I fetch my mail with fetchmail, read it with s-mailx. I got an app password from Google, which required verification by use of a phone number to which it sent a text. I use fetchmail with the new password the same as I did before. I have a 'hotspot' modem that has a phone number because it has to, but no phone service. That served the purpose. When I log in from an apparently-different IP Google requires the second step of verification, but gives me the choice of that number or an e-mail sent to my gmail account. This never happens when I just pick up mail with fetchmail. I log in about once/month.
'less secure apps' stopped being a choice for me. russell bell