Gmail not accepting "Less Secure Apps" - which versions of macOS are "less secure"

[minvoyager]

Starting February 15, 2021, Google's G Suite accounts will only allow access to IMAP accounts using OAuth. Password-based access will no longer be supported by Google. Beginning June 15th, 2020, users who try to connect via "Less Secure Apps" (LSA) for the first time will no longer be able to do so.

My question is, which older versions of macOS/OSX do not use OAuth?

What about Sierra 10.12?

Which versions of Apple Mail are considered "Less Secure Apps" (LSA) by Gmail?

Currently, I log into Apple Mail using a Gmail password. What will happen once this LSA change takes effect? How will I then log into Gmail using Apple Mail after this change takes effect?

 

[BrianBaughn]

My understanding is that OAuth is supported in Mail for El Capitan and later.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Little confused here, to be quite honest.

I'm running Mavericks. I'm pretty sure Mavericks doesn't use Oath, because when I add a Google account I don't see the web view sign in window. But, I'm able to access Gmail in Apple Mail, and I have "Less Secure Apps" disabled at the moment.

So, uh, based on the latter, I'm pretty sure I'm fine at least, and I doubt you're running an OS older than I am!

 

[velocityg4]

From whatever OS or email app you use. Remove your Google account. Then try adding it back. If a page pops up which looks like a Google login page. You're good to go. If you just get the standard username/password setup for your particular program you aren't.

It should look something like this. Then after signing in. You'll get some page about allowing this program access to yada yada.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

From whatever OS or email app you use. Remove your Google account. Then try adding it back. If a page pops up which looks like a Google login page. You're good to go. If you just get the standard username/password setup for your particular program you aren't.

That's what I would have thought, but I'm confused about what I'm seeing in Mavericks.

When I add a Google account, I do NOT get the Google login page. But, Mail works even though I have "Less Secure Apps" disabled.

 

[minvoyager]

That's what I would have thought, but I'm confused about what I'm seeing in Mavericks.

When I add a Google account, I do NOT get the Google login page. But, Mail works even though I have "Less Secure Apps" disabled.

I'm on Sierra 10.12. In Apple Mail, when I attempt to create a new account, and click Gmail, it does lead me to the Google login page.

Hence, from what you're saying, Mavericks does not support OAuth.

As @BrianBaughn said above, Apple Mail from El Capitan onwards supports OAuth.

Regarding Google's shift to OAuth, I don't know if this only applies to G-Suite accounts, or all general Gmail accounts. From my quick search, it appears it's only G-Suite - but don't take my word for it.

 

[NoBoMac]

Will ditto El Cap and later (from what I recall).

And it is also true for plain Google accounts: my Macs have been using OAuth for years now for Gmail accounts. Including Catalina.

Only thing to add, maybe with older versions, "less secure" might mean generating an app-specific password on the Google security/password screen for an account (like I said, been a long time since I have not used OAuth authentication) and that is going away.