How the HELL to I add an Outlook account to GMAIL.

Question

How the HELL to I add an Outlook account to GMAIL.

DaleWebb-7341 25

Tried every which way. Tried both Copilot and Gemini. No dice. Has Microsoft permanently blocked it? Can't we all just get along?

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Jack Ruh 0 Reputation points

2026-03-23T18:34:13.73+00:00

Is there a resolution to this? This is an ongoing issue I have too.
maat az ward 0 Reputation points

2026-04-17T01:35:36.69+00:00
Idk if you're still having issues - but the thing that finally worked for me was installing the Microsoft Authenticator app (from Google Play). Literally every other option I tried to add my Outlook accounts to Gmail - signing in to the Outlook account with my password, or getting a confirmation code by text or email, or adding the server details manually - brought up an 'unable to authenticate' error or a server problem, but once the authenticator was installed, Gmail started displaying the authentication number screen (which it was skipping before) and it finally worked.

In the authenticator:

Click the + and follow the on screen steps to sign in to the Outlook/Hotmail account (you can add more than one - I have three)

Enable notifications via the settings (three vertical dots)

In Gmail:

Tap the circle with your initials/profile pic in the top right corner

Tap 'Add another account'

Select 'Other' (none of the other options worked for me)

Enter email address and tap 'Next'

Sometimes I was immediately offered the option to sign in using the authenticator, sometimes not - if it offers you a different method, tap 'Sign in another way' and then select 'Approve sign-in with a mobile app'

A number will appear on-screen - you'll also get a notification from the authenticator app. Tap the notification, select the number that matches the one on screen, and tap Approve (I had biometrics set up so I had to give my fingerprint as well)

It'll ask if you want to stay signed in - tap yes

Gmail then has a couple set-up option screens (sync frequency, notifications, etc), set what you want then tap 'Next'

It should give you a 'Your account is set up' screen - fill in the account and display names and click 'Next' to complete the process, and repeat for any additional accounts

4 answers

Jack Ruh 0 Reputation points

2026-03-23T18:34:13.73+00:00

Is there a resolution to this? This is an ongoing issue I have too.
maat az ward 0 Reputation points

2026-04-17T01:35:36.69+00:00

Idk if you're still having issues - but the thing that finally worked for me was installing the Microsoft Authenticator app (from Google Play). Literally every other option I tried to add my Outlook accounts to Gmail - signing in to the Outlook account with my password, or getting a confirmation code by text or email, or adding the server details manually - brought up an 'unable to authenticate' error or a server problem, but once the authenticator was installed, Gmail started displaying the authentication number screen (which it was skipping before) and it finally worked.

In the authenticator:

Click the + and follow the on screen steps to sign in to the Outlook/Hotmail account (you can add more than one - I have three)

Enable notifications via the settings (three vertical dots)

In Gmail:

Tap the circle with your initials/profile pic in the top right corner

Tap 'Add another account'

Select 'Other' (none of the other options worked for me)

Enter email address and tap 'Next'

Sometimes I was immediately offered the option to sign in using the authenticator, sometimes not - if it offers you a different method, tap 'Sign in another way' and then select 'Approve sign-in with a mobile app'

A number will appear on-screen - you'll also get a notification from the authenticator app. Tap the notification, select the number that matches the one on screen, and tap Approve (I had biometrics set up so I had to give my fingerprint as well)

It'll ask if you want to stay signed in - tap yes

Gmail then has a couple set-up option screens (sync frequency, notifications, etc), set what you want then tap 'Next'

It should give you a 'Your account is set up' screen - fill in the account and display names and click 'Next' to complete the process, and repeat for any additional accounts

Answer 1

DaleWebb-7341 25

I finally went about it from the Google side. Google added it where Microsoft denied.

Jack Ruh 0 Reputation points

2026-03-23T19:22:25.5933333+00:00

could you elaborate "from the google side"?
DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-23T20:40:42.6633333+00:00

I added Outlook to Google rather than vice versa. Think I did it right on the phone, but maybe on computer; don't remember. Only Google took Outlook when outlook wouldn't take google.

Answer 2

Thank you for the detailed explanation. That helps.

Since the error shows "Unable to authorize" after you successfully sign in, the issue may be happening during the Microsoft permission step that Gmail should request but never appears.

A few things I suggest checking:

Check if two-step verification or security approval is enabled:

Please sign in to your Microsoft account here: https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional
Look for any Sign-in approval, Authenticator request, or two-step verification that may be waiting.

