1. techsciencetoday.com
  2. Tech

  3. These Gmail Features Will Be Removed Starting In 2026 – Here’s a Trick You Can Use Then

Posted inTech

These Gmail Features Will Be Removed Starting In 2026 – Here’s a Trick You Can Use Then

Avatar photoby Jana Stavburo

If you use other email services besides Gmail, you’ll have to make a change soon. Starting in 2026, the provider plans to delete two practical features that could link multiple accounts.

A person holding a smartphone with the Gmail app on the screen.
© Diego - stock.adobe.com

Is Google Still Organizing the World’s Information — or Just Controlling It?

Google still organizes the world’s information — but now it decides who gets seen. As convenience grows, so does its power to shape what we know, and what we miss.

Anyone who uses Gmail will soon notice some changes. The email service from Google will be removing some features in 2026. These include operators that are mainly used for third-party accounts and a practical spam filtering feature.

Gmail: Familiar Features Will Be Deleted

Google is constantly expanding its offerings and is using Gemini in more and more applications. In addition to the Google Home app, the AI bot will soon be used in Google TVs, replacing Google Assistant, but not only that, important adjustments are also coming to the Gmail email service. According to German website, Caschy’s Blog, two well-known functions are set to be removed as early as next year. These include POP3 support for third-party accounts and Gmailify.

POP3 support allows you to import emails from other email accounts, such as third-party accounts like Yahoo Mail or Outlook, into your Gmail account. This feature has been helpful for managing all your emails in one place and for backing up your messages in Gmail.

With Gmailify, you could link your account with other email providers to Gmail, even without importing them first using the POP3 feature. This way, your emails could also be read, searched, and managed on the Google service. This saved you time since you didn’t have to switch back and forth between profiles, and you could also use practical features like Gmail’s spam filter.

Latest News

This Trick Bypasses the Gmail Update

There doesn’t seem to be a reason from Google’s side for removing the two Gmail features. Users on Reddit suspect that POP3 has no commercial value for the company and that its maintenance is too costly. Additionally, the feature carries a higher risk of cyberattacks due to its reliance on an outdated standard.

So while Google is discontinuing POP3 support starting in 2026, you can still find the feature offered by numerous providers and switch to them. If you still prefer Gmail as your email service, you can use the IMAP protocol as an alternative.

This more modern email system allows messages to be stored and managed directly on the server, giving you access from your phone, PC, or the web. Offline access is also available after synchronization. However, a significant drawback is that the free versions often come with limited storage space. But at least you still feel like you’re using Gmail.

Source: Caschy’s Blog, Reddit

This article was translated with the help of AI and carefully reviewed by our editorial team.