Adding Gmail SMTP

To connect Gmail SMTP in your WP Email Log Custom SMTP settings, you will need to use Gmail’s SMTP server details.

Gmail SMTP Settings

  • First, you need to have ‘Use Custom SMTP’ checked.
  • In the SMTP Host field, type smtp.gmail.com.
  • In the SMTP Port field, type 587.
  • For the Encryption, we recommend using TLS.
  • Enable the ‘Authentication’ checkbox.
  • In the ‘Username’ field, enter your full Gmail address.
  • For the ‘Password’, you will need to use an App Password, and not your Gmail password (check the next section).
  • In the ‘From Email’ box, you should use your Gmail address.
  • In the ‘From Name’ box, you can type anything you want; for example, your site’s name.

Important: Use an App Password (Required)

Google no longer allows regular passwords for SMTP. You must generate an App Password:

Steps:

  1. Go to your Google account > Security
  2. Enable 2-Step Verification (required)
  3. Go to App Passwords
  4. Select:
    • App: Mail
    • Device: Other (name it like “WordPress”)
  5. Copy the password
  6. Paste it into the Password field in the WP Email Log custom SMTP settings.

Test It

After saving:

  • Click “Test email now”
  • You should receive a test email

Common Issues

  • ❌ Wrong password > must be App Password
  • ❌ Port 465 + TLS mismatch > use:
    • 587 = TLS
    • 465 = SSL
  • ❌ From Email different from Gmail > may fail or go to spam
  • ❌ Hosting blocking SMTP > contact your host