How to send an email via Gmail SMTP Server in Laravel

In order to send an email via Gmail SMTP Server in Laravel, you may follow the following directions.

1. Gmail account setup

• Login to your gmail account;
• 
• Select Google account > Sign In & Security > Sign in to google:
  enable two step verification [Enter your password again and a unique verification code that's sent to your phone], then generate app password, and you can use that app password in .env file.
  
• Select Google account > Sign In & Security > Apps with account access (if necessary):
  enable "Allow less secure apps".
  
• 2. Laravel configuration setup
  .env file will look like this:

  MAIL_DRIVER=smtp
  MAIL_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
  MAIL_PORT=587
  MAIL_USERNAME=<your_email_address>
  MAIL_PASSWORD=<your_gmail_app_password_>
  MAIL_ENCRYPTION=tls

  or like this:

  MAIL_DRIVER=smtp
  MAIL_HOST=smtp.gmail.com
  MAIL_PORT=465
  MAIL_USERNAME=<your_email_address>
  MAIL_PASSWORD=<your_gmail_app_password_>
  MAIL_ENCRYPTION=ssl
  
  
  

• Note: Don't forget to run "php artisan config:cache" after you make changes in your .env file.
  3. Laravel controller file:

  $data = array('name'=>"Joshua", "body" => "This is my first Online Email.");
  Mail::send('emails.mail', $data, function($message) {
    $message->to('TO_EMAIL_ADDRESS', 'To Website')
            ->subject('Online Email Test');
    $message->from('FROM_EMAIL_ADDRESS','From Visitor');
  });

  4. Laravel View file:
  resources->views->emails->mail.blade.php
  

  Hi <strong>{{ $name }}</strong>,
  
  <p>{{ $body }}</p>