For years, Gmail has doubled as a universal inbox. Whether you were managing a Yahoo address, an old Outlook account, or a business email like hello@yourbrand.com, Google’s Gmailify and POP fetching features made it easy to keep everything in one place.
That era is coming to an end.
Google has now confirmed that these legacy connection methods are being phased out. If your workflow depends on Gmail’s “Check mail from other accounts” feature, it’s time to prepare for a change.
Here’s what’s happening and how to adapt without missing a beat.
The Timeline
This isn’t an overnight shutdown, but the clock is ticking:
- Early 2026: New accounts will no longer be able to connect via Gmailify or POP.
- Late 2026: Existing connections will stop syncing entirely.
If you’re still using these tools, 2026 is your hard deadline.
What Exactly Is Going Away?
Two long-standing Gmail features are being retired:
- Gmailify
This allowed non-Google email accounts (Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.) to behave like native Gmail inboxes. - POP Fetching
Found under “Check mail from other accounts,” this decades-old method pulled email from external servers (like GoDaddy or Bluehost) into Gmail at regular intervals.
Both relied on outdated technology that Google no longer wants to support.
Why Google Is Making This Change
In short: security.
Google is standardizing around OAuth and IMAP, which are far more secure and reliable than POP.
- POP is one-directional. It pulls messages but doesn’t sync folders, labels, or read status across devices.
- OAuth uses secure access tokens instead of sharing passwords, dramatically reducing the risk of account compromise.
From Google’s perspective, legacy protocols are a liability and they’re finally being retired.
How to Stay Connected (Without Losing Convenience)
You don’t have to give up a centralized inbox. Here are three practical alternatives, depending on your setup.
1. Move to Google Workspace (Best Long-Term Option)
If you use a custom domain for business, the cleanest solution is hosting your email directly on Google Workspace.
Your business email becomes a native Gmail account. No fetching, no linking, no workarounds. It’s more professional, more secure, and improves deliverability to clients and customers.
2. Switch to Automatic Forwarding
Instead of having Gmail pull messages every 15 minutes, configure your external provider to forward email directly to Gmail.
This approach:
- Delivers messages instantly
- Avoids POP entirely
- Still allows you to reply using Gmail’s “Send mail as” feature
For many people, this is the simplest transition.
3. Use the Gmail Mobile App
Interestingly, the Gmail app on iOS and Android will continue to support third-party accounts.
Because the app uses IMAP (not POP), you can add external accounts directly and switch between inboxes inside the app, no desktop changes required.
The Bottom Line
Legacy email protocols are officially on borrowed time.
If you see POP3 or Gmailify in your Gmail settings, consider this your notice: 2026 is the cutoff. Migrating now gives you time to test, adjust, and avoid disruptions later.
