Gmailify is ending in January 2027: what changes and what to do
Short answer: Google says Gmailify ends in January 2027 (no exact day announced). If you've linked a Yahoo, AOL, Outlook, Hotmail or other non-Gmail account to Gmail with Gmailify, you'll lose Gmail's extras for that account, such as spam protection and inbox categories. Google's suggested fix is free: add the account to the Gmail app on your phone or tablet as its own account, or forward its mail to your Gmail address.
What is Gmailify?
Google describes Gmailify as a way to get many of Gmail's features on a Yahoo, AOL, Outlook, Hotmail or select other non-Gmail account by linking it to Gmail. Once linked, Google lists these extras: spam protection, better mail notifications on mobile, automatic sorting into Social, Updates and Promotions, and faster search with advanced search operators.
Sources: Google: Get Gmail features for your other email accounts. Last checked 19 October 2026.
What Google is changing
Google's timeline says that in January 2027 "Gmail will fully remove 'Send as' for third-party accounts, Gmailify, and POP." Before then, during the transition, "Gmail may restrict new configurations", so you may not be able to link a new account.
On its Gmailify page, Google says you "won't be able to get specific features in Gmail applied to your third-party account", listing spam protection, better email notifications on mobile, inbox categories and faster search with advanced search operators.
Sources: Google: Learn about changes to third-party email account support in Gmail · Google: Learn about upcoming changes to Gmailify & POP in Gmail. Last checked 19 October 2026.
Am I using Gmailify?
Google's steps for unlinking show where to look. In the Gmail app on Android: tap the Menu, then Settings, then your Gmail account. If you see a "Linked Account" section with your other address, it's linked with Gmailify.
Sources: Google: Get Gmail features for your other email accounts. Last checked 19 October 2026.
What keeps working
- The Gmail app can still read and send from the other account. Google: "You can continue to read and send emails from your other account in the Gmail app for Android, iPhone, and iPad, which uses a standard IMAP connection."
- Forwarded mail keeps arriving. Google's FAQ: "Can I still receive email forwarded from a third-party account? Yes."
- Mail already imported stays. Google: messages already imported from a third-party account "will remain in your mailbox."
- Your other account stays with its provider. Google's change is to how Gmail connects to it; Google doesn't run your Yahoo, Outlook or other mailbox, and it keeps working with that provider. (Google's Gmailify page notes that after unlinking, you can still read messages in your other service's inbox.)
Sources: Google: third-party email account changes · Google: Gmailify & POP changes. Last checked 19 October 2026.
Your free options
1. Add the account to the Gmail app (phone or tablet)
In the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, then Add another account, and pick your provider (Outlook, Yahoo and others can be set up automatically), or choose Other (IMAP) and enter your provider's IMAP settings. Google says you can add up to 5 email addresses, and you can see them together under All inboxes. If your account has extra security, you may need an app password from your provider.
Sources: Google: Add another email account in the Gmail app. Last checked 19 October 2026.
2. Forward the account's mail to Gmail (to keep it in your main inbox)
Google: "To have new emails automatically appear in your main Gmail inbox (like with POP fetching), set up automatic forwarding with your other email provider." You set this up at the other provider, not in Gmail. Forwarding covers receiving only; to reply as that address, use option 1 or 3.
3. Use the provider's own website or app, or a desktop mail app
Google's listed options are your provider's own website or app, a desktop mail client, or the Gmail mobile app. Outlook, Apple Mail and Thunderbird can connect to most mailboxes by IMAP.
Sources: Google: third-party email account changes. Last checked 19 October 2026.
Questions
When exactly does Gmailify stop?
Google says January 2027 and hasn't named a day. It may restrict new set-ups before then.
Will I lose emails Gmailify already brought into Gmail?
Google's FAQ says messages already imported from a third-party account "will remain in your mailbox." It hasn't said specifically what happens to Gmailify-linked copies, but your mail is still in your other account either way.
Do I need to pay for anything?
Usually not. The Gmail app, forwarding and your provider's own website or app are free. Some desktop mail apps are free (for example Apple Mail and Thunderbird); others, such as Outlook, may need a paid licence.
I also use "Send mail as" or "Check mail from other accounts". Are those ending too?
Yes. Google says both end for third-party addresses in January 2027 as well. See "Send mail as" is ending and "Check mail from other accounts" is going.
Want a written plan for your setup?
Many people can fix this for free with the steps above. If you'd like a written step-by-step plan for your exact setup, my Switch Plan is A$49 incl. GST / US$35, and I never ask for your passwords. You make every change yourself, following the plan. Not currently available to customers in the EU, EEA, UK, Switzerland or India.
Sources: Google: third-party email account changes · Google: Gmailify & POP changes · Google: Gmailify · Google: add an account in the Gmail app. Last checked 19 October 2026.