How to Configure Pidgin in Gmail

Pidgin is a versatile cross-platform, multiprotocol, instant messaging client. Often, because of the use of a single protocol by many services, the Pidgin developers will choose to lump multiple services into one protocol listing instead of having them appear separately. With Google Talk or Gchat and Facebook Chat, this is the case. Since both services use the open source XMPP protocol, Pidgin has looped both into a single category and relies upon the user to add the proper server and authentication information.

Instructions

1. Open your Pidgin client and click the "Accounts" menu at the top of your Buddy List. Click "Manage Accounts" and then click the "Add" button.

2. Choose "XMPP" from the Protocol drop-down box.

3. Type in your Username, without the "@gmail.com" portion. Type "gmail.com" in the Domain text entry box. Leave the Resource section blank and then type in your Password.

4. Click the "Advanced" tab and confirm that the "Require SSL/TLS" option is checked and that the Connect port box reads 5222.

5. Click "Save" and the account should automatically connect. If it does not, enable it from the Manage Accounts dialog.

References

• Google: Configuring Pidgin for Google Talk
• Google: How do I configure Pidgin to connect to Google Talk for my domain?