From the Email Users page, click "Add Email User" and pick "External" as the type. Enter the mailbox's SMTP and IMAP credentials (host, port, username, password / app password). Winnr adds it as an external mailbox that's warming-only — no domain-level DNS management, but full warming access at $0.60/mailbox/month. Common use case — warming a Google Workspace inbox that's been getting throttled.
When external warming makes sense
- Rescuing a throttled Google Workspace inbox. If Gmail has been rate-limiting your outbound and warming would help, adding it to Winnr for 2-3 weeks of warming can restore capacity.
- Warming an inbox you want to use for high-touch cold outreach. Some AEs prefer Google Workspace inboxes for personal outreach because they look more legitimate. Warming through Winnr gets them ready to send.
- Testing warming without committing to Winnr-native mailboxes. External mailboxes let you evaluate warming on infrastructure you already have.
When it doesn't make sense
- Bulk cold campaigns. Google Workspace and Outlook throttle outbound heavily. For high-volume cold email, Winnr-native mailboxes are cheaper and don't hit the same rate limits.
- Cost comparison. Google Workspace at $6-$18/user/month plus Winnr warming at $0.60/month is more expensive per mailbox than Winnr-native at ~$1.30/mailbox/month (Startup plan + warming).
What's next
Step-by-step
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1. Get SMTP/IMAP credentials for the external mailbox
For Gmail — enable 2FA on the Google account, then create an App Password. Use it as the SMTP/IMAP password. For Outlook — enable App Passwords in Microsoft account security, generate one. For Google Workspace — same as Gmail (App Password). Standard IMAP/SMTP details apply.
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2. Add the mailbox as External
Email Users page → Add Email User → Type = External. Enter the full email address, SMTP host + port, IMAP host + port, and the app password.
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3. Confirm connection
Winnr tries to authenticate with the credentials. If it fails, you'll see a specific error (auth failed, host unreachable, port blocked). Fix and retry.
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4. Enable warming
Once the mailbox is added, go to the Warming page and enable it — same flow as any Winnr-native mailbox. Same $0.60/mailbox/month billing.
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5. Watch the metrics
External mailboxes work identically once warming is on. Health score, inbox rate, spam rate all show on the Warming page.
Frequently asked questions
Why not just use Winnr-native mailboxes?
Some customers have existing Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 accounts they want to keep for high-touch outreach — the deliverability of Workspace/365 is excellent when warmed. Others want to rescue an underperforming inbox by rebuilding its reputation with Winnr warming.
Does Winnr send from my external mailbox?
Yes — warming emails send via SMTP using the credentials you provide. That's how the external mailbox builds reputation. Real cold campaigns you run through your sending tool are separate.
Is it safe to give Winnr my Gmail password?
Never use your Gmail account password. Always create an App Password (Google Account → Security → App Passwords) and use that. App Passwords are single-purpose and can be revoked without affecting your main login. Same principle for Outlook and other providers.
What SMTP/IMAP settings for Gmail?
SMTP host smtp.gmail.com, port 465 (SSL) or 587 (TLS). IMAP host imap.gmail.com, port 993 (SSL). Username = full email address. Password = App Password.
What SMTP/IMAP settings for Outlook.com / Office 365?
SMTP host smtp.office365.com, port 587 (TLS). IMAP host outlook.office365.com, port 993 (SSL). Username = full email address. Password = App Password.
Can I remove an external mailbox later?
Yes — Delete removes it from Winnr and stops warming. Your original mailbox at Gmail/Outlook is untouched; only the Winnr warming connection is removed.
Which external providers are supported, and how many at once?
Google, Microsoft, and custom SMTP (any provider where you can supply SMTP/IMAP host, port, and credentials). You can bring in up to 200 mailboxes in a single import. Once added, each imported mailbox warms at $0.60/mailbox/month — the same rate as a native Winnr mailbox.