Google’s
email program, Gmail, is popular because it can be easily and safely accessed
through an Internet browser, desktop client and smart phone. Use these methods
to access Gmail.
Method 3 of 5: Accessing Gmail Offline
1.
Go to the
Chrome web store at Chrome.google.com.
2.
Search for
“Gmail Offline” in the search bar.
3.
Click on
the Gmail Offline app.
Click on the title to read more about it, or you can click
the “Free” add button.
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Gmail Offline stores up to 7 days of
emails offline. This means if your Internet access goes out or Google goes
offline, you will be able to see recent emails. If you use Gmail for work, it
is a good extra backup option.
4.
Download
the Gmail Offline app to your personal computer.
It will say “Checking…” and ask if you want to add it. Click
“Add” and “Install.”
5.
Open a new
Google Chrome browser tab.
A new pane with Offline Gmail should be added. Click on it
to access the Gmail Offline app.
6.
Look for a
pop up that asks you if you want to allow offline storage.
Click this only if you are on your personal computer. The
app will start backing up emails on your computer.
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Never click this option while you
are on a public computer.
7.
Click on
Gmail Offline to access your Gmail, even if you do not have an Internet
connection.
You can even write emails, which will send once you connect
to the Internet.
8.
Star any
messages you want to be sure to have access to.
Gmail Offline will keep them as a priority.
1.
Choose
your email client.
The following are 4 popular desktop clients that can run a
POP link to your Gmail account:
o
Microsoft Outlook is often used for
company email, but it can also be linked to multiple personal or business
accounts. You must have access to a paid version of Microsoft Outlook to reap
the benefits of this desktop client.
o
Thunderbird is Mozilla’s desktop
client. It is open-source and has email, news and chat functions. If you use
Mozilla Firefox, you may want to download this free program.
o
GMDesk is Adobe’s Gmail client. It
is available for free through Google. Go to
code.google.com/p/gmdesk/downloads/list. It allows you to run Gmail, Calendar,
Docs, Maps and Picasa through a desktop client. If you use a lot of Google
products, this may be the best choice for you.
o
Apple’s Mail application comes
standard with Mac computers. Open the application, enter your email and
password and add the Gmail account. Try this before downloading third party
apps, if you own a Mac.
2.
Download
the desktop client.
Run it from the Downloads folder to install it.
3.
Go to the
section to setup or add new accounts.
It should tell you whether it uses Post Office Protocol
(POP) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) for its connection.
4.
Sign into
Gmail from a personal computer.
Click on the Settings icon.
5.
Select the
“Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab.
Look for either POP or IMAP on the page. Make sure it is
enabled and save your settings.
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Unlike some email programs, Gmail
works with both POP3 and IMAP. If you have a choice, choose IMAP. Access
depends upon your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
6.
Click on
the POP or IMAP section that says “Configure our email client.
” This support page will tell you how to configure the
client.
7.
Return to
your desktop client.
Add a new Gmail account, using your address and password to
sign in.
o
Return to the troubleshooting page
at https://support.google.com/mail/troubleshooter/1668960?rd=1
if you have problems with configuration.
8.
Confirm
that you want the desktop client to access your Gmail. Open the program and click on your Gmail account to access
your mail, write emails and read files.
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Look for an option to archive or
backup your emails through the desktop client. This will allow you to read past
emails.
1.
Make sure
you have a Gmail account and a smart phone with a Gmail app.
2.
Go to
Google Sesame at https://accounts.google.com/sesame from the public computer on
which you would like to access Gmail. It should load a QR code that is specific
to your account.
o
Logging into an email program from a
public computer comes with security risks, because you must type in a username
and password, which can be hacked. Hackers use keylogging software, programs
and saved data to access personal email accounts.
3.
Download
the Google Sesame app to your iPhone from the app store or Google Play.
4.
Install
and run the app on your iPhone.
Confirm that you want to “start with Gmail.”
5.
Take a
photo of the QR code using the camera and Google Sesame app.
6.
Wait for
it to process the QR code, and then it should automatically sign you into Gmail
without needing to enter your username or password.
Tips
- If Google’s website is down or you are blocked at work, you can try some alternative websites to access Gmail. Try m.gmail.com to access the mobile site. Try http://www.google.com/ig to access the iGoogle site. These sites have limited functionality, but you should be able to read new emails.
- You can also install Google Talk and Gmail Lite ahead of time to have another access point.
