I like Google’s approach to email. Gmail is online, search-able, threaded and has the capacity to archive all the email you’re ever likely to receive. You needn’t forget anything ever again, just as long as that thing is captured in a Gmail.
However, I’m not so keen on using the Gmail website. These days my web browser is over-loaded with open tabs; so if there is a better desktop or mobile client available I will opt for that instead. The Apple Mail and iPhone Mail clients are nicer to use than the Gmail website and they add another layer of traditional email functionality.
I use IMAP to plug multiple Gmail accounts (Sky Rocket Inc., PickupPal & Personal) into my laptop and phone. Getting this right was not easy and it’s the reason for writing this post, saving the settings for future reference.
Gmail
First of all, you have to set-up your Gmail accounts to use IMAP.
- Log-in to your account
- Click on Settings in the top-right
- Click on Forwarding and POP/IMAP
- Ensure that IMAP is enabled.
You should do this for every account you wish to access from your desktop and mobile email clients.
Apple Mail
Not only do we have to set the main preferences, we also need to tell Apple Mail to use certain Gmail folders instead of it’s own defaults.
Settings
You can access the Apple Mail Account settings from the Mail menu (Option+,), then click on Accounts.
I use 3 Gmail accounts each with identical settings, here are screen grabs for each of the 3 main panels Account Information, Mailbox Behaviours and Advanced:
Account Information
Mailbox Behaviours
Advanced
Mailboxes
As the client synchronises with Gmail you will see your Gmail folders listed in the left-hand panel of Apple Mail. N need select the Gmail Drafts and Sent folders one at a time and tell Apple Mail to use them as Apple Mail Drafts and Sent. Do this with the Use This Mailbox For command in the Mailbox menu.
iPhone Mail
From the Home Screen click on Settings, Mail and then Ad Account…
The iPhone comes with a automated set-up function for Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, .Mac and AOL.
Do not use the Gmail option for setting-up Gmail IMAP, instead select Other.
On the IMAP screen enter your details, you can refer to Apple Mail settings for this.
Here are the settings screens for one of my accounts:
{ 3 comments }
Sponsored links:
