Remote server Gmail integration fails due to authentication issues. Revised sample implementation:
function processEmail(req, res) {
const { userName, userEmail, messageBody } = req.body;
const target = "[email protected]";
const transporter = nodemailer.createTransport({
service: "Gmail",
auth: { user: "[email protected]", pass: "secret123" }
});
const emailData = {
from: userEmail,
to: target,
subject: userName + " sent a message",
text: messageBody
};
transporter.sendMail(emailData, (error, info) => {
if (error) {
console.error(error);
res.send("Email failed");
return;
}
res.send("Email sent successfully");
});
}
The authentication issues with Gmail can be tricky, especially considering the recent changes in Gmail’s security policies. In my experience, confirming that the account has the necessary permissions to allow access from third-party applications is crucial. Experimenting with settings such as enabling access for less secure apps or generating an app-specific password when two-factor authentication is in place has resolved similar issues for me. Also, explicitly setting secure properties and carefully selecting the correct port sometimes makes a significant difference. It is always beneficial to check the debug logs for clearer information on what might be failing.
The solution that worked for me involved switching from basic authentication to OAuth2. While it initially seemed more complex, setting up OAuth2 ensured that the app adhered to Google’s security guidelines. I encountered similar issues where enabling access for less secure apps wasn’t a sustainable solution, particularly on production servers. Using OAuth2 not only improved the reliability of email delivery but also significantly reduced authentication errors over time. It might take additional time to configure, but transitioning to a token-based approach ultimately provides better security and stability for your application.