Best Solutions to Migrate Gmail to IMAP – Quick Guide

Gmail is one of the most popular services offered by Google, with powerful features. Its auto-categorization, labels, spam filters, cloud storage, and advanced security features set it apart from the rest of the email clients. Moreover, Gmail works on both POP3 and IMAP protocols to better synchronize with external applications.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), on the other hand, is widely preferred by users to manage emails on the server online. It stores emails in the cloud, which is easily accessible from multiple devices, including smartphones, Android, iOS, iPhone, etc. Moreover, it helps you access data on other platforms such as Outlook, Yahoo, Exchange, ProtonMail, and others. Hence, users prefer to go with the Gmail to IMAP migration.

Why Migrate Gmail to IMAP?

With the distinction above, we can understand how the source and target destinations differ. Furthermore, some more significant reasons for migration are:

• Modern email ecosystems are not very stable, and switching to IMAP can provide greater stability.
• To align multiple businesses and email domains under a single server.
• Switch from personal Gmail accounts to managed and organized IMAP mailboxes.
• For more control over storage, archive, compliance, and email security.
• To retain cross-device email accessibility without lock-ins in real-time.
• IMAP keeps emails stored on the cloud, unlike POP, which downloads emails and removes them from the server.

How to Migrate Emails from Gmail to IMAP?

To get a unified structure for access, retention, and security with IMAP, you can transfer Gmail emails manually or with professional software. The former one gives full control, is free, but comes along with some limitations. The latter is best suited when handling large or multi-account migrations. Understand the step-by-step procedures for them in this section below.

Possible Free Methods to Migrate Gmail to IMAP

You can proceed with any of the given manual solutions that are deemed fit with the requirements and capabilities. These are:

Method 1: Migrate Using Desktop Email Clients

1. Initially, ensure your Gmail account has IMAP enabled.
2. Then, pick a desktop client (say Thunderbird) and open it.
3. Now, configure your Gmail account within Mozilla Thunderbird.
4. Use the following IMAP credentials to sync Gmail:
• Incoming Server: imap.gmail.com (Port 993 with SSL)
• Outgoing Server: smtp.gmail.com (Port 465/587 with SSL)
5. Once your Gmail account sync completes, the labels and folders may appear on the left.
6. Afterward, go back to the More menu in Thunderbird, choose Add Account.
7. Now, configure your target IMAP account in Thunderbird.
8. At last, drag and drop Gmail folders into the synced destination IMAP account.

Wait until the synchronization is done and the process to migrate Gmail to IMAP completes successfully.

Method 2: Move Gmail Emails to IMAP by Forwarding

1. Open your Gmail on the browser and sign in to your account.
2. Then, click on the Gear (Settings) icon and choose See All Settings.
3. Further, browse to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab and go to Forwarding.
4. Afterward, choose Add a Forwarding Address and in the open dialog, enter IMAP credentials.
5. Once you press Continue, a verification code will be sent to your IMAP account. Enter the code and verify the request.
6. Later, move back to Gmail and select the option to Forward a copy of incoming mails to IMAP.

Finally, all the new emails received in your Gmail account will be automatically forwarded to your IMAP account.

Best Expert Method to Migrate Gmail to IMAP

When you need to perform the email migration at scale with flexibility, reliability, speed, and data integrity, use SysInfo Gmail Backup Tool. This advanced software ensures no sync failures occur during the migration and keeps your folder structure and data preserved till the end. Additionally, it has support for large Gmail mailboxes (50-80 GB and so on) and works across all major OS versions with ease. Moreover, the tool offers various unique features, from duplicate removal to selective conversion, and makes sure you are completely satisfied.

05 Simple Steps to Transfer Gmail Emails to IMAP

1. Launch the Gmail Email Backup Tool and sign in to your account.
2. Wait until the emails load. Then, select mailbox folders and tap Next.
3. Further, pick the IMAP option from the list of target email client destinations.
4. After that, enter the credentials for your account and complete sign-in.
5. Finally, pick the relevant filters you want to apply and click Download.

All the emails are instantly migrated in a single go with full accuracy and precision.

Which Method Should You Choose to Migrate Gmail to IMAP?

If you are an individual user with a few files, then using the manual methods is suitable for you. However, they pose the following shortcomings:

• Time-intensive processes that cannot deal with bulk Gmail mailboxes.
• Auto-forwarding only moves the new incoming emails and not the existing ones.
• Forwarding emails manually one by one is not a reliable choice and needs too much effort.
• High chances of sync errors, manual issues, and missing emails in the process.

Elsewhere, if you are an individual, an IT admin, a professional, or someone from an enterprise, then the SysInfo Gmail Backup Software is an ideal choice. It is because:

• Multiple advanced features and a guarantee for data fidelity.
• Data is safe, no alterations are made, and the authentication is secure too.
• You get a Demo Version for free conversion of 50 emails per folder on both Mac and Windows.
• 24*7 technical support is also provided by the experts for your queries and concerns.

Conclusion

The process to migrate Gmail to IMAP is quite straightforward once you have the right method. Depending on your mailbox size, operational goals, and account volume, choose either the manual methods or the professional software. Know that the tool provides more transparency, efficiency, and greater reliability for large-scale migrations.

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About The Author:

Simran Bhatia

Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.