Connect an AI agent to Gmail or Outlook: the complete tutorial

When an AI agent sends an email on your behalf, the question quickly arises: from which address? If the message comes from an unknown address, your recipient risks classifying it as spam or ignoring it. The solution is simple: allow the agent to use your own email, Gmail or Outlook, the one your clients already know.

IWhy connect your email rather than a generic address

An email sent from contact@abys.ai does not have the same strength as a message coming from your usual address. Your clients recognize your name, your signature, your domain. Anti-spam filters trust an address that has a history more. And if someone replies, the reply arrives in your inbox, not elsewhere. A plumber who follows up on quotes by agent wants the client to see "dupont.plumbing@gmail.com", not an anonymous address.

IIHow OAuth works in two sentences

In practice, you never type your password into ABYS. You type it on the official Google or Microsoft page, which you recognize by its address (accounts.google.com or login.microsoftonline.com). It is the same mechanism as when you log into a site with "Sign in with Google".

IIIConnect Gmail to your AI agent: the steps

1. 1
   Open your agent's settings

   In your ABYS workspace, go to the agent's file. Click on "Messaging" in the side menu. You see a "Connect Gmail" button.

2. 2
   Sign in to Google

   A Google window opens. Choose the Gmail account the agent will use. If you have multiple accounts, make sure to verify which one is selected at the top of the page.

3. 3
   Accept permissions

   Google shows you what ABYS can do: send emails on your behalf, read replies. Click "Authorize". You can withdraw this authorization later in your Google account settings.

4. 4
   Verify the connection

   Back in ABYS, the Gmail address appears with a green checkmark. Send yourself a test email to confirm that everything works. Look at the sender: it is indeed your name and your address.

IVConnect Outlook to your AI agent: the steps

The procedure for Outlook (whether it is a personal outlook.com account or a professional Microsoft 365 account) follows the same principle. The difference lies in Microsoft's interface, which is a bit more verbose.

1. 1
   Start the connection

   In your agent's settings, click on "Connect Outlook". A Microsoft window opens.

2. 2
   Enter your Microsoft address

   Enter your Outlook or Microsoft 365 address. If you are already logged into a Microsoft account in your browser, it may be pre-selected. Verify that it is the correct one.

3. 3
   Accept permissions

   Microsoft lists the requested rights. Click on "Accept". For a Microsoft 365 business account, your administrator may have configured additional validation.

4. 4
   Confirm in ABYS

   The Outlook address appears in the agent's settings. Send a test email. Check that the email arrives correctly and that the sender is correct.

VVerify that emails are sent from your name

After connecting, send a test email to an address you control, for example your personal address. Open this message and check three things: the sender displayed (your name and your address), the reply address (must be yours), and the technical headers if you know how to read them. On Gmail, click on the three dots then "Show original". You will see a "From" line with your address.

VIHow replies are handled

When someone replies to an email sent by the agent, the reply arrives in your Gmail or Outlook inbox, like any other message. The agent can be configured to read these responses and act accordingly: for example, stop follow-ups if the client has confirmed sending a document, or alert you that a reply requires your intervention.

When an email is received by the agent, it processes it without waiting for its next work cycle. If you chose the "Once a week" plan, the agent will still handle a reply as soon as it arrives. This is useful to not leave a customer without a response for several days.

VIIWhat to do if the connection fails

• You did click on "Authorize" or "Accept" in the Google or Microsoft window
• Your pop-up blocker did not prevent the authorization window from opening
• You do not have multiple Google or Microsoft accounts connected at the same time in your browser
• Your Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace administrator authorizes third-party applications
• Your internet connection was not interrupted during the procedure

Check what applies to you: the list remembers your answers on this device.

If everything seems correct but the connection is not working, try in a private browsing window, with only one account connected. This eliminates conflicts between multiple sessions.

VIIIRevoke authorization at any time

You remain in control. For Gmail, go to your Google account settings, "Security" section, then "Third-party apps with account access". You will find ABYS there and can withdraw access with one click. For Outlook, go to account.microsoft.com, "Privacy" section then "Apps and services". The agent will no longer be able to send emails until you reconnect the account.

Without connectionWith OAuth connection

Emails sent from a generic address

Emails sent from your professional address

Increased risk of spam classification

Better deliverability thanks to your history

Responses lost or to be forwarded manually

Replies directly in your inbox

Your clients do not recognize the sender

Your clients see your name and your signature

IXDo you need to connect multiple addresses

If you have multiple agents, each can be connected to a different address. An agent for following up on unpaid invoices can send from the accounting department's address, while a prospecting agent sends from the business address. Each connection is independent. You can also connect multiple agents at the same address if this matches your organization.

?Questions we're asked

Is my password stored by ABYS?

No. ABYS never sees your password. You identify yourself directly on Google's or Microsoft's page, which delivers a temporary access token. This token allows sending emails but not modifying your account.

Can I use an address with my own domain name?

Yes, if this address is hosted on Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. The procedure is the same. Your administrator simply needs to authorize third-party applications if not already done.

What happens if I change my Gmail or Outlook password?

OAuth connection generally remains active after a password change. If Google or Microsoft revokes the token for security reasons, you will simply need to reconnect in ABYS.

Can the agent read all my emails?

The agent only reads replies to emails it has sent, not your entire inbox. The permissions requested are limited to sending and reading conversations initiated by the agent.