Outlook: Your IMAP server wants to alert you to the following: Application-specific password required

Outlook and Gmail problem: “Application-specific password required”

Last updated on | 52 replies

You’re sure you’ve entered the correct password but this error “Your IMAP server wants to alert you to the following: Application-specific password required” keeps coming up? This may be because your Google Account has 2-Step Verification enabled and your normal password will not work.

1. Generate an Application-specific password

  1. Visit your App passwords page. You may be asked to sign in to your Google Account. (If you see a message “The setting that you are looking for is not available for your account.” – this means 2-Step Verification is not enabled on your account. Enable it first.)
  2. At the bottom, click Select app and choose the app you’re using.
  3. Click Select device and choose the device you’re using.
  4. Select Generate.
  5. Follow the instructions to enter the App password (the 16 character code in the yellow bar) on your device.
  6. Select Done.

2. Allow access to your Google Account

As a security precaution, Google may require you to complete an additional step when signing into a new device or application using an application password.

Visit the Display Unlock Captcha page and click Continue.

Google Display Unlock Captcha

Complete the CAPTCHA if you are prompted.

If your account was unblocked, you should see a message Account Access Enabled.

Google Account Access Enabled

You can now use your new Application-specific password for Outlook.

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Gmail/Outlook Invalid Credentials (Failure) but “Access for less secure apps” already Turned ON
Gmail and Outlook issue: Your IMAP server wants to alert you of the following: Invalid Credentials (Failure)

Gmail and Outlook issue: Your IMAP server wants to alert you of the following: Invalid Credentials (Failure)

52 replies

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  3. I am trying to help a mate.
    He had an Apple computer and now has a W10 unit.
    Need special software to convert apple emails etc. to Outlook 2016
    Keep getting the specific password message.
    Problem is that the phone number option relates to an old one no loger available so cannot access his account.
    Also, password for his Gmail email may not be Account password. No alternate email listed.
    I am stuck.

    Reply

  5. I followed the instructions and generated the new password for Outlook. I still keep getting the error. I do have 2-step verification turned on but the app specific password doesn’t work.

    Reply

  8. Thanks a lot, my problem solved. as since 17th December i as trying to solve this problem, even i wrote in google but not get answer for this problem. Thanks once again.

    Reply

  9. I did what you mentioned but i still get the msg “Your IMAP server wants to alert you to the following: Application-specific password required” keeps coming up.
    I create the apps password (16 chars) for outlook and outlook.com (which is correct?). Anything I need to check and do? Thanks.

    Reply

  10. I did what you mentioned but I still get the same msg Your IMAP server wants to alert you to the following: Application-specific password required” keeps coming up?. The Apps selection is under custom. so i keyed in outlook and another time outlook.com. Both time i used the 16 char apps password and done. When i go to Microsoft outlook to add my email again it give me the error msg. Any things i need to check/ Thanks.

    Reply

  16. Thank you so much. I was feeling lost when unable to download emails on my Windows Outlook for last 15 days. Now the problem is solved. Thank you once again

    Reply