You're not using the official Gmail app
 

Got this e-mail today from Google:

Thoughts, anyone?

Personally, I like the Gmail app. Lightweight, simple, fast, and reliable.

So which app are you using?. The Gmail app is just like any other mail app. You can disable a lot of the "features" if you want. It's not as light as K-9 mail app on my (old) tablet, it takes much longer to load. In my opinion Google should be stopped from referring to all of its products as an "upgrade". This is blatant false advertising.

Perhaps I need to expand on the reason for the post.

My reason for posting is nothing to do with their app, it's with the fact that Google know that I'm not using their app.

As regards my app of choice, it's AquaMail Pro - it just fits for what I want.

Ha! They probably know what you had for breakfast.

I am a creature of habit, so you're probably right! ;)

My ISP email used Gmail as a provider a while back. I used to use Thunderbird (an insecure app according to Google) on a netbook when I travelled. Every time I tried to send an email when I was abroad I got an email from Google telling me that I was emailing from an unusual location and that I had to log in via their web page to verify my identity. This made the whole thing impractical. My ISP have their own system now which works much better. However I wonder if you would have the same problem using AquaMail or possibly they will be a bit more lenient with mobile apps?

I have not traveled abroad in some time, but the last time I did I had the same problems with Gmail. I also recently moved and changed my phone number, and I am still in the process of discovering the many, many sites and apps where my old phone number and address still reside. Having anything out of date on your Google contact information could prove fatal if you are trying to retrieve access to an account and you realize that they are trying to send access codes to an old phone number or email address. Not sure of the answer to this problem, other than to consider having a backup email service that can be switched to if you lose access to your main Gmail account. In my case, I back it up to another Gmail account, which might not be ideal. This is an obvious huge disadvantage to those of us who regularly use free email with limited or no access to real customer service via human beings. I have had to work with G Suite CS and you can reach a real human there, so that might be an option if you are a frequent traveler.

I've had this happen to me, but I was prepared for it, so it wasn't really a problem.

The use of an authenticator app would be my primary way to ensure access to my Gmail/Google Apps accounts.

As a way of a back-up, in the event my 'phone should fail etc, I have also taken screenshots of the QR codes for my accounts, and they are saved on various devices I would always have to hand - so a re-scan of the QR code to an authenticator app, and I'm (fingers crossed!) back in business.

And, yes, I have tested the saved QR codes, and they do work.

Google can be tricky about this stuff. This thread reminded me of a Gmail account I hadn't checked in awhile and when I went to log in it failed even though I had the correct username, password, and even 2FA set up. For some reason Google detected unusual activity and prevented me from logging in unless I could enter a code sent to my recovery phone number, which unfortunately is no longer correct. I couldn't select any other option even though on my account I have set up alternate email addresses and one-time backup codes! Google wouldn't give me those options. I finally was able to log in successfully using my phone, which apparently Google recognized. I could then reset my phone number to the correct one. I was once locked out when abroad even though I had the correct username and password, but in order to set up my phone service I needed to access a message sent to my email. This effectively blocked me from getting 2FA codes via the app or SMS, and I had no wifi. In any case, the moral of the story is to think ahead, have backup email setups, and have patience!

Just ignore it bud,stay with what you like :)

If it is like other advertising on the Internet you will get that prompt for weeks and months. That is one of banes of being tracked for advertising purposes--the algorithms just won't give up. I recently searched for and purchased a small backpack, and weeks later my online activity is full of ads for backpacks and even the very one I have already purchased. You would think this is wasted ad dollars, but apparently not according to the algorithms.

Same type of problem with Gmail if you use a VPN (at home) with any email client.

I had this problem while trying to login to a second Gmail account from home using a laptop that was already logged into one of my Gmail accounts. No VPN but I was tethered to my cell phone, which was also logged into Gmail. I wonder what is considered "suspicious activity" about that?

My thoughts? Well your accessing Gmail via another email App. Seems reasonable they would know your not using the Gmail App.

I use the Gmail App on my phone and Claws Mail on my computer.

Back in 2013 I traveled to the US for a couple of months. I checked my mail almost daily from my laptop while there, it took three weeks for Google to notice unusual activity.