[Until January 2026] If you manage multiple emails in Gmail, please check this in 3 minutes right now
Hello.
This may be sudden, but
"Wait, I didn't receive the email..."
From January 2026 onwards, some people may find themselves in this situation.
Actually, a major specification change is planned for Gmail, and depending on your settings, you may need to change how you receive emails.
In this article, I have summarized in 3 minutes: ✅ How to check if you are affected ✅ Measures you can take right now.
I have kept technical jargon to a minimum and will focus on "what you need to do."
📋 [First check] Do you fall into these categories? Checklist
If you meet even one of the following, I recommend checking your settings👇
□ You use the "Check mail from other accounts" feature in the PC version of Gmail
□ You are viewing your work email in Gmail as well
□ You manage Yahoo! Mail or Outlook on the Gmail screen
□ You manage multiple email addresses all in one Gmail account
□ You receive ISP emails (@nifty, @biglobe, etc.) in Gmail
If you fall into these categories, please continue reading. Even if you don't, your family or acquaintances might. Please share this with them.
🔍 What is changing?
From January 2026, these two Gmail features will no longer be supported:
❌ Gmailify ❌ "Check mail from other accounts" feature via POP connection
Many of you may be thinking, "I've never heard of that" or "What is that?"
However, if you manage other companies' emails together in the PC version of Gmail, you may be affected.
What exactly does this mean?
Simply put,
the feature that allows you to receive and manage non-Gmail email addresses (such as Yahoo! Mail or company emails) in Gmail using the POP method
is coming to an end.
To explain in more detail...
📧 Regarding the end of Gmailify You will no longer be able to apply Gmail's convenient features, such as spam protection and categorization, to third-party email accounts (Yahoo!, Outlook, etc.).
※Important: Even if you were using Gmailify, you can still receive emails directly from each provider (Yahoo!, Outlook, etc.). Only the integrated management feature within Gmail is affected.
📧 Regarding the end of POP connections POP (Post Office Protocol) is an older method that downloads and saves emails to Gmail once. The mechanism for pulling in third-party emails via this method using the "Check mail from other accounts" feature in Gmail will no longer be supported.
Moving forward, migration to IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol: real-time synchronization type) is recommended.
In other words,the very method of "integrating and managing multiple emails in Gmail" will change.
⏰ When is this happening? What will happen?
📅 Change schedule
From January 2026 (Specific date is TBD)
※Since this will be applied sequentially, the timing may vary depending on the region and account. It is not yet confirmed whether the application timing in Japan will perfectly match that of other countries.
😰 What will happen
✅ Past emails already imported into Gmail will not disappear
⚠️ From January 2026 onwards, you will no longer be able to receive new emails through this feature
⚠️ You will no longer be able to continue integrated management of third-party emails in Gmail
You need to take early action to ensure you don't miss important business emails or vital communications.
🔍 [Check now] 3-step verification method
Let's check right now if you are affected. Time required: about 30 seconds
Step 1: Open the PC version of Gmail
Access Gmail on your computer (https://mail.google.com/)
Step 2: Open the settings screen
Click the **⚙ (gear icon)** in the top right → click "See all settings"
Step 3: Check "Accounts and Import"
Click the "Accounts and Import" tab → look for the section called "Check mail from other accounts"
Result
👉 If an email address is registered in this section → **Action required!** Please continue reading for the solution (this especially applies if you are using the POP method).
👉 If nothing is registered, or the section itself does not exist → It is unlikely that you will be directly affected by this change (for peace of mind, please also check the settings in your Gmail mobile app).
✅ [Solution] How to handle each pattern
Important note: Due to this change, the method of "managing multiple third-party emails together on the PC version of Gmail" will no longer be supported.
Therefore, you need to migrate to a new management method as follows.
📱 Pattern A: For those who use their smartphone often (Recommended ★)
→ Add each account directly to the Gmail app Time required: about 3 minutes
In the Gmail mobile app, you can add and manage each email account directly (IMAP method).
Steps
Open the Gmail app on your smartphone
Tap the profile icon in the top right
Tap "Add another account"
Select your email provider (Yahoo!, Outlook, or others)
Log in with your email address and password
✅ You can continue to use it without issues after January 2026 ✅ It will automatically switch to IMAP connection (the new method) ✅ Emails will be synced across all devices
Benefits
Setup is relatively easy
You can view the same emails on multiple devices
Read/unread status is synced across all devices
📌 Note regarding smartphone apps
* In the Gmail app for smartphones, most external account additions are automatically performed using the IMAP method, so they do not fall under this discontinuation (POP method).
However, there are exceptions if you have been using old settings for many years or have special configurations. To be safe, we recommend checking the settings status of your added accounts.
💻 Pattern B: For those who mainly use a PC
→ Manage each account directly with email client software
Since integrated management in the PC version of Gmail cannot be continued, you need to migrate to a method where you set each account directly in your email software.
