Migrate Gmail to ProtonMail – Complete How-To Guide

Whether you are a casual user or someone managing multiple accounts together, ensure complete data integrity with the step-by-step guides here. But before that, let’s have a brief understanding of the emails and other essential elements.

Switch from Gmail to ProtonMail: Pre-Migration Checklist

Before you proceed with the migration process, it is necessary to understand which measures you must take. These are described as follows:

• Sort Gmail Labels: ProtonMail brings in Gmail labels as folders. Cleaning up any overlapping labels will prevent confusion.
• Check your Storage Usage: Gmail may limit access by allowing huge storage spaces, but ProtonMail limits storage based on your plan details.
• Backup Gmail Data: Ensure you have a local copy of your data when ready to migrate.
• Check Email Filters: Since Google won’t import filters automatically, you need to check in case there is something worth reestablishing in ProtonMail.
• Verify Contact Information: Also, remember that ProtonMail does not sync Gmail email address book automatically. Either way, you need to export those separately.

How to Migrate Gmail to ProtonMail Reliably?

After getting a thorough understanding of the measures to take, let’s proceed to the migration methods. This involves some free manual processes and an automated tool, which makes the task quick, smooth, and secure. Let’s explore the methods:

Cost-Free Methods to Migrate from Gmail to ProtonMail

As mentioned, we will see several methods in this section for manual transfers. These methods may be a bit difficult and lengthy, especially for users from a non-technical background. Also, there are chances that the method does not provide the absolute outcomes. These are mentioned here:

Method 1: Transfer Gmail to ProtonMail via Built-In Feature

1. ProtonMail has an Import-Export app available only for paid users.
2. Now, you need to download the app and install it.
3. Then, log in to ProtonMail and from its Settings, choose Import via Easy Switch.
4. After that, click Google→Import Message.
5. Further, grant access to your Google account and select which folders/emails to migrate. Hit Start Import.
6. Once done, this tool will transfer messages directly from Gmail to your encrypted mailbox in ProtonMail.

Method 2: Migrate Gmail to ProtonMail by Forwarding

1. First, log in to Gmail → See All Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
2. Afterward, type in your ProtonMail address under the “Forwarding” section. Click Next.
3. Then confirm verification through your ProtonMail email address.
4. Later, go back to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab and choose to forward a copy of incoming emails.
5. From that point on, all future emails will be forwarded to ProtonMail automatically. (Note that this method does not migrate or export your past emails.)

Method 3: Transfer Emails from Gmail to ProtonMail (Takeout)

1. In Gmail, use Google Takeout to export your entire mailbox as one MBOX file.
2. To do so, open Takeout and Deselect All to only choose Mail→Next Step.
3. Then, set your frequency, size, destination, and tap Create Export to begin the process.
4. All your files are exported as .mbox files once you extract them from the downloaded ZIP folder.
5. Furthermore, ProtonMail doesn’t import MBOX natively, but you can open it in a mail client like Thunderbird.
6. For this, foremost, connect your ProtonMail account to Thunderbird via IMAP.
7. Finally, drag/drop the emails into your ProtonMail mailbox using the IMAP bridge (only for paid users).

Method 4: Migrate Gmail to ProtonMail with IMAP

1. Set up both Gmail and ProtonMail (through IMAP) in the same mail client.
2. Then simply drag and drop messages/folders from your Gmail account tree into your ProtonMail account.

Note: This option is effective for bulk transfers; however depends upon internet speed and the amount of mail being transferred.

Method 5: Migrate from Gmail to ProtonMail (Download/Upload)

1. First, open Gmail→ click on the email→ click More (⋮) → Download message (.eml).
2. Further, you can either upload your EML file to ProtonMail through an email client or just send it to yourself. For detailed guidance, check out Export Gmail to EML Files.

Note: This option is only helpful if you have only a small number of key messages.

Major Drawbacks of the Manual Methods

• You need to work with several applications and email clients.
• A stable internet connection is essential, and the process takes time.
• Also, with forwarding, only the new emails are moved and not the old ones.

So, amid all these hectic manual solutions, what is an easy way? If you need to go straight and perform a direct migration, then the professional tool is your go-to choice. You can learn about it in brief here.

Direct Method to Instantly Migrate Gmail to ProtonMail

Have you been stressed about migrating 100s or 1000s of Gmail emails into a ProtonMail account? No worries, because the SysInfo Gmail Backup Tool can do this in minimal time, and that too with complete accuracy and retained structure. Additionally, no matter you are a casual user or an IT expert, this excellent tool is very easy to use and works for all Windows and Mac OS. Moreover, the tool has several filters, and you can securely perform the migrations with ease.

Process to Transfer Emails from Gmail to ProtonMail

1. Firstly, download and start the Gmail Backup Tool on your system.
2. After that, sign in with your Gmail credentials and grant the required permissions. Preview and select folders, click Next.
3. To proceed, from the Save As options, choose IMAP as the destination type to directly migrate to ProtonMail.
4. Meanwhile, apply filters such as date range or specific folders if needed.
5. Later, enter your ProtonMail credentials to connect your ProtonMail account through IMAP.
6. Finally, select Convert to start transferring your emails directly from Gmail to ProtonMail.

Conclusion

Migrating Gmail to ProtonMail can feel like a difficult task if you have years of messages to transfer. Manual methods work well but take a lot of time and effort. Using an expert-recommended tool makes the process fast, safe, and easy. Also, it maintains all your emails, folders, and attachments exactly as they were. This way, you can switch to ProtonMail without stress or data loss.

FAQs

About The Author:

Suman Rawat

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.