How to set up Gmail SMTP with 2-Step Verification On Your Forms

In order to configure your SMTP email server with Gmail, you need to enable on your Google account 2-step Verification and use an app password instead of your Google account’s normal password.
An app password is a 16-digit code that gives an external app or device permission to access your Google Account.

We recommend turning 2-step Verification On due to the fact that Google is constantly restricting access to non-Google products.

How to set up SMTP with 2-Step Verification On

Follow the steps below to learn how to send emails through your Gmail SMTP server:

1. Open your Gmail account and head over to the gear icon to access its settings.

Gmail Settings

2. At Forwarding and POP/IMAP look for the option called IMAP access and disable it.

Gmail disable IMAP

3. Click on your account’s icon and select Manage your Google Account. 

Manage Google Account

4. Open the Security section and select App passwords.

Google 2-Step Verification

5. In ‘Select app’ choose ‘Other (custom name)‘, give it a name and press Generate. The name can be 123FormBuilder. This way you know that the password is related to your 123FormBuilder forms.

App Passwords

6. It will give you a 16-digit code. Copy and save the password.

Generated App password

Important Note

Once you click on Done, the password can no longer be retrieved. If you will need to re-use the password later for a different form, make sure you are copying and saving it somewhere safe before clicking on Done. However, you can generate a new password at any given time and your old password will still work on the forms where you enabled SMTP using it.

7. Now that you have the password, head over to your form builder account on 123FormBuilder and open the SMTP configuration window.

8. Insert your SMTP server details. Where it asks you to enter the Password, paste the app password copied earlier.

Use the following settings:

  • Host: smtp.gmail.com
  • Port: 587
  • Username and Email: your Gmail email address
  • Protocol: TLS or Auto
SMTP settings

9. Click Test connection and open your Gmail inbox.

10. A verification code is sent by 123FormBuilder. Copy your verification code. If the email isn’t there, you might have to whitelist and mark us as a trusted sender.

SMTP verification code

11. Back to your SMTP settings, place this verification code, and hit Validate.

SMTP Validate

12. Close and open again the window to check the SMTP Status.

SMTP Enabled

13. Make a test submission.

From now on, all notifications will be sent through your SMTP server.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions. For more FAQs, please browse through the  FAQs page.

Is this service free?
Yes, we offer a free form builder service. Just sign up to the Basic plan and you are all set. This plan is forever free, but you are limited with a few features only, such as 5 forms per account, 100 submissions per month and you have to keep the backlink to 123FormBuilder on your forms. Check out our features matrix for more information.
How many forms can I create?
It depends on the service plan you are on. Higher service plans enable more features, including more web forms for your account. If you need more forms, go to the My Account section of your account and click the upgrade button. To create an unlimited number of forms, either upgrade to the Platinum service plan or higher. Consult our features matrix for more information.
How can I publish my forms?
You can publish your forms in many ways, by using their direct URL or HTML link, embedding them with a JavaScript code, Inline HTML or iFrame, using the Facebook app or the WordPress plugin, using popups, the Blogger code snippet and many more. Once you have created and customized your form, go to the Publish section to complete your work. Read more in our documentation.
How do I change my form design?
You can change the design of your form for more information. in the Themes section, which is located in your form settings. We offer a set of more than 30 predefined form themes for your forms, but you can also create your own from scratch. You can customize the submit button, the logo and more. To apply your own stylesheets, all forms come with a custom CSS editor.

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