Email Setup
Connect Your Email via IMAP
Connecting your email allows Meridian to automatically import correspondence related to your tax advisory work. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard protocol that lets Meridian read your emails without moving or deleting them.
Quick Reference
| Provider | IMAP Host | Port | Auth Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gmail | imap.gmail.com | 993 | App Password required |
| Outlook / Microsoft 365 | outlook.office365.com | 993 | App Password if MFA enabled |
| Yahoo Mail | imap.mail.yahoo.com | 993 | App Password required |
| Other | Check provider docs | 993 | Typically SSL/TLS |
Gmail
Gmail requires an App Password instead of your regular Google password. This is a security measure — Google does not allow third-party apps to use your main password directly.
How to generate a Gmail App Password:
- Go to your Google Account settings (myaccount.google.com)
- Navigate to Security
- Under "Signing in to Google", ensure 2-Step Verification is enabled (required)
- Go back to Security → App Passwords (or search for "App Passwords" in your account settings)
- Select Mail as the app, choose your device, and click Generate
- Copy the 16-character password — use this in Meridian's IMAP settings instead of your Google password
Important
IMAP must be enabled in your Gmail settings: Gmail → Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → Enable IMAP.
Outlook / Microsoft 365
For most Outlook and Microsoft 365 accounts, you can use your regular email password. However, if you have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled, you will need to generate an app password.
Connection details:
- IMAP Host:
outlook.office365.com - Port: 993 (SSL/TLS)
- Password: Your regular password, or an App Password if MFA is enabled
If you need an App Password (MFA enabled):
- Sign in to your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com
- Go to Security → Advanced security options
- Under "App passwords", click Create a new app password
- Copy the generated password and use it in Meridian
Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail always requires an App Password for third-party email access.
How to generate a Yahoo App Password:
- Sign in to your Yahoo account and go to Account Security
- Click Generate app password
- Select "Other App" and enter "Meridian" as the name
- Copy the generated password and use it in Meridian
Connection details: Host imap.mail.yahoo.com, Port 993 (SSL/TLS).
Other Email Providers
For other email providers, check your provider's help documentation for IMAP settings. You will typically need:
- IMAP server hostname (e.g.,
imap.yourdomain.com) - Port number — usually 993 for SSL/TLS connections
- Your email address and password (or app password if your provider requires it)
Troubleshooting
"Authentication failed"
This usually means you need an App Password instead of your regular password. Gmail and Yahoo always require app passwords. Outlook requires one if MFA is enabled.
"Connection timed out"
Verify the IMAP host and port are correct. Ensure port 993 is not blocked by your firewall or network. Try switching to a different network to test.
"Less secure apps" notice (Gmail)
Google deprecated the "Less secure apps" setting. You must use an App Password with 2-Step Verification enabled instead.
Security
Your email credentials are encrypted at rest using industry-standard encryption. Meridian stores only the encrypted form of your password — it is never stored in plain text and cannot be retrieved by our team.
Email data is synced only for the purpose of building your case documentation. You can pause or disconnect email sync at any time from the Settings page.