Gmail is definitely the most popular email service out there, and being free is only part of the equation. In fact, Google’s inbox organization tools are what make it stand out from the competition. For nearly a decade, those tools were also available for non-Gmail inboxes, but that’s going to change very soon.
Google is shutting down Gmailify
Google is shutting down its Gmailify feature, which allowed users to use key Gmail features with third-party email accounts. According to an updated support page, users won’t be able to do that anymore “starting January 2026.”
Gmail is also ending support for fetching emails from other providers using POP (Post Office Protocol), which was the system Gmailify was based on. That would put an end to the “Check mail from other accounts” options, which will disappear from Gmail on the web. Emails synched before the cutoff will remain in users’ inboxes.
You can still use Gmail as a basic email client
Google recently announced new AI-powered features for Gmail. | Image Credit — Google
Google says that Gmail could still be used with other email accounts, but without any of the extra features. Users can add third-party accounts to the Android and iOS apps using IMAP. To use more of Gmail’s features, Google recommends users set up automatic forwarding to their Gmail inbox.
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However, that’s nowhere near the comfort of Gmailify. With it, users could add their third-party email accounts, such as Yahoo or Outlook, and enjoy the full set of Gmail features. Those include Google’s spam protection, advanced search, notifications, and inbox categories. Linking another email address to a Gmail account felt almost like having a native Gmail experience.
Have you ever used Gmail with a third-party email?
Yes, all my mail goes through Gmail
33.33%
Yes, but I don’t use it anymore
0%
No, I only us it with my gmail.com email
66.67%
No, I don’t use Gmail at all
0%
This change is likely related to Google’s recently announced set of Gmail features powered by Gemini AI. The company probably wants to focus on its users and stop making other companies’ products better. It’s also very unlikely that was among Google’s most popular services.
At least there’s an alternative
I’m sure that the relatively few people who were using Gmailify will feel the pain of moving away from Google’s email service. On the bright side, creating a Gmail account is free, so there’s an alternative. For me, that would be an annoying but still better option than losing Google’s email filters.
Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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