Send emails with Gmail API

Gmail is one of the most popular email providers, and you will likely use it for your online or mobile app's mailbox. It is safe and reliable, which helps keep your emails out of the spam bin.

Why use the Gmail API?

The API gives access to Gmail features like:

• Email in HTML

• Send and receive files via email

• Messages, drafts, threads, and labels CRUD operations

• Takeover of your Gmail inbox

• Web UI search capabilities

• Query specifics, just to name a few

The Gmail API is popular among developers. You can also use this option for:

• Automatic emailing

• Backup email

• Alternative email migration services

Methods and resources

The Gmail API supports numerous resource types and manages them as follows:

• Creating a new draft

• Removing specified draft

• Obtaining specified draft

• Listing drafts in mailbox

• Sending the specified draft according to the To, Cc, and Bcc headers

• Change the draft's content | | MessageA non-modifiable resource |

• Removing messages by message ID

• Modifying labels on specified messages

• Removing specified message

• Obtaining specified message

• Equivalent to receiving via SMTP

• Inserting message into mailbox

• Listing messages in mailbox

• Modifying labels on specified message

• Sending specified message according to the To, Cc, and Bcc headers

• Transferring specified message to the trash

• Transferring specified message from the trash | | ThreadA sequence of messages inside a conversation |

• Removing specified thread

• Obtaining specified thread

• Listing threads in mailbox

• Modifying labels in thread

• Transferring specified thread to the trash

• Transferring specified thread from the trash | | LabelA tool to organize messages (e.g inbox, spam etc.) |

• Creating a new label

• Removing specified label

• Obtaining specified label

• Listing labels in mailbox

• Patching the provided label

• Updating specified label | | HistoryA set of mailbox alterations |

• Listing history of all changes to the mailbox | | SettingsHow to set up Gmail |

• Auto-forwarding setting

• Updating auto-forwarding setting

• IMAP settings

• Updating IMAP settings

• Language settings

• Updating language settings

• POP3 settings

• Updating POP3 settings

• Vacation responder settings

• Updating vacation responder settings |

How to use Gmail API in your app

Here is a 10-step guide to use:

Step 1: Create an API Console project

Step 2: Setup the Gmail API

Step 3: Get the OAuth 2.0 credentials

Step 4. Select a jumpstart guide

Step 5: Select a client API library provided by Google.

Step 6: Get Gmail Access

Step 7: Compose a message

Step 8: Email a message

• Step 8.1: Email an attachment

Step 9: Read an email from your inbox

Why Gmail API over SMTP?

E-mail protocol

SMTP is a set of rules for sending emails from one server to another. It uses POP3/IMAP4 to send and receive emails. The Gmail SMTP server is also free. API connects apps, platforms, and programs. These emails are transmitted via HTTP, a set of standards that control how messages are formatted and sent.

How are emails sent?

The app can use the API to send mails to another server. SMTP connects a client to a server over TCP to send email. IMAP4 or POP3 servers get it from the recipient's SMTP server. Client and server communicate via SMTP.

Authentication

It uses open authentication (Oauth2), so you can only request what you need. SMTP allows full account access via client login.

Quota

Daily Gmail API quota units Each approach requires a set number of Quot Drafts. Every day, the Gmail API imposes a cap. Gmail's maximum email size is 25MB.

SMPT or API?

Cons of each option SMTP is a popular and easy-to-use email solution. You don't even have to code. For safe email testing, use a phony SMTP server like Mailtrap. API also adds an extra layer of security when sending sensitive data via email.