice in a screenshot:I hit Done to finish the wizard then opened up the Settings panel. ![]() Let's talk about scheduling. So far, I have about 13,000 emails downloaded (it's going to take me a few days to fully download my Gmail), and I can open the folder and browse messages.OK. But, hey, for now, it's working. I'd recommend offering the ability to break emails up into folders organized by year and month, at the very least. Fortunately, that's an easy fix. So, if the backup fails, I really don't know if I'll find out.Oddly enough, Mail Archiver X doesn't have a menu bar icon or a built-in way to launch the application when you boot your machine. I put in my email address, but without a Test Email option, I can't be sure email from the app can be delivered to me. I'll talk more about that in a moment.One failure point on this tab is the Email Notification option. I've set mine for Daily and 4am.I did not enable Quit when finished because I always want backups to run. This is where you can tell Mail Archiver X how often to backup. ![]() Be sure to follow me on Twitter at on Facebook at Facebook.com/DavidGewirtz, on Instagram at Instagram.com/DavidGewirtz, and on YouTube at YouTube.com/DavidGewirtzTV. Overall, it seems to do the job.Are you archiving your email? What tools are you using? Let us know in the comments below.You can follow my day-to-day project updates on social media. We like supporting the efforts of individual developers, and Mail Archiver X only has a few nitpicks against it.
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