Sending emails using Gmail's "send mail as"

Send email from any ImprovMX alias on Gmail, using the "Send Mail As" feature. It's free and only takes a few minutes to setup.

Warning: This feature relies on an older Google functionality that could be discontinued at any time. It also lacks proper email authentication (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC), which many mail providers now require. As a result, some providers — such as Yahoo — may reject messages sent this way entirely, while others may send them to spam.

Our premium plans include a custom SMTP service that avoids these issues.

Step 1: Enable Two-Factor Authentication

For this method to work, you need two-factor authentication enabled for your Google account. If it's not already enabled, go to your Google Account Security page to set it up.

Step 2: Create an App Password

Go to your Google account's App Passwords page. Enter "ImprovMX" as the name, click Create, and copy the generated password for the next step.

Step 3: Add Your Email to Gmail

In Gmail, go to Settings → Accounts and Import. Under "Send mail as", select "Add another email address".

Step 4: Configure Sender Information

Enter your forwarded email address (your alias) and your preferred sender name. Untick "Treat as an alias."

Step 5: Enter SMTP Settings

  • SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com
  • Port: 587
  • Username: Your Gmail address (including @gmail.com)
  • Password: The App Password generated in Step 2
  • Leave TLS enabled

Step 6: Confirm Ownership

You'll receive a confirmation email from Gmail with a verification code. Open the link in the email and click Confirm.

Step 7: Send Emails From Your Alias

When composing a new message in Gmail, select your alias from the From dropdown.

Troubleshooting

Why isn't my alias working?

  • Make sure you're using smtp.gmail.com with your Gmail address and a Google App Password (not your regular Gmail password).
  • Try refreshing your browser, clearing cache, or switching to incognito mode.

Emails go to spam or show a warning

  • Make sure "Treat as an alias" is unchecked (Step 4).
  • Avoid replying to your alias from the same Gmail you're forwarding to — this creates a mail loop.
  • Ensure your SPF record is correct and has propagated.

I click send, but nothing happens

Gmail may block messages sent to your alias from the same Gmail account that you're forwarding to. Google detects a loop and silently drops the message. These show only in "Sent." Try clearing your session or using another browser.

Why do my emails say "via Gmail" or "via ImprovMX"?

  • The "via Gmail" label appears when using Google's "Send mail as" — it's not removable.
  • To avoid this, use ImprovMX SMTP (available to paid users).
  • If your email says "via ImprovMX," double-check the alias isn't marked as "treat as alias."

Still stuck?

Google's "Send mail as" is an old, unsupported feature. It may stop working in the future, and limited support is offered. For better reliability, switch to ImprovMX SMTP.

Still have questions? Feel free to reach out to our support team!