Configure MODX to email with GMail or G Suite
Configuring MODX to use a personal Gmail or G Suite (formerly Google for Domains) account, or most other SMTP email account for that matter, is straightforward to set up from the MODX Manager.
If using an ESP isn't an option, this method will allow you to have keep a record of what was sent in your Sent folder.
Note: These instructions are for MODX Revolution 3.0 and above. The instructinos for 2.x are virtually identical except the location of the System Settings button is on the top right vs near the bottom left of the MODX Manager.
Before starting, you will need the following information in order to configure MODX to send email with your Gmail or other SMTP email account which can be found on the document, Send email from a printer, scanner, or app.
- SMTP Server Address
- Email address of the account from which you wish to send
- The password, or an application specific password if you use Google's version of Two-factor Authentication (2fA), called 2-Step Verification
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Login into the MODX Manager of the website for which you wish to send emails with Gmail, G Suite or other SMTP.
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At the bottom left of the MODX Manager, click the cog icon to reveal the menu.
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From the cog menu, click on System Settings and you'll be taken to a page with a grid of various settings and their values. -
In the field at the top right of the grid that has the placeholder text of Search by key… enter "SMTP" (without the quotation marks) as this will filter all the settings you need. -
Complete the setup of your SMTP settings as follows (the image below shows what fields you'll update.):
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SMTP Authentication
= Yes -
SMTP Hosts
= smtp.gmail.com, or your regional-specific host -
SMTP Password
= your email password , or the application specific password if you use 2-Step Verification -
SMTP Port
= 587 -
SMTP Connection Prefix
= lst -
SMTP User
= your full email address -
Use SMTP
= Yes
-
Other SMTP servers
The configurations for other local SMTP servers should be similar to the above. Consult your mail administrator for specific settings.
Testing and Troubleshooting
If you'd like to quickly test the email configuration, from the MODX Manager, go to Extras>Install Packages and click Download Packages, to search for and install QuickEmail, place the Snippet call on a page and visit the page. See our guide to Troubleshooting Email Delivery for more information.
Further reading
Two-factor Authentication (2fA), called 2-Step Verification by Google, is a really good thing. You should use it. Read more about Gmail 2-Step Verification, and go set it up, right now.