Tech giant Google has announced it will discontinue Gmailify, a feature that allows Yahoo, Outlook, AOL, and Hotmail users to access Gmail’s advanced functionalities. The service, which launched in February 2016, has helped users enjoy Gmail features without changing their email addresses.
Gmailify offered benefits such as organised inbox categories, improved notifications, and enhanced spam protection within Gmail’s interface. Millions of users relied on it to manage multiple email accounts efficiently. However, Google has now informed users that Gmailify will be fully discontinued by January 2026.
Alongside Gmailify, Google will also end support for the “Check mail from other accounts” feature, which uses the older Post Office Protocol (POP). This means Gmail will no longer automatically fetch emails from third-party accounts via POP. Previously imported emails will remain accessible, but new messages will not be retrieved automatically.
Users can still access Yahoo, Outlook, and other third-party accounts through Gmail using the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) on Android, iOS, and the web. However, IMAP does not support Gmail-specific features like inbox categorisation or advanced spam filtering. Google recommends enabling automatic forwarding from the original email provider to ensure new emails appear in Gmail.
The company emphasised that this shift reflects Gmail’s evolving approach to email management and security. Users who relied on Gmailify for a seamless email experience will need to adjust to new methods for integrating third-party accounts.
Experts say that while this change may inconvenience some long-time users, it encourages more modern email protocols and strengthens Gmail’s security and efficiency. Google continues to focus on providing a robust and unified email platform, even as Gmailify and POP support are phased out.
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This move highlights Google’s ongoing efforts to improve its ecosystem while guiding users towards updated, more secure email access options.