Remove any existing Gmail access permissions:

Sometimes a previous permission gets stuck.
Go to: https://account.live.com/proofs/manage/additional
Look for Gmail or Google in the list.
Remove it if present.
Then try adding the account again in the Gmail app.

Try adding it using "Exchange and Office 365" instead:

In the Gmail app: Settings > Add account > Exchange and Office 365
Then enter your Outlook email and password.

Test with the Outlook mobile app (recommended):

Install the Microsoft Outlook app from the Play Store and sign in with the same account.
This will help confirm whether the account itself signs in normally.

Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions or concerns.

DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-16T01:52:59.1666667+00:00

A few things I suggest checking:

Check if two-step verification or security approval is enabled: NOT enabled

Remove any existing Gmail access permissions: Sorry, I do not see a list of anything there.

Try adding it using "Exchange and Office 365" instead: Tried. Didn't work. Sent me back to use Outlook choice.

Test with the Outlook mobile app (recommended): Had Outlook installed and tried to use it. Didn't work as I needed. All I want is an app to send EMail notifications to a complication on my phone with the least grief possible. I use Thunderbird as my "usual" email client. It does not support complications

Both Copilot and Gemini mumbled something about NEW MS security settings that block a "token" that is needed to verify/enable the connection. Bless Microsoft's little heart.

Answer 3

John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Independent Advisor

Thank you for letting me know.

Microsoft has not permanently blocked Gmail from connecting to Outlook.com accounts, so it should still work. The "Unable to authorize" message usually means the authorization page between Google and Microsoft did not complete properly.

A couple more things worth checking:

Try removing and adding the account again after clearing Gmail data:

Sometimes the Gmail app keeps a bad authorization token.
Go to Android Settings > Apps > Gmail > Storage
Tap Clear cache and Clear data
Open Gmail again and try Add account > Outlook, Hotmail, and Live

Check if Microsoft sign-in verification is triggering in the background:

When you mentioned it asked you to click a number, that usually means Microsoft is trying to use the Microsoft Authenticator number match method. If that prompt cannot complete, Gmail may fail the authorization.
When signing in again, watch for any number prompt or approval request on the sign-in page.

Test if the account signs in normally in the phone browser

Open this in Chrome or Firefox on the phone and sign in: https://outlook.live.com/mail
If that login works normally, then the account itself is fine and the problem is likely with the Gmail authorization flow.

What Android version is the phone running?

Does the Gmail app open a Microsoft sign-in page inside Gmail, or does it switch to the phone browser during sign-in?

DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-17T16:24:23.74+00:00

I answered your questions. Never heard back.
John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T18:09:22.3733333+00:00

I followed up. Please check the comment section from earlier.
Noelle P 0 Reputation points

2026-08-31T20:07:34.59+00:00

If i clear gmail data then my other email accounts will be deleted. I already have Google mail accounts on my Gmail app which are working.

Reluctant to remove them to access Outlook one!
Hornblower409 14,425 Reputation points

2026-09-01T15:06:41.2566667+00:00

@Noelle P said

I already have Google mail accounts on my Gmail app which are working. Reluctant to remove them to access Outlook one!

You will probably not get any help for your issue by adding to an existing post. I would suggest that you start a new thread using the "Ask a question" button at the top of this page to create a new Question and include the details for your specific problem. This provides much higher visibility to your issue than adding on to an existing post, which is only seen by people who are already following this question.

(You can put the link for this page in your new Question for reference)

Answer 4

John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Independent Advisor

Hi, I'm John!

I noticed you posted under Outlook for Android, to help narrow down the issue:

Are you trying to add your Outlook email to the Gmail mobile app on Android?
What error message do you see when trying to add the account?
Are you using an @outlook.com / @hotmail.com / @live.com address, or a work/school account?
At what step does it fail?

In the Gmail app on Android, you can add an Outlook account by doing this: https://support.microsoft.com/office/add-your-outlook-com-account-to-another-mail-app-or-smart-device-73f3b178-0009-41ae-aab1-87b80fa94970 expand the "Android phones" section.

Also, it is recommended to use the Microsoft Outlook mobile app from the Google Play Store when accessing Outlook accounts on Android. It is designed for Microsoft accounts and usually connects without issues.

If the issue persists, please provide more details by answering my questions.

Click "Add comment" below to let me know.

Regards,

John J.D.

DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-16T00:59:54.16+00:00
Have tried with Firefox and Chrome. Cleared cache multiple times, rebooted phone.

