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Know the Simultaneous Gmail IMAP Connection Limit

Sort out your accounts to keep Gmail running

By Heinz Tschabitscher Heinz Tschabitscher Writer University of Vienna A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 19, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Email Gmail Yahoo! Mail Gmail has a limit for concurrent IMAP connections. Here's what you can do if you run into IMAP errors because of it.

Why Me Gmail and IMAP Access

A Gmail connection error stating, "Too many simultaneous connections" might be confusing, but it is not uncommon. This issue can be fixed for good so you can access your Gmail in your email program, just as before. Image Source / Getty Images

Know the Simultaneous Gmail IMAP Connection Limit

Gmail supports up to 15 simultaneous connections by IMAP. Keep in mind that one email program may keep open more than one IMAP connection to Gmail at the same time, to keep multiple folders up to date, for example.

Dealing with the Gmail IMAP Connection Limit and " Too Many Simultaneous Connections" Error

To fix the "too many simultaneous connections" Gmail IMAP error, try the following tips: Close any email programs that run in the background on your computers with the Gmail account set up using IMAP; they might keep connections open persistently. Do try to connect to Gmail in your desired email program after each other program you close to identify possible culprits for keeping a large number of Gmail IMAP connections open. Turn off any unused devices (such as tablets or phones): email programs on these devices may be connected to IMAP on the background. Do try your favored application after having shut down each device. If you identify a device as causing the connection failures: Close the email program you do want to use (the one that returned error messages before). Turn the offending device back on. Re-launch your desired email application. Identify and individually turn off email programs (including email programs running in the background). Try connecting in the email program you desire to use after each app to identify the one that causes the connection failures. Identify services that might connect to your Gmail account via IMAP. Disable or disallow services selectively and try checking for messages in the email program that returned errors. You can re-enable and again allow services, of course, after you have gotten your main and preferred email program going. Start with the most important third-party services, and use alternative methods to connect to Gmail (such as OAuth) whenever possible.

Are There Any Other Gmail Limits I Should Know

To protect its service and users, Gmail has limits on many a thing you can do with email, of course. Most importantly, you can only send and receive messages up to a certain size limit. For this limit, it does not matter whether you use the web interface or connect through an email client using IMAP (for receiving mail and accessing folders) and SMTP (for sending messages). Also, Gmail curbs the size of the total data—emails, attachments, etc.—you can keep in your account. You can lift the limit for a fee to store more emails and files. Finally, you can impose a limit yourself: to make IMAP access faster—for as many connections as are allowed…—, Gmail lets you offer only a certain number of recent emails by IMAP to email programs and services that connect through that protocol. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Reduce Email Traffic and Make Gmail IMAP Faster How to Find Out Who (or What) Is Accessing Your Gmail Here Are the IMAP Settings You Need to Set Up Gmail How to Download Gmail Chat Logs via IMAP How to Hide Folders and Labels in Gmail IMAP How to Export Emails From Outlook 10 Best Free Email Accounts for 2022 How to Delete Gmail Emails Faster on Android The 5 Best Secure Email Services for 2022 How to Access Gmail with Outlook Using IMAP How to Access Gmail in iPhone Mail How to Check Your Google Storage Quota How to Delete Your Gmail Account What to Do When Gmail Is Not Working on iPhone How to Access Gmail With Thunderbird How to Use Gmail on a Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies