If you have created a professional email address with Hostinger, you may want to manage it through Gmail instead of opening Hostinger Webmail every time. For example, you might have an address such as [email protected] and want to read and send messages from your phone using the Gmail app.
The good news is that you can connect Hostinger Email to the Gmail mobile app using IMAP and SMTP settings. Once configured, you can access your business inbox alongside your regular Gmail account.
In this guide, you will learn how to add Hostinger Email to Gmail on Android and iPhone, configure the correct server settings, understand the difference between Gmail mobile and desktop access, and troubleshoot common connection problems.
Quick answer: To connect Hostinger Email to the Gmail mobile app, open Gmail, select Add another account, choose Other, enter your full Hostinger email address, select Personal (IMAP), and configure the incoming and outgoing servers.
1. What Does Connecting Hostinger Email to Gmail Mean?
Hostinger Email allows you to create professional email addresses using your own domain name. Gmail is an email application that can connect to supported third-party email services.
When you add your Hostinger mailbox to the Gmail mobile app, Gmail becomes the interface you use to read and send messages. Your mailbox itself remains hosted on Hostinger's email servers.
After connecting the second account, you can switch between your personal Gmail inbox and your Hostinger business inbox from the Gmail app.
Hostinger Email vs. Google Workspace
It is important to understand that connecting a Hostinger mailbox to Gmail is not the same as purchasing Google Workspace.
Feature
Hostinger Email in Gmail
Google Workspace
Email hosting
Hostinger
Google
Email address
Your custom domain
Your custom domain
Gmail mobile app
Yes, through IMAP
Yes, directly
Gmail web inbox
Not through external IMAP; legacy POP features are being discontinued
Yes
Mailbox provider
Hostinger
Google
Remember: Adding Hostinger Email to the Gmail app does not convert your Hostinger mailbox into a Google-hosted account. Your email storage and hosting remain with Hostinger.
2. Requirements Before Connecting Hostinger Email to Gmail
Before you start, make sure the following requirements are completed.
Keep the password for your Hostinger mailbox ready. This is the password you use to access Hostinger Webmail, not necessarily the password for your Hostinger account or personal Gmail account.
3. Correct domain DNS configuration
Your domain must be connected to the email service, and the required MX records must be configured correctly. If your domain uses external nameservers, check its DNS settings with the provider managing the active DNS zone.
4. Gmail mobile application
Install or update the Gmail application on your Android phone or iPhone. The instructions in this guide focus on the Gmail mobile app because it supports connecting third-party mailboxes through IMAP.
3. Hostinger IMAP and SMTP Settings for Gmail
When connecting an external mailbox to Gmail, you need the correct incoming and outgoing mail server details.
IMAP: Used to receive and synchronize incoming email messages.
SMTP: Used to send outgoing email messages.
Use the following standard Hostinger Email settings when manually configuring your mailbox.
Setting
Server Address
Port
Security
Incoming IMAP
imap.hostinger.com
993
SSL/TLS
Outgoing SMTP
smtp.hostinger.com
465
SSL/TLS
For outgoing SMTP, Hostinger also documents an alternative configuration using port 587 with TLS or STARTTLS.
Important: Use your complete Hostinger email address as the username whenever the setup screen asks for it. For example, enter [email protected], not just contact.
You can confirm your account-specific configuration details by logging in to Hostinger, opening Emails, selecting Manage next to your domain, and visiting Connect Apps & Devices.
4. How to Add Hostinger Email to Gmail on Android
Follow these steps to connect your Hostinger business email to Gmail on an Android smartphone.
1
Open the Gmail application
Unlock your Android phone and open the Gmail application. Make sure you are signed in to your existing Google account.
2
Open Gmail settings
Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner. You can also open the Gmail menu and select Settings, depending on your application version.
3
Select Add another account
Tap Add another account to begin connecting your Hostinger mailbox.
4
Choose Other
Gmail will display different account providers, such as Google, Outlook, Yahoo, and other services.
Select Other because your mailbox is hosted by Hostinger rather than Google.
5
Enter your Hostinger email address
Type your complete custom-domain email address into the field.
Gmail will ask you to choose the type of account you want to add.
Select Personal (IMAP). This allows Gmail to synchronize messages with your Hostinger mailbox.
7
Enter your mailbox password
Enter the password associated with your Hostinger email account.
Do not enter your personal Gmail password here. Tap Next after entering the correct mailbox password.
8
Configure the incoming server
Gmail will ask for the incoming mail server details. Enter the following information:
Server: imap.hostinger.com
Use port 993 with SSL/TLS security if the app asks for these settings.
Tap Next.
