How to Fix "Application-specific password required" Error in Python Email

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to Sending Emails with Python
2. Creating the Email File
3. Storing Email Variables in a Separate File
4. Importing the SMTP Library
5. Establishing a Connection with Gmail
6. Enabling TLS for Secure Connection
7. Logging into the Gmail Account
8. Handling Username and Password Authentication
9. Troubleshooting Socket Errors
10. Setting up App Password for Gmail
11. Sending the Email
12. Closing the Connection
13. Adding a Subject Line to the Email
14. Conclusion

Introduction to Sending Emails with Python

In this article, we will explore how to send emails using Python. We will cover the basics of using the smtplib library to establish a connection with Gmail and send an email. We will also address common errors that beginners may encounter and provide solutions to resolve them. By the end of this article, You will have a clear understanding of how to send emails programmatically using Python.

Creating the Email File

To get started, we need to Create an email file. It is important to choose a proper file name, such as "email_demo.py", and avoid using names that conflict with existing Python modules or directories. In this file, we will write the code for sending the email.

Storing Email Variables in a Separate File

To ensure the security of our Gmail credentials, we will store the sender's email and receiver's email in a separate file. This way, we can avoid hardcoding the credentials in the main file. We'll create a file named "where.py" to store these variables.

Importing the SMTP Library

We need to import the smtplib library, which stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. This library is built-in and does not require any additional installation. It allows us to establish a connection with the Gmail server and send emails.

Establishing a Connection with Gmail

Similar to opening Gmail in a web browser, we need to create a connection with the Gmail server. We will use the SMTP server provided by Google, which is "smtp.gmail.com". We also enable Transport Layer Security (TLS) for a secure connection.

Logging into the Gmail Account

Just like logging into Gmail using our credentials in the web browser, we need to log in using our sender email and password in Python. We will use the connection.login() method and provide the sender email as the username and the password as a secure input. To avoid exposing the password, we'll import it from the "where.py" file.

Handling Username and Password Authentication

In case you encounter an error related to socket or port permissions, it means that the port for SMTP is missing. You can add port 587 or 25 to resolve this issue. Additionally, we'll import the os module to access the imported variables from the "where.py" file.

Troubleshooting Socket Errors

If you receive an error stating "username and password not accepted," it means there is an issue with your credentials. Ensure that the correct password is provided and imported correctly from the "where.py" file.

Setting up App Password for Gmail

To send emails using Gmail with Python or any other programming language, we need to set up app passwords. Google has disabled the use of less secure apps, so we'll generate an app password. To do this, we need to enable two-step verification for our Gmail account and generate a 16-digit password.

Sending the Email

Once the connection is established and We Are logged in, we can send the email using the connection.sendmail() method. We will provide the sender email and receiver email as the "from" and "to" addresses, respectively. We can also specify the message content.

Closing the Connection

After sending the email, it is important to close the connection using the connection.close() method. This ensures that the connection is properly terminated.

Adding a Subject Line to the Email

To avoid the email being marked as spam, it is recommended to include a subject line. We can add the subject line by specifying "Subject: EMAIL_SUBJECT" at the beginning of the email body.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned how to send emails using Python and the smtplib library. We explored various steps, such as creating the email file, establishing a connection with Gmail, handling username and password authentication, troubleshooting common errors, and setting up app passwords. We also covered how to include a subject line in the email. By following these steps, you can easily send emails programmatically using Python and enhance your applications with email functionality.

Highlights:

• Learn how to send emails using Python
• Establish a connection with the Gmail server
• Handle username and password authentication
• Troubleshoot common socket errors
• Set up app passwords for secure email sending

FAQ:

Q: Why do I need to store email variables in a separate file? A: Storing email variables in a separate file helps ensure the security of your credentials. It allows you to avoid hardcoding them in your main file.

Q: What should I do if I encounter a socket error? A: If you encounter a socket error, it means the port for SMTP is missing. You can resolve this by adding port 587 or 25 to your code to establish a connection.

Q: How can I avoid my email being marked as spam? A: To avoid your email being marked as spam, it is recommended to include a subject line in your email. This increases the chances of your email being delivered to the recipient's inbox.