If you use Gmail to check your old Yahoo, Hotmail, or AOL accounts, your digital life is about to get messy. Google has announced that starting January 2026, it is killing off "Gmailify" and POP3 support, two features that millions rely on to sync their inboxes.

For a decade, these tools have allowed users to manage multiple accounts under the Gmail umbrella, benefiting from Google’s superior spam filters and organization. But in a push for "modern security," Google is pulling the plug, leaving legacy accounts exposed.

The Risk Factor

Tech security experts warn that this is not just an inconvenience; it is a security risk.

• Spam Floodgates: Without Gmail’s AI-driven filters (like the new RETVec system), your old accounts will likely be inundated with spam and phishing attempts that Google used to block silently.
• The Hacker's Opportunity: Attackers know that these legacy accounts are now "unfiltered" and may ramp up attacks on Hotmail and Yahoo addresses, hoping to catch users off guard.
• What You Must Do: Users are advised to manually set up email forwarding from their old providers to Gmail, though this won't offer the same level of seamless integration or spam protection.

Google argues that POP3 is outdated and insecure, but for the millions of users who wake up to broken inboxes this week, the "upgrade" will feel a lot like a downgrade.