Adding a Google Apps Account to Apple Mail, iCal, and iChat

This KB Article References: Google Mail
This Information is Intended for: Instructors, Staff, Students
Created: 12/17/2013 Last Updated: 04/08/2024

I. Before You Start

Important! In order to access Stony Brook's Google Apps in your Mac apps you will have to first change your NetID password in the SOLAR System.

Log in to SOLAR and click on the NetID Maintenance link to change your NetID password. It takes 10-15 minutes for the new password to take effect. Please note, if your NetID password is not immediately accepted while following the below steps, it may be because your password is not yet synchronized with Google's servers. Normally, after some time, the password will sync up and allow you to connect.

II. Enable IMAP

  1. Log into your Gmail account at http://www.stonybrook.edu/mycloud using your NetID and NetID Password
  2. In the top-right corner of mail, click on the gear icon and select Settings
    google mail gear menu with settings selected
  3. Select Forwarding and POP/IMAP
    Google mail settings for forwarding
  4. Make sure that IMAP is enabled by selecting the Enable IMAP button. Also select Auto-Expunge On and Do not limit the number of messages in an IMAP Folder depending on your preferences. Click Save Changes.
    google mail forwarding IMAP settings
  5. You have now succesfully pre-configured your Google Apps for Education account for use with Apple Mail. Now follow the steps below for setting up Apple Mail, iCal, Contacts, iChat/iMessages

III. Set Up Apple Mail, iCal, Contacts, iChat/iMessages

You can set up several apps (Apple Mail, iCal, iMessages, etc.) or just one.

Different versions of Mac OS/OS X may work slightly differently. If you have any issues during setup, contact the support group for assistance. 
  1. Click the apple icon  in the top-left corner and select System Preferences and then Internet Accounts (on older versions of the OS, select Mail, Contacts, & Calendars)
  2. Select Google
    Add Google account
  3. In the Sign in window, enter your first.last@stonybrook.edu email address and click Next. Then authenticate with your NetID and NetID Password
     sign in with Google Account
  4. Select which apps to use with the account (or unselect any you don't want to use) and click Done
    select with apps to use with the account
  5. The account is added to the list of accounts. Open an app you chose to use (e.g., Apple Mail or iCal) and content will begin populating
    Google account added to apple

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