How To Enter Gmail Password On iPhone | Re-Authentication Fix

On modern iPhones, you enter your Gmail password through the official Google sign-in window in Settings > Mail > Accounts, not in a standard text field.

If you’ve just updated your Gmail password and the Mail app is still rejecting it—or if you’re staring at a blank password field wondering where to type—you’re not alone. The days of simply typing a password into a generic login box on iOS are over. Since May 2021, Google requires OAuth 2.0 authentication for security reasons. Here’s the exact way to enter your Gmail password on iPhone, whether you need to update an existing account or set up a new one.

Why Can’t I Just Type My Password Into the Mail App?

Direct entry into the username and password fields of the iOS Mail app fails because Google disabled “Less Secure App Access” in 2021. The Mail app must redirect you to a Google sign-in page to establish a secure OAuth token. If you try to force an old password or skip the sign-in window, you’ll see the “Cannot Get Mail” error. The only reliable fix is to delete the account and re-add it through the official Google OAuth flow.

If you have 2-Step Verification enabled (which is highly recommended), you won’t enter a password at all during the OAuth process. Instead, you’ll approve a sign-in prompt sent to your trusted iPhone. This is normal and applies to all Gmail accounts on iOS 15 and newer.

How To Enter Your Gmail Password on iPhone (The Right Way)

This method works for any iPhone running iOS 15 through the current version. The steps force the Mail app to show the official Google sign-in page where your password actually works.

1. Open Settings > Mail > Accounts.
2. Tap your Gmail account.
3. Tap Delete Account. Your emails will re-download after you re-add it, nothing is permanently lost.
4. Tap Add Account > Google.
5. Enter your Gmail email address and tap Next.
6. A Google Sign-In window opens. Enter your current Gmail password here.
7. If prompted, toggle the data you want to sync (Mail, Contacts, Calendars) and tap Save.

The Mail app will immediately begin syncing your inbox. The “Cannot Get Mail” error will disappear after you force-close and reopen the app.

Method Comparison: Which Should You Use?

The table below breaks down when to use the Mail app method versus other ways to handle your Gmail credentials.

What If You Forgot Your Password? (Reset Steps)

If you don’t know your Gmail password, you can’t just enter a new one into the Mail app. You must reset it through Google’s official recovery flow first. Google’s official help page recommends using the Gmail app for the smoothest experience.

1. Open the Gmail app on your iPhone.
2. Tap your profile picture > Manage your Google Account.
3. Tap Personal info > Password.
4. Follow the recovery steps (phone verification or backup email).
5. After you set a new password, go back to Settings > Mail > Accounts and follow the re-authentication steps above.

If you have a work or school Google Workspace account, your IT admin may enforce additional security requirements. The password reset process will look slightly different, and you may need to contact your admin for support.

Troubleshooting: Stuck In A Login Loop?

Sometimes the Mail app keeps asking for your password even after you’ve entered it correctly. The issue is usually a stale OAuth token. Deleting the account and re-adding it forces a fresh token. If that still fails, check the table below for common pitfalls.

Finish The Setup Without The Errors

The single most reliable way to enter your Gmail password on an iPhone is to let the official Google sign-in page handle it through OAuth. Never type your password into the Mail app’s generic “Password” field—it won’t work. Instead, delete the account from Settings > Mail > Accounts and re-add it by selecting Google from the list. This forces the secure login flow that Google requires, and one clean re-authentication fixes the loop every time.