How to Migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail? Easy Solutions

Summary: AWS WorkMail is a secure, managed email and calendar service by Amazon Web Services (AWS). While it has the features found in other enterprise solutions, many companies ultimately move to Gmail. It is because of their wider collaboration ecosystem, real-time integrations, and the ease with which many people use Google’s products. If your organization has proposed to migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail, find a free way and the Amazon WorkMail Backup Tool that is secure and does not disrupt your users.

AWS WorkMail to Gmail Migration User Scenario

“Think about a SaaS startup with a 50+ person distributed team using AWS WorkMail for email communications. Over time, the project managers reported concerns about document sharing in real time, integrated chat, and meeting collaboratively. They spent more time in Google Docs and Google Meet, but all of their emails still lived in WorkMail.”


It was a lot of switching between platforms, which slowed down decision-making and increased IT overhead. To the project managers’ delight, the CTO approved a migration from AWS WorkMail to Gmail, which allows all communications, file sharing, and collaboration to take place in one ecosystem.

This sounds quite common, and this is how businesses are migrating from AWS WorkMail to Gmail or Google Workspace. If you are also migrating to Microsoft 365, read this: Migrate Amazon Workmail Emails to Office 365.

Furthermore, it is not because AWS is not secure, but because the Gmail ecosystem is much deeper in productivity.

Proceeding on, see the various solutions available to help the SaaS startup above, and you too, to perform the migration.

Migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail Cost-Free

There are two manual methods discussed below, which are feasible for the migration here. But to perform these methods, you must have admin credentials, app passwords (if 2FA is enabled), and so on. Also, there are some challenges you may have to face with these methods.

Method 1: IMAP Migration Method to Move from AWS to Gmail

How to enable IMAP in AWS WorkMail?

  • Foremost, access your AWS WorkMail Console, then log in.
  • Choose your organization and make sure IMAP access is enabled for the mailbox.

How to collect AWS WorkMail Account Info?

  • For that, you need to use the following credentials:
    • IMAP Server: imap.mail.location.awsapps.com (Region will differ)
    • Port: 993
    • Encryption: SSL/TLS

How to enable IMAP in Gmail?

  • Afterward, in Gmail, go to SettingsSee all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
  • Further, enable IMAP and click Save Changes.

How to Migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail?

  • In Gmail, go to See All Settings → Accounts and Import.
  • Afterward, click on Add a mail account in it.
  • Type in your AWS WorkMail email address, then select Import emails from my other account (POP3). Click Next.
  • Or check mail from other accounts using IMAP, depending on what you want to do.
  • Furthermore, enter your AWS WorkMail account information and server information.
  • Finally, import emails into your Gmail inbox with Start Import.

Drawback: This is a good way to transfer mailboxes on a small scale, but not for large and bulky ones.

Method 2: Migrate AWS WorkMail to Google Workspace

For users transferring their Enterprise Exchange or multiple accounts, using the GWMME Tool is an ideal solution for manual migrations. The steps for it are defined as:

  1. Initially, begin with the installation of Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Exchange on your PC.
  2. Then, in its Admin Console, proceed to Apps→Google Workspace→Data Migration.
  3. After that, there, select Migrate from Exchange or other Mail Systems/IMAP.
  4. Later, enter your AWS Workmail details and credentials and click Next.
  5. At last, choose your migration options, map the mailboxes, and initiate the procedure for the same.

Loophole: This method is only available for the Windows OS. Also, it requires admin access and a high level of expertise.

Pro Tips to Effectively Migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail

  1. Before you begin, check the IMAP server details referent to your AWS region.
  2. Check the Gmail inbox limit to make sure you don’t exceed it during the migration.
  3. Keep both accounts active at least 7 days after the migration in order to make sure all emails/data are accounted for.
  4. If you need to perform migration on a larger scale or are using enterprise AWS accounts, consider using an automated tool.

Automatic Migrate Email from Amazon WorkMail to Gmail

When larger entities are migrating manually, it can take hours and be prone to errors. Thus, a professional SysInfo Amazon WorkMail Backup Tool guarantees:

  • Bulk Amazon AWS mailbox transfer without data loss.
  • Retaining folder structure and metadata such as (read/unread, timestamps, and attachments).
  • Faster execution with minimal downtime and no mailbox size limits.
  • Ability to migrate instantly and securely to Gmail and Google Workspace accounts.
  • Managing migrations with reports for compliance tracking.

Steps to Migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail

  1. First, start the Amazon WorkMail Backup Software and sign in with your credentials.
  2. Or, for multiple accounts, Import CSV, add accounts, choose them, and click Next.
  3. Then, choose the particular items and folders that you have to migrate and click Next.
  4. Further, pick the Gmail client from the choose email list and sign in with the same.
  5. Lastly, apply all your crucial filters to improve the result and click Convert to finish.

This is how simple the migration process is with the tool, and that too in a few steps. Moreover, you must know that this tool also has a demo version, which facilitates free conversions for a limited files from the mailbox. Besides this, if you want conditional migration, then consult our technical expert right away!

Conclusion

When you migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail, it helps to switch and gives better collaboration. Manual export work for smaller teams; yet, migrating larger teams or SMEs is best done by an expert tool. Why? Because it gives speed and security with swift export without pausing the daily tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I move contacts and calendars too from AWS Workmail to Gmail?

Ans- Yes. IMAP migration moves mail only, but calendars and contacts can be exported too in CSV and ICS formats. It is best by the AWS WorkMail Backup Tool that imports to Gmail; all from emails to calendar, and contacts at once.

Q. How long does the AWS WorkMail to Gmail Migration usually take?

Ans- It depends on the mailbox size, the network speed, and the method of migration. Manual IMAP migration can take hours or more for each mailbox. So, using the Amazon WorkMail Migration can decrease this time significantly.

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About The Author:

Suman Rawat is a technical content writer and expert in the fields of email migration, data recovery, and email backup. Her passion for helping people has led her to resolve many user queries related to data conversion and cloud backup.

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