How to Send Mail from Localhost XAMPP using sendmail and Gmail SMTP
Advertisement
Google AdSense In-Article Display Placement
Publisher ID: ca-pub-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (Configured in config.php)By default, PHP mail() does not work on localhost because Windows lacks a native sendmail daemon. XAMPP includes a sendmail utility that connects to SMTP.
✔ Rapid Direct Solution
Edit "C:\xampp\sendmail\sendmail.ini", set smtp_server=smtp.gmail.com, smtp_port=587, and provide your email and Google App Password (not your main password). Next, edit "C:\xampp\php\php.ini" and set sendmail_path = "\"C:\xampp\sendmail\sendmail.exe\" -t". Restart Apache.
📋 Guide Table of Contents
1. Problem Diagnosis & Symptoms
Local contact forms and password reset emails fail silently without an SMTP relay.
2. Primary Root Causes
- Cause: Missing SMTP credentials in sendmail.ini.
3. Step-by-Step Diagnostic Fixes
1
Configure sendmail.ini
Edit C:\xampp\sendmail\sendmail.ini:
INI
smtp_server=smtp.gmail.com
smtp_port=587
smtp_ssl=tls
auth_username=youremail@gmail.com
auth_password=your_16_char_app_password4. How to Verify the Resolution
- Create test_mail.php: mail("target@example.com", "Test", "Body"); and verify delivery.
5. Diagnostic Troubleshooting Matrix
| Symptom Observed | Root Cause | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| sendmail error: 535-5.7.8 Username and Password not accepted | Using standard Gmail password instead of App Password | Generate a dedicated 16-character App Password in Google Account Security |
6. Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Never share your app password in public Git commits.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is it better to use PHPMailer instead of PHP mail()?
Yes! PHPMailer or Symfony Mailer provides direct SMTP connection without needing sendmail.ini.
Official Technical References
Advertisement
Google AdSense In-Article Matched Content Unit