SMARTBOOTH / SMS4mail SMTP setup for email alerts

SMTP Setup for Email Alerts

This page explains how to configure an SMTP server for sending email alerts from SMARTBOOTH / SMS4mail tools. For the easiest personal setup, use Gmail SMTP with a Gmail App Password. For higher-volume or domain-based sending, you can also use SendGrid, ElasticEmail, Yahoo, or NetEase 163.com.

Quick recommendation

Use Gmail for fastest setup

For most users, Gmail is the easiest option to set up and test. Create a Gmail App Password, then use it as the SMTP password. This is simpler than creating and managing a separate SMTP relay account.

Easy to set up Good reliability Fast testing No normal password exposure
Use App Password, not Gmail password
Gmail SMTP for older apps and devices uses an App Password. Do not use your normal Gmail login password.
Important wording
For Gmail SMTP, what you need is usually called a Gmail App Password, not a Gmail API key.
Security note
App Passwords can be revoked at any time. If you change your Google password, old App Passwords are revoked and you must generate a new one.
Gmail SMTP recommended curl SMTP sample Windows CMD SendGrid SMTP relay service ElasticEmail alternative Yahoo (App Password) personal NetEase 163.com China

Gmail SMTP Setup (Recommended)

Gmail SMTP is a practical choice for personal alerts and quick deployment. Use your Gmail address as the SMTP username and a generated Gmail App Password as the SMTP password.

SMTP server
smtp.gmail.com
Port
465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS/STARTTLS)
Username / From
yourname@gmail.com
Password
Gmail App Password
Encryption
SSL or STARTTLS
SMTP server: smtp.gmail.com
PORT: 465
Username / Mail From: yourname@gmail.com
Password: <Gmail App Password>

How to get your Gmail App Password

1
Open your Google Account and go to Security. Turn on 2-Step Verification first. Gmail App Passwords only appear after 2-Step Verification is enabled.
2
After 2-Step Verification is enabled, open App passwords, choose Mail, choose a device or enter a custom device name like SMARTBOOTH SMTP, then click Generate.
3
Copy the generated 16-character password and paste it into your SMTP configuration as the password. Do not use your normal Gmail password.
Illustrated Gmail Security screen showing where to enable 2-Step Verification before App Passwords become available.
Illustrated screen guide: Google Account → Security → Turn on 2-Step Verification first.
Illustrated Gmail App passwords screen showing Mail, custom device name, and Generate button.
Illustrated screen guide: open App passwords, choose Mail, name the device, then generate the app password.
If you cannot see “App passwords”
Common reasons: 2-Step Verification is not turned on yet, the account is managed by work/school admin, or the account has extra protection policies enabled.

curl SMTP Sample for Gmail

You can use curl to test Gmail SMTP directly from Windows Command Prompt. In Windows CMD, the ^ continuation character must be the last character on the line. 

curl --url "smtp://smtp.gmail.com:587" ^
--ssl-reqd ^
--mail-from "your@gmail.com" ^
--mail-rcpt "receiver@email.com" ^
--user "your@gmail.com:your_app_password" ^
--upload-file email.txt

One-line version

curl --url "smtp://smtp.gmail.com:587" --ssl-reqd --mail-from "your@gmail.com" --mail-rcpt "receiver@email.com" --user "your@gmail.com:your_app_password" --upload-file email.txt

email.txt sample

From: your@gmail.com
To: receiver@email.com
Subject: Test email

Hello from curl SMTP!

Keep one blank line between the Subject line and the email body. Replace your_app_password with the Gmail App Password generated above.

SendGrid SMTP

SendGrid is still a solid option when you want a dedicated SMTP relay service, domain-based sending, or larger-scale delivery. It uses an API key as the SMTP password.

SMTP server
smtp.sendgrid.net
Port
25 / 465 / 587
Username
apikey
Password
SendGrid API key
SMTP server: smtp.sendgrid.net
PORT: 25 / 465 / 587
Username: apikey
Password: <your SendGrid API key>
When to choose SendGrid
Choose SendGrid when you need a separate service account, domain authentication, or higher-volume sending beyond a simple Gmail setup.

ElasticEmail (Alternative)

ElasticEmail is simple to set up and can work well as an SMTP provider. If you see delivery issues with some mailbox providers, try Gmail or SendGrid instead.

Yahoo Setup (Use App Password)

Yahoo also requires an App Password instead of your normal Yahoo password.

SMTP server
smtp.mail.yahoo.com
Port
465
Username / From
yourname@yahoo.com
Password
Yahoo App Password
SMTP server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
PORT: 465
Username / Mail From: yourname@yahoo.com
Password: <Yahoo App Password>

NetEase 163.com (China)

For NetEase / 163.com, follow your provider-specific SMTP authorization steps in your China SMTP guide. This usually uses an authorization code rather than your mailbox login password.

Region note
If you are sending from China-based mailbox services, always follow that provider’s own SMTP authorization instructions.

Other SMTP server options

You can also use other SMTP providers if you already have one. As a quick-start path, Gmail is usually the easiest for personal email alert testing.