"Access" can be either a transitive verb or a noun depending on context, and "to" can be either a preposition or a particle indicating an infinitive, and your friend is mixing up the uses.

"Access" as noun:

> I need access.
>
> I cannot get access.

"Access" as verb:

> I cannot access Gmail.


"To" as preposition:

> I need access to Gmail.
>
> I cannot get access to Gmail.

"To" indicating an infinitive:

> I need to access Gmail to send this report.
>
> I need Gmail access to send this report.
>
> I need to access Gmail for sending this report.