How do I use Gmail as my mail server?
From Joomla! Documentation
If you have a working Gmail account you can use Gmail as your mail server by setting it in the Global Configuration.
On the server tab set the following:
- Mailer: SMTP
- SMTP Host: smtp.gmail.com
- SMTP Port 465
- SMTP Security: SSL/TLS
- SMTP Authentication: Yes
- Set the next two lines with your information. Use an app-specific password (ASP), described below.
- SMTP Username: your Gmail username
- SMTP Password: the app-specific password (ASP) you generated, described below.
The following are also working combinations:
- SMTP Port 587
- SMTP Security: STARTTLS
- SMTP Port 25
- SMTP Security: STARTTLS
The SSL module does not need to be enabled in Apache.
The OpenSSL extension needs to be enabled in PHP. The details can be found at the php.net Installation page.
If you are using WAMP on Windows, the openssl module is not enabled by default and you need to enable it:
- Open the php.ini file and uncomment the line
extension=php_openssl.dll
by removing the semicolon ; from the beginning of the line. - Save the php.ini file and restart the Apache service.
Note that if you use 2-step verification in Gmail, add a new password in Settings - Accounts - Change accounts settings - Other Google Account settings - Security - 2-step verification - Manage your application specific passwords.
When the new Application-Specific Password (ASP) is presented in groups of four characters separated by spaces, make sure that you do not enter the spaces into the SMTP password in the mail server settings in Joomla.
- Application Specific Passwords (ASPs): See the Google Support Sign in with App Passwords page.
- 2-Step Verification: See the Google Support Turn on 2-Step Verification page.