Gmail users, watch out! These 2 features are being killed next year

In January 2026, Google will discontinue two features in Gmail: the Gmailify extension and the retrieval of emails via the POP protocol. The Gmailify extension allowed users to upgrade external email accounts with certain Gmail extras, such as a reliable spam filter, automatic sorting of the inbox, and an extended search function. These benefits will no longer be available. Additionally, the option to "retrieve messages from other accounts" directly into Gmail will be discontinued. Instead, Google will refer users to the IMAP protocol, which is considered the modern standard and is already supported by most email providers. Existing emails that have already been synchronized in the Gmail account will remain the same. External accounts can still be used in the Gmail app, but only via IMAP. Google recommends that users with work or education accounts contact their administrators if a Google Workspace migration is needed. These changes will likely require Gmail users to adapt to the new system and switch to IMAP by January 2026, potentially losing some convenient functions like spam filters and automatic sorting.