The email provider Gmail is gearing up for alterations concerning the operation of several features. According to Wired, the company intends to phase out support for the POP protocol and discontinue the Gmailify service entirely by the close of 2026. This report originates from the publication CarExpo.
Gmailify was initially introduced in February 2016. This particular feature enabled users to link external email inboxes, such as those from Outlook and Yahoo, while still leveraging Gmail’s capabilities—for instance, its spam filtering mechanisms and automated message organization. This functionality relied on the IMAP protocol. Once Gmailify is deactivated, access to these conveniences will become restricted: checking mail from external accounts will only be feasible via the mobile applications, and Gmail’s proprietary sorting rules will no longer apply to them.
Furthermore, duplicate copies of messages originating from linked inboxes will cease to be stored within Google’s cloud storage space. Consequently, if a user deletes an email within the Gmail interface, it will simultaneously be removed from the original account.
The POP protocol, an older method for retrieving email compared to IMAP, will also be disabled. POP traditionally involves downloading all emails to the user’s device for subsequent local retention. Based on the source, this adjustment is not expected to cause major complications for the majority of users: third-party email clients can be utilized to manage multiple accounts on a computer. Web interface access will remain an option through setting up forwarding, though some providers might levy a charge for this service.
New users have already been prevented from setting up POP and Gmailify since the start of this current quarter. For those who are still utilizing these functions, access will be terminated before the end of this year.
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