Google IMAP error fixed on Android

[Shackledup]

The IMAP access error is due to a change in Google's App security - I had a notification that SMS Backup+ wouldn't work after a certain date explaining this.

Solving it is easy.

Create an App specific password in your Google account: Go to your Google account, select Security from the left menu, select App Passwords in the Signing in to Google box.

At the bottom of the list select the Select app drop down menu - SMS Backup+ won't be there, so select Other.

Type SMS Backup+ in the field and click generate. You'll get a 16 character password.

Now open SMS Backup+ (it's easier if you have the password open on a different device, or maybe write it down if you're doing all of this on the same device.

In SMS Backup+ go to Advanced Settings/Custom IMAP server

Tap Authentication at the top and change it to Plain Text.

Leave the server address as imap.gmail.com:993

Enter your email address.

Enter the app password you generated WITHOUT the spaces.

Make sure Security is on TLS.

You're done, go back to the main SMS Backup+ screen and it should work. Does for me.

[jasonab]

Thank you for the steps, I wasn't sure where to put that password in. This should be in the README.

[Shackledup]

Ah sorry, I'm new to GitHub and I'm unaware of the protocol.

I'll move, or copy it, there when I can.

Greg.

On Fri, 9 Aug 2019, 11:33 pm Jason Bennett, notifications@github.com wrote:

Thank you for the steps, I wasn't sure where to put that password in. This should be in the README.

— You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/972?email_source=notifications&email_token=AM3UAVTTQKU2JWCXMPU2GILQDXWEZA5CNFSM4IKWZNPKYY3PNVWWK3TUL52HS4DFVREXG43VMVBW63LNMVXHJKTDN5WW2ZLOORPWSZGOD37544Y#issuecomment-520085107, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AM3UAVVDHG3AQFRQGOHWWDDQDXWEZANCNFSM4IKWZNPA .

[jasonab]

Sorry, that wasn't a criticism, more of a general statement of "this should be shared more widely."

[Shackledup]

Don't worry! It was taken that way 😊

It's so easy to misinterpret the written word without the inflections of audible speech.

On Fri, 9 Aug 2019, 11:47 pm Jason Bennett, notifications@github.com wrote:

Sorry, that wasn't a criticism, more of a general statement of "this should be shared more widely."

— You are receiving this because you authored the thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/972?email_source=notifications&email_token=AM3UAVTFQXHX37HKXNMYIMDQDXXYTA5CNFSM4IKWZNPKYY3PNVWWK3TUL52HS4DFVREXG43VMVBW63LNMVXHJKTDN5WW2ZLOORPWSZGOD376RWY#issuecomment-520087771, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AM3UAVQ7JE2IURGVLRVA2WDQDXXYTANCNFSM4IKWZNPA .

[jenbooks]

Worked for me as well! Extra info: You have to have Two-Factor verification turned on for the "app password" option to be available.

Tip: Authy works just fine - you don't need to be tied to Google Authenticator.

[eohrnberger]

Tried setting up the Google account and SMS Backup+ using these directions. The 2 factor authentication was setup successfully, and the app password generated, but not accepted. Copy / Pasted the app name 'SMS Backup+' in the web browser, is this a string, along with the 16 random character generated password, that the app presents to Google to gain access? Might there be something else that's not 'quite 'right'?

Are there any plans for SMS Backup+ to support another Google authentication method soon?

[Conan179]

@eohrnberger App password only working witch IMAP login, not witch browser login!

[eohrnberger]

Yes, that's exactly what I did on my phone.
Checked the 'clear text' password and other parameters, and entered by Google account email address.

[Conan179]

"Copy / Pasted the app name 'SMS Backup+' in the web browser, is this a string, along with the 16 random character generated password, " With IMAP login, donst open any browser window.

[eohrnberger]

"Copy / Pasted the app name 'SMS Backup+' in the web browser, is this a string, along with the 16 random character generated password, " With IMAP login, donst open any browser window.

To set the Google account app password, this is the app name that I used, and entered into the browser to setup the app password. I was asking if this was the correct app name for setting up the app password.

[Conan179]

The app password is only for looking on the Site. For logging in there is no difference. You must enter your email address and app password. I have only "Backup" as Appname.

[eohrnberger]

The app password is only for looking on the Site. For logging in there is no difference. You must enter your email address and app password. I have only "Backup" as Appname. OK. Got it.
The 'App Name' connected with the app password is not specific to the app, and the app doesn't present this for authentication to Google. It must only present the random 16 character password.