9
Configure the outgoing server
Now enter the outgoing SMTP server information:
Server: smtp.hostinger.com
Use port 465 with SSL/TLS security if requested. Enter your full email address and mailbox password if the app asks for authentication details.
Tap Next.
10
Choose account synchronization settings
Gmail may ask how often it should check for new messages and whether you want notifications for this account.
Choose your preferred settings and continue.
11
Complete the account setup
Enter the name you want recipients to see when you send emails, if prompted. Review the details and finish the setup.
Setup complete! Your Hostinger mailbox should now appear in the Gmail app. Tap your profile picture to switch between your Google account and your newly connected business email.
5. How to Add Hostinger Email to Gmail on iPhone
You can also connect your Hostinger email account to the Gmail app on an iPhone or iPad. The process is similar to Android.
1
Install and open Gmail
Download Gmail from the Apple App Store if it is not already installed. Open the application after installation.
2
Open the account menu
Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner of the Gmail application.
3
Add another email account
Select Add another account and choose Other from the list of available account providers.
4
Enter your Hostinger email address
Enter your complete business email address, such as [email protected], and continue.
5
Select the IMAP account type
Choose Personal (IMAP) when Gmail asks how you want to connect the mailbox.
6
Enter your password and server details
Use your Hostinger mailbox password and enter the incoming and outgoing server details:
IMAP: imap.hostinger.comSMTP: smtp.hostinger.com
Use IMAP port 993 and SMTP port 465 with SSL/TLS encryption when the application requests port and security information.
7
Finish the setup
Review the account details, choose your synchronization preferences, and complete the setup. Your Hostinger mailbox should now be available in Gmail.
Note: The exact wording and screen layout may differ between Gmail versions and iOS devices. If the application does not show the same options, look for the option to add an account using another email provider and choose IMAP.
6. How to Test Your Hostinger Email Connection in Gmail
After adding your account, test both incoming and outgoing messages to confirm that everything is working correctly.
Test incoming emails
Open your personal Gmail account or another email account.
Send a test message to your Hostinger business email address.
Open the Gmail app and switch to your Hostinger mailbox.
Wait for the message to synchronize.
Open the message and confirm that it has arrived.
Test outgoing emails
Open your Hostinger account inside the Gmail application.
Tap Compose to create a new email.
Enter another email address as the recipient.
Write a short test message.
Send the message and check whether it arrives in the recipient's inbox.
If both tests work, your Hostinger mailbox is successfully connected to Gmail.
7. Can You Use Hostinger Email on Gmail Desktop?
This is an important distinction because connecting a Hostinger mailbox to the Gmail mobile app is not the same as connecting it to Gmail in a desktop browser.
The Gmail mobile app supports third-party accounts through IMAP. However, Gmail's desktop interface has traditionally used POP to fetch messages from external mailboxes and Gmailify or SMTP-based sending options for certain third-party account workflows.
Google has announced changes to third-party email support. Its current transition timeline schedules the removal of Gmailify and POP-based external account features for January 2027. During the transition period, Google may restrict new configurations.
What this means:
You can continue adding Hostinger Email to the Gmail mobile app through IMAP.
Do not rely on Gmail's desktop POP feature as a long-term way to fetch Hostinger messages.
Gmail's desktop browser does not provide a general IMAP connection for external mailboxes.
Use Hostinger Webmail or a dedicated desktop email client if you need reliable desktop access.
Alternative 1: Use Hostinger Webmail
You can access your business mailbox directly through Hostinger Webmail. Sign in with your complete email address and mailbox password.
Alternative 2: Use a desktop email client
You can configure your Hostinger mailbox in a supported desktop application such as Outlook or Thunderbird using IMAP and SMTP settings.
Alternative 3: Use Google Workspace
If you specifically want your custom-domain email to be hosted and managed directly by Gmail on both desktop and mobile, consider Google Workspace. This is a separate email hosting service, not simply a connection to your Hostinger mailbox.
8. Important Limitations When Using Hostinger Email with Gmail
Although the Gmail mobile app makes it convenient to manage multiple accounts, there are a few things to understand.
Your mailbox remains hosted on Hostinger
Connecting your account to Gmail does not move your email hosting or storage to Google. Your Hostinger email subscription remains responsible for the mailbox.
Gmail features may differ for external accounts
Some Gmail-specific features are designed for Google accounts and may not work the same way with a third-party IMAP mailbox.
Synchronization depends on your connection
Gmail needs an internet connection to synchronize messages with the Hostinger server. New messages may not appear instantly in every situation.
Desktop and mobile support are different
The Gmail mobile application supports IMAP connections to external email accounts. Gmail's browser-based interface has different third-party account capabilities and is subject to Google's announced changes.
