Using a 2-step verification Google Account with QuickFile

What is 2 step verification?

To secure your accounts further, some account providers offer the option to add a second step to the authentication process. QuickFile also offers this for your account, but many often associate it with banking.

It can come in a number of forms, including:

  • A token from an app like Google Authenticator
  • A code received by SMS (text message)
  • A code received by an automated phone call
  • Using a dedicated app on your smartphone

QuickFile and Google 2 Step Verification

As QuickFile connects through a secure SMTP connection, Google may reject the connection because we haven’t been authenticated with a second step. This is perfectly normal, but because of the way we access your mail box (to send mail), it’s not possible to authenticate us with your 2 step process.

This can cause the connection to be rejected and fail.

Generating an app password

To use QuickFile with a Google SMTP account, where 2 step verification has been enabled, you will need to generate an app password. This is a random password Google will give you to use only with QuickFile.

Once you’ve logged into your Google account, go to the area to manage your account.

From the left-hand menu, select Security:
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In the section Signing in to Google, you will see an option for App passwords. Go into this section, and if needed, log in to confirm it’s really you.


From the list of apps, select Other (Custom name) and enter a name such as QuickFile
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Lastly, click Generate to reveal your new password.

When you then set up the SMTP settings on Google, use this password instead of your usual password.

And that’s it!