[eohrnberger]

I access my GMail using Outlook, which Google has determined as 'a less secure app', so I can't have 2 factor authentication turned on. It would disable my Outlook client.

[Conan179]

Outlook need a app passwort two

[eohrnberger]

Outlook need a app passwort two

Would rather that SMS Backup+ authenticate without a two factor authentication being required, and app password required.
Is that possible? Or in future plans for SMS Backup+?

[adgorn]

Hey, it worked! Thank you! Lucky I found this thread!

[schneemaier]

If you don't have 2 factor enabled, then you can use your normal gmail password, but you have to enable "less secure application" access in your account: Go to your Google account, select Security from the left menu, select enable access for less secure applications

[eohrnberger]

All set. Thanks for the pointers / hints.

[PMulvany]

You're a star. It works a treat. Thanks! It's such a great app - would have been a real shame to have lost use of it.

[rossum]

This is working for me, thanks!

[oroboros]

Please add this to the Google Playstore and your website descriptions. It took me forever to find how to solve this problem!

Question: Do I need to save the Google generated app password if I reinstall the app later? What problems might I face if we generate a new password later for this app (if even we can)?

[easp3400]

I want to thank all of you for helping me get SMS Backup+ running again. I am not a coder, so no way could I have figured this out in a million years. Those of you that designed the work around are pretty dang cool in my book. It is a terrific app and I hope we can use it forever, or until the world stops turning, whichever comes first. @jberkel YOU ARE A ROCKSTAR and your SMS Backup+ app is the bomb!

[turkeyphant]

Thanks, the OP worked and it's finally fixed again.

[MaudMo]

Hi everyone, I followed the procedure and the back up starts. Nothing happens on Gmail, though. Sms are not exported. Can someone help me? Thanks 🥰

[vttale]

Note that although the text describes it as a 16 character password, it is displayed as a 19 character password because of spaces. If you copy and paste it will copy only the 16 characters, but if you're entering it manually then do so without the spaces.

[luxmj]

The IMAP access error is due to a change in Google's App security - I had a notification that SMS Backup+ wouldn't work after a certain date explaining this.

Solving it is easy.

Create an App specific password in your Google account: Go to your Google account, select Security from the left menu, select App Passwords in the Signing in to Google box.

At the bottom of the list select the Select app drop down menu - SMS Backup+ won't be there, so select Other.

Type SMS Backup+ in the field and click generate. You'll get a 16 character password.

Now open SMS Backup+ (it's easier if you have the password open on a different device, or maybe write it down if you're doing all of this on the same device.

In SMS Backup+ go to Advanced Settings/Custom IMAP server

Tap Authentication at the top and change it to Plain Text.

Leave the server address as imap.gmail.com:993

Enter your email address.

Enter the app password you generated WITHOUT the spaces.

Make sure Security is on TLS.

You're done, go back to the main SMS Backup+ screen and it should work. Does for me.

thanks very much

[dorianjoy]

In my Google account in the signing in to Google box I have no option to select App password.

[Arkanosis]

In my Google account in the signing in to Google box I have no option to select App password.

Hi! Consider enabling “2-Step Verification” for increased security. App passwords only make sense when “2-Step Verification” is enabled, because it prevents your regular password from being used alone.

[dorianjoy]

Thank you for the quick response. This worked. Thank you.

[alyn9317]

I followed all the advice, and I still get an error code that it can't connect to my Gmail ("Error during backup/restore: Cannot connect to host imap.gmail.com:993"). I'm not a coder, so please help. I've left the server name the same, entered my email address, and the password Google generated with NO spaces, and the security is on TLS. Anything else I can try?

[MaudMo]

Can someone help me please?

[Arkanosis]

it can't connect to my Gmail ("Error during backup/restore: Cannot connect to host impap.gmail.com:993")

Hi! There's a typo there: it should be imap.gmail.com, not impap.gmail.com.

[alyn9317]

it can't connect to my Gmail ("Error during backup/restore: Cannot connect to host impap.gmail.com:993")

Hi! There's a typo there: it should be imap.gmail.com, not impap.gmail.com.

That was my typo in my comment. I double-checked. SMS Backup+ has it correct (imap.gmail.com:993). It still doesn't work.

[andejoh]

For me, it did not work when security was set to TLS, but did work when I switched back to SSL.

[jonboy345]

Possible to add support for backing up to either cloud storage (Gdrive, Box, etc.) or to other email services? (exhange, other IMAP email providers, etc.)? @jberkel

[kareengas]

Seemed to work ok but now I get a "Error during backup/restore. Username not set". Isn't the username my email address?

