6 min readUpdated August 2026
Connecting Email Accounts (OAuth & Custom SMTP/IMAP)
Step-by-step guide to connecting Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Custom SMTP/IMAP email accounts to Shakehand.
Key Feature Highlights
- Google Workspace & Gmail App Password support
- Microsoft 365 / Outlook direct OAuth
- Custom SMTP (Port 587 / 465) & IMAP (Port 993)
- Per-account daily sending caps & custom signatures
Option A: Google Workspace / Gmail (App Password Setup)
For maximum security and reliability when using Gmail or Google Workspace accounts:
Use App Passwords, Not Regular Passwords
Google requires 16-character App Passwords for third-party SMTP/IMAP connections. Never enter your main Google account password.
1. Go to your Google Account Settings -> Security.
2. Ensure 2-Step Verification is turned ON.
3. Search for "App Passwords" in the top search bar.
4. Create a new App Password named "Shakehand". Copy the generated 16-character key.
5. In Shakehand -> Accounts -> Add Account -> Choose Custom SMTP/IMAP.
6. Enter Host: smtp.gmail.com | Port: 587 (TLS) | Username: Your Gmail | Password: The 16-char App Password.
7. Enter IMAP Host: imap.gmail.com | Port: 993 (SSL).
Option B: Microsoft 365 / Outlook
Connect Microsoft 365 accounts via OAuth or SMTP:
1. In Shakehand -> Accounts -> Click "Connect Outlook / Microsoft 365".
2. Authorize Shakehand in the Microsoft sign-in popup.
3. Alternatively, for manual SMTP: Host: smtp.office365.com (Port 587) | IMAP Host: outlook.office365.com (Port 993).
Option C: Custom SMTP & IMAP Configuration
For custom domain mail servers (Zoho, Namecheap, Titan, cPanel):
Daily Sending Limits
We recommend setting daily limits to 30-50 emails per account with a minimum delay of 120-180 seconds between consecutive emails.
| Protocol | Standard Host | Recommended Port | Security Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMTP (Outgoing) | smtp.yourdomain.com | 587 or 465 | TLS / STARTTLS / SSL |
| IMAP (Incoming) | imap.yourdomain.com | 993 | SSL / TLS |