Starting in January 2026, Gmail will discontinue two long-standing features that many people still use. The change affects Gmailify, which applied Google’s filters and tools to non-Gmail accounts, and the “Check mail from other accounts” feature, which used the POP protocol to pull messages from other providers into Gmail.
For everyday users, the announcement means some familiar options will simply vanish. Anyone who set up Gmail to fetch messages from Outlook, Yahoo, or other services using POP will lose that connection, but Gmail will still let people use POP and IMAP in apps like Outlook to access their Gmail inbox. Those who upgraded outside accounts with Gmailify will also find that Google’s spam protection and inbox sorting no longer apply. Nothing already stored in Gmail will be removed, but the flow of new mail will break unless settings are updated in advance.
The reason behind this shift lies in security and standards. POP, the older of the two features, dates back to a time when email systems were far simpler and less protected. It sends login details and content in ways that can expose information if not shielded properly, and it has never supported modern safeguards such as multifactor checks. IMAP, which most providers now offer, is more flexible and secure, and Google is steering everyone toward it. Gmailify, on the other hand, was more about convenience than safety, and Google appears ready to retire it in order to streamline Gmail around one consistent model.
For those affected, the fix is not complicated but it requires action. External accounts need to be reconnected using IMAP, which most major services already support. Mobile users can still attach Outlook, Yahoo, or other accounts inside the Gmail app, but the extra Gmail-only perks will no longer be available. People using work or education accounts may also need help from administrators to ensure continuity.
Google’s decision may frustrate those who valued the simplicity of POP or the enhancements of Gmailify, but the direction is clear: Gmail is consolidating around modern protocols and moving away from older systems that no longer meet its security standards. With the deadline set for January 2026, users have more than a year to prepare... and those who do not adjust risk finding that their Gmail inbox suddenly goes quiet.
Image: Appshunter/unsplash
Note: Post updated on October 7 to clarify details and improve explanation.This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: Apple’s Removal of ICEBlock Highlights Growing U.S. Government Influence Over Big Tech
For everyday users, the announcement means some familiar options will simply vanish. Anyone who set up Gmail to fetch messages from Outlook, Yahoo, or other services using POP will lose that connection, but Gmail will still let people use POP and IMAP in apps like Outlook to access their Gmail inbox. Those who upgraded outside accounts with Gmailify will also find that Google’s spam protection and inbox sorting no longer apply. Nothing already stored in Gmail will be removed, but the flow of new mail will break unless settings are updated in advance.
The reason behind this shift lies in security and standards. POP, the older of the two features, dates back to a time when email systems were far simpler and less protected. It sends login details and content in ways that can expose information if not shielded properly, and it has never supported modern safeguards such as multifactor checks. IMAP, which most providers now offer, is more flexible and secure, and Google is steering everyone toward it. Gmailify, on the other hand, was more about convenience than safety, and Google appears ready to retire it in order to streamline Gmail around one consistent model.
For those affected, the fix is not complicated but it requires action. External accounts need to be reconnected using IMAP, which most major services already support. Mobile users can still attach Outlook, Yahoo, or other accounts inside the Gmail app, but the extra Gmail-only perks will no longer be available. People using work or education accounts may also need help from administrators to ensure continuity.
Google’s decision may frustrate those who valued the simplicity of POP or the enhancements of Gmailify, but the direction is clear: Gmail is consolidating around modern protocols and moving away from older systems that no longer meet its security standards. With the deadline set for January 2026, users have more than a year to prepare... and those who do not adjust risk finding that their Gmail inbox suddenly goes quiet.
Image: Appshunter/unsplash
Note: Post updated on October 7 to clarify details and improve explanation.This post was edited/created using GenAI tools.
Read next: Apple’s Removal of ICEBlock Highlights Growing U.S. Government Influence Over Big Tech
According to other users I have seen on Reddit this is not true. You'll still be able to pull emails from Gmail using POP. The CheckMail feature is being disabled whereby you can currently pull emails from another account using POP.
ReplyDeleteSee Google Support article https://support.google.com/mail/answer/16604719?hl=en
Could you confirm your source that all POP is being disabled?