Re: the great Gmail ERR [AUTH] therad

Richard Unger wrote:
> Francesco Ariis wrote:

>>> Hello getmailers,

>>> as a serial procrastinator that I am, today I
>>> got bitten by Gmail switching off
>>> user/password authentication

>>> Copyright (C) 1998-2020 Charles Cazabon and others. Licensed under GNU GPL version 2.
>>> SimplePOP3SSLRetriever:[email protected]@pop.gmail.com:995:
>>> gmail: operation error (POP error (b'-ERR [AUTH] Username and password not accepted.'))
>>> 0 messages (0 bytes) retrieved, 0 skipped

>>> What are the options to circumvent that today
>>> I tried something about oauth last month but
>>> it was -- for me -- a daunting task.

> Switch on 2 step authentication in the google
> security settings for your account.

> Then, also in the security settings, generate an
> "App Password" for getmail. Use that app
> password in the getmailrc file instead of your
> actual password.

I hope someone who understands how to get the OAUTH stuff working will post an answer to the OP's question (which I share).  

Turning on "2-Step Verification" in a Google Account causes other behavior that the user may not prefer.