How to create an app password

For Gmail, Yahoo Mail, iCloud Mail and AOL. It takes about a minute.

• Gmail
• Yahoo Mail
• iCloud Mail
• AOL
• Outlook & Hotmail
• Cancel one

What is an app password?

An app password is a special password, usually 16 letters, that lets one email app open your mailbox. Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud and AOL don't let other email apps use your normal password, so you create one of these instead.

• Your real password stays private. The app never sees it.
• It only works for email, not for changing your account settings.
• You can cancel it any time, and only that app loses access.
• Create one per app or device, and give each a clear name, for example “Kaliham”.

Gmail

1. Turn on 2-Step Verification in your Google Account: myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/twosv. Already on? Skip to step 2.
2. Open App passwords: myaccount.google.com/apppasswords. Type a name, for example Kaliham, and click Create.
3. Copy the 16-letter password Google shows (like abcd efgh ijkl mnop) and paste it into the app. The spaces don't matter.

Yahoo Mail

1. Open Yahoo Account Security: login.yahoo.com/account/security.
2. Click Generate app password (under External connections → App passwords).
3. Name it, for example Kaliham, and click Generate.
4. Copy the password Yahoo shows and paste it into the app.

iCloud Mail

1. Sign in to your Apple Account: account.apple.com.
2. Open Sign-In and Security → App-Specific Passwords. (Your Apple Account needs two-factor authentication, which most have.)
3. Create one called Kaliham.
4. Copy it (like abcd-efgh-ijkl-mnop) and paste it into the app.

AOL

1. Open AOL Account Security: login.aol.com/account/security.
2. Click Generate app password, name it and click Generate.
3. Copy the password and paste it into the app.

Outlook, Hotmail and Microsoft 365

In Kaliham you don't need an app password for these: choose Sign in with Microsoft, sign in on Microsoft's own page and allow access. Kaliham never sees your Microsoft password.

How to cancel an app password

Open the same page where you created it and remove it:

• Gmail: myaccount.google.com/apppasswords → the trash icon next to it.
• Yahoo / AOL: Account Security → External connections → App passwords → remove it.
• iCloud: Sign-In and Security → App-Specific Passwords → remove it.

The app that used it stops getting your mail right away. If you meant to keep using it, create a new app password and enter it there.

Use it with Kaliham

In Kaliham, click Add email account, type your address, and Kaliham shows these same steps with direct links. Paste the app password and all your accounts arrive in one inbox.

More guides: Yahoo and Gmail in one inbox · Gmailify alternative