Are you trying to add your Outlook email to the Gmail mobile app on Android? Yes

What error message do you see when trying to add the account? Unable to authorize

Are you using an @outlook.com / @hotmail.com / @live.com address, or a work/school account? @outlook.com

At what step does it fail? Sign in to Microsoft account > gives me some static about clicking on a number (which I am unable to find) > sign in with password > signed in > unable to authorizeGmail app

Swipe in from the left side of the screen and select Settings > Add account. Tapped Face Icon > add account.

Choose Outlook, Hotmail, and Live. Done

Enter your email address and select Next. Microsoft email adddress

Enter your password and select Sign in. Microsoft password

If you've enabled two-step verification for your account, approve the sign-in request. Haven't that I know of.

Answer Yes to the question Let this app access your info? You can change these permissions at any time in your account settings. Never get this prompt > Unable to verify Note: If you choose No, the Microsoft Outlook app won't be able to set up your account.

Choose how often you want the Gmail app to sync with your account and select Next. Never get

Confirm your account name and the name that is displayed on your messages and select Next. Never get
DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-18T22:32:14.1666667+00:00

Answered your questions. Never heard back.
John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-18T22:37:21.6633333+00:00

Could you check the thread online: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5823127/how-the-hell-to-i-add-an-outlook-account-to-gmail thank you.
DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-18T23:47:37.3533333+00:00

Not sure what you are asking me to do. Following that link takes me to this conversation. I see NO replies from you.
John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-18T23:51:23.95+00:00

I now converted my last comment to an answer, could you check it again? Thanks.
DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-19T03:07:23.6866667+00:00

I'm sorry. One of us is lost and it probably me, but I see nothing except: "I now converted my last comment to an answer, could you check it again? Thanks." This whole interface is confusing to me. An EMAIL-like interface makes much more sense.
John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-19T03:15:43.1866667+00:00

I understand, thanks for sharing what you see on your end. I will copy and paste my response; allow me a moment.
John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-19T03:16:29.9966667+00:00
Thank you for letting me know.

Microsoft has not permanently blocked Gmail from connecting to Outlook.com accounts, so it should still work. The "Unable to authorize" message usually means the authorization page between Google and Microsoft did not complete properly.

A couple more things worth checking:

Try removing and adding the account again after clearing Gmail data:

Sometimes the Gmail app keeps a bad authorization token.

Go to Android Settings > Apps > Gmail > Storage

Tap Clear cache and Clear data

Open Gmail again and try Add account > Outlook, Hotmail, and Live

Check if Microsoft sign-in verification is triggering in the background:

When you mentioned it asked you to click a number, that usually means Microsoft is trying to use the Microsoft Authenticator number match method. If that prompt cannot complete, Gmail may fail the authorization.

When signing in again, watch for any number prompt or approval request on the sign-in page.

Test if the account signs in normally in the phone browser

Open this in Chrome or Firefox on the phone and sign in: https://outlook.live.com/mail

If that login works normally, then the account itself is fine and the problem is likely with the Gmail authorization flow.

What Android version is the phone running?

Does the Gmail app open a Microsoft sign-in page inside Gmail, or does it switch to the phone browser during sign-in?
DaleWebb-7341 25 Reputation points

2026-03-19T19:01:29.79+00:00

Thank you for your help. I managed to get connected through Google. Not sure what was different. But got connected. Never figured out the 'number' screen that popped up. Was able to use my password.
Appreciate you sticking with me.
John Jefferson Doyon 86,625 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-19T19:05:04.6766667+00:00

I'm happy to help! Thank you for your patience. Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Kandikattu Sai Venkata Satya Karthik 0 Reputation points

2026-08-25T12:53:30.0633333+00:00

@DaleWebb-7341 Hey bro, How did you "managed to get connected through Google" ? I still get "Unable to authenticate" on my mobile despite showing successful signin activity in my outlook account.

So I pulled the logs through ADB and saw that Gmail was actually getting the OAuth credentials successfully, but then it tried to fetch the account information through:

https://apis.live.net/v5.0/me

and that request was failing. The log then said:

We have credentials but we don't know the email address.

I also tested the endpoint from my PC and got an HTTP 400 response saying “Our services aren't available right now.”

So I'm pretty sure the Microsoft authentication itself isn't the problem, but Gmail's next step after authentication is failing. I think the Google team needs to look into this, because I'm still facing this problem even after 6 months since this thread started.

Right now, the only workaround I've found is choosing “Other” instead of “Outlook, Hotmail and Live” when adding the account. That works, but then the profile picture is generic, and the account uses a different sync frequency because it's being added as a manual IMAP account rather than through Gmail's native Outlook integration.

Can you tell me how you solved this?