[digiboule]

Although I previously had a working configuration a couple months ago in September, nothing worked for me until I turned on log messages in the app and found that the error message contained a link to a google support article.

That article included the step of visiting the following link: https://accounts.google.com/DisplayUnlockCaptcha

After doing that, it started working again.

Hope this helps!

[truckmann]

Seemed to work ok but now I get a "Error during backup/restore. Username not set". Isn't the username my email address?

I was getting this error after setting it up and found I had to remove the @gmail.com part of my email address and then it would connect.

[bsarasua]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! I've loved this app for years and was extremely disappointed when it quit working.

For those still having problems, for my phone/account, I had to do all the steps listed by shackledup in the original post, but I also had to (1)remove the @gmail.com from my username, (2)enable two-step verification, AND (3)when generating the app password, I had to use the app name "SMS Backup & Restore" (without the quotes). It didn't work when I used "SMS Backup+". Hope this helps someone - good luck!

[brooklynn0307]

I have a galaxy s8 and it won't back up immediately only in the middle of the night. I've checked all my settings and its set to back up calls immediately and sms is set for 1 minute. Is anyone else having this issue?

[brightvalley]

The last messages I had received were August 8, but the above instructions (including turning two factor on) worked for me.

Why hasn't this become the default login for Gmail? Is there anyone who claims the old login system actually still works?

[MarinaInMA]

This was very helpful. I back up sporadically, and only discovered today that it wasn't working. So nice to have clear instructions on how to fix it immediately! Thank you!

[baltas01]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread! I've loved this app for years and was extremely disappointed when it quit working.

For those still having problems, for my phone/account, I had to do all the steps listed by shackledup in the original post, but I also had to (1)remove the @gmail.com from my username, (2)enable two-step verification, AND (3)when generating the app password, I had to use the app name "SMS Backup & Restore" (without the quotes). It didn't work when I used "SMS Backup+". Hope this helps someone - good luck!

Why are you mencioning "SMS Backup & Restore" what I need is sms and call to appear in google calendar. That app doesn´t do that does it?

[smikwily]

I had no luck at all getting this to work with the 1.6 beta I had installed. I installed the 1.5.11 apk and was able to find stuff like the Advanced Settings/Custom Settings or the "plain text" setting. Everything I tried in 1.6 beta failed, but I rolled back to 1.5.11 and followed the first post and everything worked within seconds.

I don't know if it helped at all, as I tried it as part of trying to get 1.6 working, but I made sure that IMAP was on in my Gmail account, the Captcha thing above was listed, and I think that was it.

Thanks for this. I really missed being able to search old texts in Gmail, as well as having everything backed up in one place.

[tanterosi]

Thank you for provding this workaround! Unfortunately the App (version 1.5.11, German) still doesn't connect/login. I carefully followed the steps in the original instruction and tried any further hint in the thread to get access. The option to connect hasn't been active but grey from the start; after trying to connect via the workaround, the on/off "switch" there even looks as if out of order, see screenshot . Same result after following the procedure several times, including restart of the Smartphone. Any helpful hints very much appreciated! I was looking forward to saving my messages so much.

[tanterosi]

P.S. Using my Gmail account without mail client, in browser only; IMAP had been enabled already.

[arnaudboub]

P.S. Using my Gmail account without mail client, in browser only; IMAP had been enabled already.

is your IMAP option in Gmail is activated ?

[tanterosi]

P.S. Using my Gmail account without mail client, in browser only; IMAP had been enabled already.

is your IMAP option in Gmail is activated ?

Thanks for getting back – yes, it is and has always been!

[dunaengus]

I tried the IMAP fix many times. I checked and double-checked my settings, tried tweaking each of the settings, and created multiple app passwords but could not get it to work with my Gmail address. I have no issues using Google app passwords with other applications. I finally decided to attempt to use my Microsoft email account to see if that would work. It connected and backed up without any problems. I have a backup, which is important to me-- although if there is a solution that I can find to use my Gmail address again I would prefer that. I'll add that I value SMS Backup+ quite a bit and have been using it for years. Let's keep working toward a solution to keep this app viable. Thanks everyone!

[captng1]

I have done all the instructions including 2 step verification and have entered my gmail email address And used the16 digit password that was generated, but get an error When trying to start backup saying IMAP authorization error. Make sure login and password are set correctly? Can someone help? I sure would like to get this backup app working again. Thanks