Here are the official Joomla! Docs for anyone else looking in the future:
https://docs.joomla.org/How_do_I_use_Gmail_as_my_mail_server%3F
How do I use Gmail as my mail server?
If you have a working Gmail account you can use Gmail as your mail
server by setting it in the global configuration.
On the server tab set the following:
Mailer: SMTP
SMTP Host: smtp.gmail.com
SMTP Port 465
SMTP Security: SSL/TLS
SMTP Authentication: Yes
Set the next two lines with your information. You need to use an app specific password (ASP), described below.
SMTP Username: your gmail username
SMTP Password: your gmail password
The following are also working combinations:
SMTP Port 587
SMTP Security: STARTTLS
SMTP Port 25
SMTP Security: STARTTLS
The SSL module does not need to be enabled in Apache.
The OpenSSL extension needs to be enabled in PHP. The details can be
found at http://www.php.net/manual/en/openssl.installation.php
If you are using WAMP on Windows, the openssl module is not enabled by
default and you need to enable it. To do this:
Open the php.ini file and uncomment the line extension=php_openssl.dll by removing the semicolon ; from the beginning of the line.
Save the php.ini file and restart the Apache service.
Note
Note that if you use 2-step verification in Gmail, you need to add a
new password in Settings - Accounts - Change accounts settings - Other
Google Account settings - Security - 2-step verification - Manage your
application specific passwords.
When the new Application Specific Password (ASP) is presented in
groups of four characters separated by spaces, make sure that you do
NOT enter the spaces into the SMTP password in the mail server
settings in Joomla.
You will need to make sure 2 Factor authentication is turned off:
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1070457
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1064203?hl=en&ref_topic=7189195
Instructions via computer
Open your Google Account.
In the "Security" section, select 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
Select Turn off.
A pop-up window will appear to confirm that you want to turn off 2-Step Verification. Select Turn off.
Destroy all the backup codes that you've saved for signing in to this
account. Revoking app passwords you no longer use
If you used app passwords to let apps access your Google Account, you
may see errors when you turn off 2-Step verification. If this happens,
re-enter your Google Account password.
We recommend you revoke your app passwords:
Sign in to your Google Account.
In the "Security" section, select Signing in to Google.
Choose App passwords. You might need to sign in.
Next to an application or device, select Remove Remove .
The next time you sign in to the app or device, you'll be asked to
enter your Google Account username and password. If an app doesn't ask
right away, it might take longer to recognize that its app password
has been revoked.
You will need to set up an App specific password (but can only do so if the 2FA is turned off)
Don't forget you have account level 2FA and email specific 2FA
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833
Sign in using App Passwords
An App Password is a 16-digit passcode that gives a non-Google app or
device permission to access your Google Account. App Passwords can
only be used with accounts that have 2-Step Verification turned on.
When to use App Passwords
To help keep your account secure, use "Sign in with Google" to connect
apps to your Google Account. If the app you’re using doesn’t offer
this option, you can either:
Use App Passwords to connect to your Google Account
Switch to a more secure app
Create & use App Passwords
Note: If you use 2-Step-Verification and are seeing a "password
incorrect" error when trying to access your Google Account, an App
Password may solve the problem.
Go to your Google Account.
On the left navigation panel, choose Security.
On the "Signing in to Google" panel, choose App Passwords. If you don’t see this option:
2-Step Verification is not set up for your account.
2-Step Verification is set up for security keys only.
Your account is through work, school, or other organization.
You’ve turned on Advanced Protection for your account.
At the bottom, choose Select app and choose the app you’re using.
Choose Select device and choose the device you’re using.
Choose Generate.
Follow the instructions to enter the App Password. The App Password is the 16-character code in the yellow bar on your device.
Choose Done.
Most of the time, you’ll only have to enter an App Password once per
app or device, so don’t worry about memorizing it.
And Finally
In my case my host had disabled SMTP email sending for security purposes I had to contact them and they enabled it for my account.