9. Common Problems When Connecting Hostinger Email to Gmail
If your mailbox does not connect successfully, use these troubleshooting steps to identify the problem.
1. Gmail says the username or password is incorrect
Possible reason: You may have entered the wrong mailbox password or used your Hostinger account password instead.
Solution: Enter your full Hostinger email address as the username and use the mailbox password. If necessary, reset the mailbox password through the Hostinger dashboard and try again.
2. Gmail cannot connect to the incoming server
Possible reason: The IMAP server address, port, or security type may be incorrect.
If you experience encryption problems, try port 587 with TLS or STARTTLS, as documented by Hostinger.
4. New emails are not appearing in Gmail
Possible reason: Synchronization may be delayed, or the domain's MX records may not be configured correctly.
Solution: Check your internet connection, Gmail synchronization settings, and the domain's active MX records. You can also sign in to Hostinger Webmail to check whether the messages are arriving on the server.
5. Emails are going to the spam folder
Possible reason: Email authentication records may be missing or incorrectly configured.
Solution: Check that the required SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are configured according to Hostinger's instructions. These records help receiving mail servers authenticate messages from your domain.
6. Gmail keeps asking you to sign in
Possible reason: The saved mailbox credentials may have changed or the application may be unable to authenticate.
Solution: Confirm that your Hostinger mailbox is active, update the saved password if needed, and check the server configuration. If the problem continues, remove the account from Gmail and add it again using the correct IMAP and SMTP details.
Still having trouble? Open Hostinger's email management page and visit Connect Apps & Devices to verify the latest configuration details for your mailbox.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use Hostinger Email with Gmail?
Yes. You can connect a Hostinger mailbox to the Gmail mobile application using IMAP for incoming messages and SMTP for outgoing messages. Your email account remains hosted on Hostinger.
2. Can I add Hostinger Email to Gmail on Android?
Yes. Open Gmail, select Add another account, choose Other, enter your Hostinger email address, and select Personal (IMAP). Then enter your mailbox password and Hostinger's incoming and outgoing server details.
3. Can I connect Hostinger Email to Gmail on iPhone?
Yes. The Gmail app for iPhone supports third-party email accounts. Select Other when adding an account and configure your Hostinger mailbox using IMAP and SMTP.
4. What is the IMAP server for Hostinger Email?
The standard incoming IMAP server is imap.hostinger.com. It uses port 993 with SSL/TLS encryption.
5. What is the SMTP server for Hostinger Email?
The standard outgoing SMTP server is smtp.hostinger.com. It uses port 465 with SSL/TLS encryption. Port 587 with TLS or STARTTLS is also documented as an alternative.
6. Can I access Hostinger Email through Gmail on my computer?
Gmail's browser interface does not support connecting an external mailbox through IMAP. Google has announced the removal of Gmailify and POP-based third-party account features for January 2027. For desktop access, use Hostinger Webmail or a dedicated email client such as Outlook or Thunderbird.
7. Will connecting Hostinger Email to Gmail move my emails to Google?
No. When you add a Hostinger mailbox through IMAP, the mailbox remains hosted on Hostinger. Gmail acts as an application for accessing and synchronizing your messages.
8. Do I need Google Workspace to use my Hostinger email in Gmail?
No. You do not need Google Workspace to connect an existing Hostinger mailbox to the Gmail mobile application. Google Workspace is a separate service for users who want Google to host their custom-domain email.
9. Can I add multiple Hostinger email accounts to Gmail?
You can add multiple supported email accounts to the Gmail app and switch between them using the account menu. Each mailbox needs its own correct login credentials and server configuration.
10. Is IMAP better than POP for Hostinger Email?
IMAP is generally more suitable when you access your mailbox from multiple devices because it synchronizes messages with the email server. POP downloads messages to an email client and may not provide the same synchronized experience.
Conclusion
Connecting Hostinger Email to Gmail is a convenient way to manage your business communication from your smartphone. By adding your mailbox through the Gmail app's IMAP setup and entering the correct Hostinger SMTP details, you can send and receive business emails without repeatedly opening Webmail.
Remember that your mailbox remains hosted on Hostinger, even when you access it through Gmail. Also, Gmail mobile and desktop support are different, so use the Gmail mobile app for IMAP access and choose Hostinger Webmail or a dedicated email client when you need reliable desktop access.
Set Up Your Hostinger Email Today
Already have a custom-domain mailbox? Follow the setup steps above and connect it to the Gmail mobile app to manage your business emails more conveniently.
Editorial note: Email application interfaces and account options can change. Hostinger server settings and Google's third-party email support policies should be checked against their latest official documentation before configuration.
