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What exactly is changing in Gmail
Google is removing two features from Gmail: Gmailify and Checking mail from other accounts, which worked via POP3. Support for new users ends in Q1 2026, and for existing connections, the features will be disabled later in 2026. Messages already imported will remain in your inbox, but Gmail will no longer download new email from external servers via POP3 .
Why Google is disabling POP3
Google doesn’t provide a single, comprehensive explanation. Press releases and announcements suggest it’s about abandoning legacy solutions and simplifying the ecosystem.
What does this mean for your mybox boxes?
If you previously used Gmail’s option to download email from addresses on your domain to your host, new messages will no longer arrive in Gmail via POP3. To ensure business continuity, you have three scenarios:
- forwarding to Gmail on the mybox side,
- using the mobile Gmail app with an added IMAP account,
- one-time import of old messages and contacts.
The first scenario makes fresh emails actually appear in the @gmail.com mailbox, just like POP3 did before.
The easiest way: forwarding from mybox to Gmail
Forwarding to an additional recipient works on the mybox mail server. This means that every new message arriving at your domain inbox will be automatically delivered to the specified Gmail address. In the mybox panel, you can use the Alias or Additional Recipient option for a given inbox. If you still want to maintain your physical inbox and maintain order on the server, you can use a rule in the mail.mybox.com webmail instead of an alias, which forwards the message and then deletes it after forwarding to save space.
How to set it up in the mybox panel
- Log in to the mybox panel and go to Email. There, add an Alias or click on an existing mailbox to specify an additional recipient for the selected mailbox.
- Enter your @gmail.com address as the destination.
- If you want a copy to remain on the server, use an alias/forward without deleting. If you want to save space, use a rule in mail.mybox.com with forwarding and deleting .
Deliverability after forwarding – what to take care of in DNS
Forwarding can violate SPF because the message reroutes and arrives at Gmail from a different IP address than the original. This is normal. Therefore, three elements are important:
- SPF – the correct record for your domain.
- DKIM – Sign outgoing messages, as DKIM will usually survive the relay and allow Gmail to positively verify the sender.
- DMARC – publish policies and receive reports to see what is happening with your domain authorization.
Google explicitly recommends the SPF+DKIM package and points out that forwarding often breaks SPF, making DKIM and conscious DMARC management all the more important. You’ll find explanations of DMARC and sample entries in the mybox knowledge base.
What about Gmailify, import and IMAP
- Gmailify – will no longer be available. If you previously used it, the feature will be phased out in 2026.
- One-time import – You can still perform a one-time import of your email and contacts in Gmail on the web. This is not a continuous synchronization.
- Gmail app – on Android and iOS, you can add your mybox mailbox as IMAP and view it alongside your Gmail account in one app. This doesn’t move new emails to your @gmail.com mailbox, but it does provide convenient previews and notifications.
Common questions and answers
Will I lose my Gmail emails if I disable POP3?
No. Previously downloaded messages remain in your inbox. The only change is that Gmail will no longer download new emails from external servers via POP3. To ensure new emails continue to reach Gmail, enable forwarding on the mybox side.
Do I need to change MX for forwarding to work?
No, you set up forwarding within your existing mail service. MX changes are only necessary if you want to completely transfer your mail service to another provider. In a standard forward, you don’t modify the MX.
What if spam hits increase after forwarding?
First, check the Authentication-Results headers in Gmail for DKIM and SPF. If SPF isn’t passing, that’s normal for forwarding-it’s crucial that DKIM is correct and aligns with the domain in the From field. Enable DMARC reporting to monitor compliance.
Can I still use my mybox mailbox in the Gmail app?
Yes. Add it as an IMAP account in the Gmail app. This won’t move emails to your @gmail.com inbox, but it will allow you to work conveniently within one app. Keep in mind that messages from your mybox inbox won’t be saved in your Gmail inbox.
Quick Action Plan
1. Decide whether you want to see new emails in your @gmail.com inbox. If so, enable forwarding in the mybox panel for each inbox. If not, add your IMAP account to the Gmail app and work with it in the app.
2. Check SPF, enable DKIM, publish DMARC, and enable reports to monitor deliverability after forwarding.
3. Test – send test messages from popular domains and review the headers in Gmail. If you notice any problems, start by verifying your DKIM and DMARC policy.
4. If you need to migrate older email to Gmail, perform a one-time import in Gmail on the web. Remember, this is not a permanent synchronization.
This setup will allow you to smoothly switch off POP3 in Gmail and continue receiving new messages in your Gmail inbox – thanks to the forwarding set up on the mybox side – or comfortably work on an IMAP account in the Gmail application, if you prefer this model.