In February 2016, Google introduced a tool to share the benefits of what it called "the best of Gmail" with non-Google email accounts. With Gmailify, you could access the brand's advanced features without changing your email address. Almost 10 years later, it's being closed down.
The upcoming change was first spotted by 9to5Google. Gmailify lets you use any existing email address—whether it's Hotmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider—while still accessing Gmail perks such as spam protection and inbox category tools, which organize messages into folders for Forums, Primary, Promotions, Social, and Updates. Google also claims to have offered “better email notifications on mobile devices,” and faster search features than its rivals.
Google hasn’t made it clear why it’s dropping Gmailify, but it may be a sign that demand wasn't high enough to keep the service running.
The shutdown begins this month, but Google has yet to announce an end date. It confirms that existing emails accessed through Gmailify will remain in its app, but it's unclear when it’ll stop porting over new messages.
Google says it will continue to support third-party accounts through other means, but you won't have access to all the features available to standard Gmail addresses. You can use automatic forwarding on the web, or, on mobile, you can connect your account to the Gmail app. That uses IMAP tech, and without advanced features, you may find it easier to use a different email app.
Google recently introduced a new tool that lets users change the address of their existing Gmail account if they're embarrassed by what they chose years ago. It's rolling out to all users now.