Connecting Outlook.com and Google Workplace - security issue to sync

Google Workspace Developers Q&A
,
1

Been trying to sync my business Google Workspace account with my host agency Outlook account. The tech company for agency says Google workplace does not ahve high enough standards to make it sync. To quote -

“Outlook uses Modern OAuth2 for its minimum authentication standard, and Gmail uses IMAP and POP3. How do I connect my outlook.com to my gmail, when gmail has a lower security standard, as IMAP/POP3 isn’t sufficient?”

Any info on this?

2

Hi Sr

That information from your host agency’s tech company is outdated and incorrect. Google Workspace not only meets modern security standards but is a leader in implementing them. Here’s a breakdown of the situation and how to resolve it.

The claim that Google Workspace (Gmail) has “lower security standards” because it uses IMAP/POP3 is misleading. While Gmail supports these protocols for broad compatibility, its required and default authentication method for modern applications like Outlook is OAuth 2.0, the same high standard Outlook uses.

Key Security Facts:

  • Google Supports Modern Auth (OAuth 2.0): Google Workspace fully supports OAuth 2.0, which allows applications like Outlook to access your account data without ever needing to store your password. This is the industry standard for secure, delegated access.

  • Phasing Out Older Methods: Google is actively phasing out what it calls “less secure app access”—the ability to use just a username and password (basic authentication) with protocols like IMAP. As of March 14, 2025, this method will be completely turned off for all Google accounts to enhance security.

  • Security is a Core Feature: Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 have robust, enterprise-grade security features. The idea that one is fundamentally less secure than the other is inaccurate.

How to Sync Your Accounts Correctly

The issue is not a lack of security on Google’s part, but a misunderstanding by the tech company. The correct and recommended way to sync a full Google Workspace account with Outlook on a Windows computer is by using Google’s own tool.

Recommended Solution: Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook (GWSMO)

The best method is to use the official Google Workspace Sync for Microsoft Outlook (GWSMO) tool. This is a dedicated application provided by Google that creates a separate profile in Outlook to sync your:

  • Email

  • Calendar

  • Contacts

  • Notes

  • Tasks

This tool ensures a deep and accurate synchronization between the two platforms, using secure authentication. You can download it and find instructions on the Google Workspace Learning Center. Your Workspace administrator may need to ensure certain API settings are enabled for this to work.

By using GWSMO, you bypass the manual IMAP setup and use Google’s own secure and fully supported method for integration.

3

Thanks for the response.

Not trying to sync with Outlook on a computer, the program, but outlook.com. I think it is also called Microsft 365. It is the online version. Not the desktop.

I am trying to add the account from Google Workplace and it wont verify, and the tech company says its a Google Workplace issue.

It is