How to Set Up IMAP, 2FA, and App Passwords on Gmail (for ProTickets Inbox)

The ProTickets Inbox reads verification codes, presale codes, and magic links straight from your email accounts, so you never miss an on-sale because a code was buried in your inbox. To connect a Gmail account securely you need three things: 2-step verification, an app password, and IMAP. This guide walks through each step, then shows you how to plug the account into ProTickets.

Gmail IMAP Settings

ProTickets fills these in for you when you pick Gmail, but here they are for reference:

• IMAP server: imap.gmail.com
• Port: 993
• Security: SSL/TLS
• Username: your full Gmail address
• Password: your 16-character app password (not your normal Google password)

Step 1: Turn On 2-Step Verification

Google only lets you create app passwords once 2-step verification is on.

• Open your Google Account and go to the Security section.
• Under "How you sign in to Google", click 2-Step Verification.
• Click Get started and follow the prompts: confirm your password, add a phone number, and enter the code Google sends you.
• Finish until you see that 2-Step Verification is On.

Step 2: Create an App Password

An app password is a 16-character key that lets ProTickets read the mailbox without ever seeing your real password.

• On your Google Account Security page, open App passwords (you can also go straight to myaccount.google.com/apppasswords).
• Confirm your password if asked.
• Type a name you will recognize, such as "ProTickets Inbox", and click Create.
• Google shows a 16-character password in a yellow box. Copy it now, because Google will not show it again. The spaces do not matter.

Step 3: Confirm IMAP Is On

IMAP is enabled by default on most Gmail accounts, but it is worth a quick check.

• Open Gmail in a browser, click the gear icon, then See all settings.
• Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
• Under "IMAP access", select Enable IMAP, then click Save Changes.

Step 4: Connect Gmail to the ProTickets Inbox

• Open the Inbox in ProTickets and go to the Emails tab.
• Click Add source and choose Gmail as the provider.
• Enter your full Gmail address and paste the app password from Step 2.
• Click Connect and validate. ProTickets checks the IMAP login before saving, so you know right away if the password is correct.
• Click Sync to pull your latest messages. That is it.

If you generated buyer accounts in ProTickets that already include an email and app password, the Inbox can connect them for you automatically the next time you sync, so you can skip the manual step entirely.

What the ProTickets Inbox Does With Your Gmail

Once connected, the Inbox does the heavy lifting:

• Pulls codes automatically: verification and one-time codes, presale codes, and magic links from Ticketmaster, AXS, SeatGeek, StubHub, Vivid Seats, and more.
• Checks the right folders: it also scans Spam and Promotions, where ticketing codes often land, so nothing slips through.
• Keeps only what matters: messages without a code or link are discarded after the sync, so your view stays clean.
• Stays secure: your app password is stored encrypted with AES-256, decrypted only at sync time, and never logged.

FAQ

Why do I need an app password instead of my normal password?

Google blocks regular passwords for third-party mail access when 2-step verification is on. An app password is scoped to a single app and can be revoked any time without changing your main password.

Is my password safe?

ProTickets stores app passwords encrypted with AES-256-GCM and never keeps your plaintext password in the database. You can revoke an app password from your Google Account whenever you want.

My code is not showing up. What should I check?

Make sure IMAP is enabled, the app password was copied correctly, and you clicked Sync. The Inbox also scans Spam and Promotions, but a brand-new message can take a moment to arrive, so sync again after a few seconds.

Conclusion

Three quick steps in Google, one in ProTickets, and your Gmail is feeding codes straight into your dashboard. Connect every mailbox you use for on-sales, and let the ProTickets Inbox surface the right code at the right moment so you can act first.