Recommended software
Microsoft Outlook (included with Office products)
Thunderbird (free and feature-rich)
Standard Mac Mail app (for Mac users)
Standard Windows Mail app (Windows 10/11)
How to set up
Add each email account to your email software using the IMAP method.
When configuring, please refer to the "IMAP settings" page for each email service:
Yahoo! Mail: Search for "IMAP settings" in Yahoo! Help
Outlook.com: Search for "IMAP settings" in Microsoft Support
Others: Search for "(Provider Name) IMAP settings"
Points
✅ Always select IMAP settings (do not choose POP) ✅ Major services (Yahoo!, Outlook, iCloud, etc.) all support IMAP ⚠️ This is integrated management via email software, not integrated management within Gmail
🆓 Pattern C: For those who think "settings are a hassle..."
→ Open each email service individually
Actually, this is the simplest and most reliable method.
What does this mean?
Use Gmail as is → https://mail.google.com/
Open Yahoo! Mail on Yahoo! → https://mail.yahoo.co.jp/
Open company email via the company system
Pros
No configuration work required
Reliable email reception
Less prone to issues
Cons
Cannot manage everything in one place
Need to open multiple sites/apps
You will lose the "convenience of integrated management," but you can achieve the most important goal of not missing any emails.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Will the emails I have received so far disappear?
A. They will not disappear! Emails that have already been imported into Gmail and synced will remain as they are. The impact is only on receiving new emails from January 2026 onwards.
Q2. By when do I need to take action?
A. You have until January 2026, but we recommend taking action within this year.
The specific date is undecided.
Because it is being applied sequentially, the timing may vary.
There is a possibility you will be busy and forget during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Support pages may also be congested just before the deadline.
Q3. I don't know if my settings are using the POP method.
A. You can check using the "3-step check method" above. If anything is registered under "Accounts and Import" -> "Check mail from other accounts," you may be affected.
Q4. I heard that the Gmail app on smartphones is not affected?
A. In most cases, it is not affected. Since the Gmail app on smartphones automatically uses the IMAP method when adding external accounts, most cases do not fall under this discontinuation (POP method).
However, there are exceptions if you have been using old settings for many years, so we recommend checking your settings just in case.
Q5. The settings are difficult, and I'm worried I can't do it myself.
A. Let's make use of support.
Consult with knowledgeable friends or family.
Inquire with the customer support of each email service.
Use a computer or smartphone class.
Even the simplest 'Pattern C' (opening them individually) is fine
Q6. Why are you making this change?
A. To improve security and transition to the latest technology POP (Post Office Protocol) is an old technology created in 1984. It uses a method of downloading emails once and does not support real-time synchronization.
Google wants users to 'transition to a newer and more secure method (IMAP: real-time synchronization type)'.
Q7. Will integrated management on Gmail become completely impossible?
A. Integrated management via the POP method will no longer be possible Integrated management using the 'Check mail from other accounts' feature in Gmail cannot be continued. Instead, you will need to transition to a method of managing each account directly via email software or smartphone apps.
Q8. If I was using Gmailify, will I be unable to receive emails themselves?
A. You can still receive emails themselves at each provider Even if Gmailify ends, it does not mean you will be unable to receive emails from services like Yahoo! Mail or Outlook. You can continue to receive them at each respective email service. The only thing affected is the 'application of convenient features on Gmail'.
⚠️ What happens if I don't take action?
Just in case, I will also explain the impact if you do not take action.
Impact 1: Obstacles to receiving new emails
After January 2026, there is a possibility that you will no longer be able to receive new emails from other companies that were set up using the POP method.
Impact 2: Risk of missing important communications
Important work matters
Notifications from banks and credit cards
Communications from family and friends
Service renewal notices
You may miss these.
Impact 3: Confusion from last-minute responses
As we get close to January 2026:
Support pages are congested
Slow response to inquiries
People around you say they don't know
You can handle it calmly if you do it now.
🎯 Summary: What to do today
[30 seconds] Check your PC Gmail settings → Go to 'Accounts and Import' -> Check 'Check mail from other accounts'
-
[If applicable] Choose the solution that suits you
Smartphone users → Add each account directly to the Gmail app
PC users → Use IMAP settings in your email software
Simple approach → Open each email service individually
[If you have time] Share with family and friends → Especially those who are not tech-savvy may have trouble
📢 Finally: Check and respond early
The moment you are reading this article is the best time to check your settings.Now is the best time to check your settings.
If you save it to 'Read Later', you are highly likely to forget it.
First, please take 30 seconds to check your settings.
Just knowing whether you are affected will give you peace of mind.
📚 Reference Links
*This article is based on information as of November 2025. Please check the official help page for the latest information.
Thank you for reading to the end.
If you found this article helpful, I would be happy if you could share it for others who might be having the same trouble.
I hope your email environment continues to work without issues beyond 2026.