Google to Shut Down POP Fetching: How to Keep Your Emails Moving

Google has confirmed it will stop supporting Gmailify and the POP “Check mail from other accounts” tool later this year. These features previously allowed users to manage third-party email addresses, such as Yahoo or Outlook, directly through the Gmail website while using Google’s specific security and organization tools.

The History of Gmailify

Gmailify was originally launched in February 2016 as a bridge for users who wanted Google’s modern features without changing their old email addresses. It was designed to provide the best of Gmail to people holding onto legacy Yahoo, Hotmail, and AOL accounts. By linking these accounts, users could enjoy high-end spam protection and search tools that their original providers lacked at the time. After nearly a decade of serving as a cross-platform tool, Google is now phasing it out in favour of standard modern connection methods.

What is Changing for Users

The biggest change is that Gmail will no longer act as a central hub for other email providers on the web. If you currently use these features, you will lose access to specific Google enhancements for your non-Google accounts. This includes advanced spam protection, better mobile notifications, and automatic inbox categories like Social and Promotions. You will also lose the ability to use faster search results and advanced operators on those external accounts.

Important Dates and Impact

Google will stop allowing new users to sign up for these features by the first quarter of 2026. If you are an existing user, you can continue to use them until they are fully turned off later in the year. Fortunately, any emails you have already imported will remain in your Gmail account and will not be deleted.

How to Keep Accessing Your Mail

To continue seeing emails from other providers within the Gmail ecosystem, you have two main options. First, you can use the Gmail mobile app on iPhone and Android. You can still add third-party accounts to the mobile app because it uses a standard IMAP connection, though it will not include the Gmailify perks like automatic sorting.

For desktop users, the best solution is to go to your other email provider and set up automatic forwarding. This will send new messages directly to your Gmail inbox as they arrive.

So what’s another alternative? You could try signing up for a third-party service such as Mailbridge.app, which essentially replicates Gmailify features. However, it’s not free and costs $14 US/year and there’s a waitlist right now.