Due to problems with PHPList emails ending up in spam folders or limits on the amount of emails we can send per day from our servers, some folks prefer using Gmail’s SMTP connection to send out articles etc. to their list.
For those interested, this quick tutorial shows you how to configure PHPList version 2.10.12 to send emails using PHPMailer 5.1 and GMail’s SMTP.
To begin with, you’d need to download the new PHPMailer 5.1 and then extract the content to your desktop or anywhere on your computer.
Open the class.phpmailer.php file within that folder and configure it as shown below under Properties For SMTP.
Once you’re done editing the class.phpmailer.php file, save it.
Log into your server via FTP, backup the phpmailer folder of your PHPList installation then delete the contents.
You can find the phpmailer folder with the admin folder.
Copy the contents of the PHPMailer 5.1 you just extracted into the phpmailer folder on your server and you’d be done with that part 
.
These are the content of PHPMailer 5.1 that I’m talking about
Final step, go to the config folder of your PHPList installation and download config.php for editing and then proceed to edit as follows
UNDER SETTINGS FOR HANDLING BOUNCES
Scroll down to the Advanced Features, HTML editor, RSS, Attachments, Plugins. PDF creation section and edit the following parameters:
Once you’re through with that, save the file and reupload it to your server and you’d have successfully configured your installation of PHPList to send emails via GMail’s SMTP .
To be sure that it works, log into your PHPList admin area and send a test message to your self or subscribe to your list and see if you get an email.
Hope this helps a little.
If you’ve got comments or questions, do feel free to make use of the comment form below. Cheers .
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Hello, I have followed your steps as well as a hundred variety of options, but phplist did not send emails through gmail
@Peter: Sorry man, I stopped using Phplist for a long time now as I was having issues with gmail too
I am sending mail through phplist..but mail is not getting in gmail email ids. other email ids are getting mail..what should be the problem?
it didn’t work for me but it was a well written article. can you help me for a fee? please email me…
@Willyhoops: unfortunately I’m no longer making use of PHPList so I can’t be of help right now sir. Have you tried MailChimp’s services?
Thanks for that suggestion i might give them a go, they do look pretty good. Another alternative would be a c# or c++ windows application for sending emails that can process bounces and subscription requests and cancellations by scanning the mail box.
@WilyHoops:I’m yet to come across such an application sir
@Chukwudi
You can’t call someone with the name “willyhoops” sir! Anyway I spent a few hours reading about Windows Mail Programs and I downloaded quite a nice one called SendBlaster. It doesn’t support list-unsubscribe headers, but is does process bounces and mails with the subject line subscribe or unsubscribe. All in all it seems like a really nice program and it costs less than 100 euros. Thanks again for all your help my friend and good luck with your nice web site.
@WillyHoops LMAO. Ooops! I’m not familiar with the term willyhoops. Before I tried PHPList I did stumble on SendBlaster but since I was looking for a free alternative, I didn’t bother wasting my time with it. Hope SendBlaster works just fine for you. Thanks for the compliments and do have a really great week ahead ;)
Hi chuks, do you really have to edit the class.phpmailer.php – I don’t think that’s best practice.
Would it be better to open up PHPLIST’s very own class.phplistmailer.php
Why?
This way you won’t have to tinker with PHPMailer’s default configuration.
Just find the line that says:
if (defined(‘PHPMAILERHOST’) && PHPMAILERHOST != ”) {
Then…
$this->SMTPAuth = true;
$this->Helo = getConfig(“website”);
$this->Host = PHPMAILERHOST;
$this->Username = $GLOBALS[‘phpmailer_smtpuser’];
$this->Password = $GLOBALS[‘phpmailer_smtppassword’];
$this->Port = 465; $this->SMTPSecure = ‘ssl’; $this->Mailer = “smtp”;
What do you think?
That option didn’t work for me thus I had to download a new phpmailer
Hi Chuks, thanks for this tutorial. Some time ago I wanted to use PHPlist. I went online and after searching around I did something similar to what you have just laid out. But when I tried things it did not work. After many trials I gave and have been using plugins ever since. I think I’ll look into this again.
PHPList is the way to go for me abeg since I’m not good at using autoresponders and mailing my list every time. Why spend so much money on something I don’t intend using frequently.