How to Migrate IMAP to Gmail Account – Quick Steps

Are you tired of juggling multiple email clients? Whether you are switching from Outlook, Apple Mail, or even your web hosting provider (such as cPanel). Migrating your email accounts to Gmail is easier than you think. In this blog, learn how to migrate IMAP to Gmail for free or with an effective IMAP Backup Tool. It is needed to centralize email communication, improve productivity by having all email accounts easily accessible, and harness all of Google’s awesome features.

Top Reasons to Import IMAP Email to Gmail

Gmail has some distinct advantages to make it a great place to consolidate all your email accounts into one hub! The factors are mentioned as:

  • Single Inbox: Check all your email accounts in a single Gmail interface that lets you manage all of your work, personal, and side venture email in a single location.
  • Robust Search: Quickly find any email you want, regardless of which email account. Google is exceptional at searching using industry-leading search technology, aka AI.
  • Better Organization: Labels to sort emails, filters to manage incoming messages, and categories to automatically assign incoming messages.
  • Advanced Security: Take advantage of two-factor authentication and Gmail’s spam filtering.
  • Integration: Gmail connects with all the other Google services you use every day, such as Calendar, Drive, Meet, etc.

Reliable Methods to Migrate IMAP to Gmail

As everyone is well aware of the IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) and Gmail. Both can be easily configured together with the correct IMAP and SMTP settings. There is a manual method with Google’s built-in feature, explained here. But with the manual method comes its shortfalls. So, an automated solution is given at the end for accurate migrations.

Constructively Add IMAP Email to Gmail

This is a standard free method for a single IMAP account. Follow these steps:

  1. Open your Gmail, log in, and click the gear icon to access All Settings.
  2. Then, go to Accounts and Import >> Add a Mail Account.
  3. Further, enter your IMAP account email address and click Continue.
  4. Next, enter your server credentials and verify them.
  5. Uncheck “Leave a copy of retrieved message on the server” if you don’t need a copy of emails.
  6. Finally, press Add Account to connect. Grant all permissions, and the emails start to move.

Note: Enter the server credentials depending on your IMAP account (Outlook/Thunderbird/or others). If you have any doubts, contact their concerned support.

This Gmail import from IMAP method is possible. But you require technical expertise, it is time-consuming if your mailbox is large, and it has no support for batch IMAP accounts.

Smartly Migrate IMAP to Gmail Account

If you have several accounts, a gigantic mailbox (well over 20GB), or simply want to keep the folder structure you have, using SysInfo IMAP Backup Tool is the best answer. With it you can:

  • Migrate several IMAP accounts to Gmail in one run.
  • Map folders exactly from your old client to Gmail labels.
  • Transfer terabytes of data without approaching timeouts.
  • Receive a comprehensive migration report after the conversion.
  • Maintain folder hierarchy and keep the data structure intact.
  • Evaluate the performance and complete transfer of 50 emails per folder free with the Demo Version.

05 Simple Steps to Import IMAP Mail to Gmail

  1. Download and install the application on your Windows/Mac/Linux machine.
  2. Choose a Single or Batch account as your source, and enter your IMAP credentials (Server, Port, Email, App Password).
  3. Further, preview emails presented in the tree view and select folders. Tap Next.
  4. After that, choose Gmail as the destination and authenticate with your Google account. (Ensure you are logged in on the browser already.)
  5. In the end, use the advanced tool filters and click Start Process to migrate emails.

Tip: This is an effective option for businesses, intense use cases, or anyone concerned with losing their well-organized folder hierarchy under the IMAP setup.

Conclusion

Learning how to migrate IMAP to Gmail makes an enormous difference in productivity, both personally and professionally. Whether you choose a simple manual option for a single account. Or use the expert tool for a complex migration; you now know how to properly consolidate your email into one place. Enjoy the convenience of one inbox with IMAP Email Backup and get rid of clutter in your online server mailbox.

FAQs

Q. Will Gmail import from IMAP delete emails from my original IMAP account?

Ans- No. Your original emails will continue to show unless you choose to Free Server Space, and that too within the IMAP Email Backup Tool.

Q. How long does the import IMAP email to Gmail take?

Ans- It depends on how many emails you have. Manual methods can take a few hours to a few days to complete the import. Whereas with the professional tool, the import completes in minimal time.

Q. Can I migrate multiple IMAP accounts to one Gmail?

Ans- Yes. You can use the Batch Mode of the IMAP Mail Backup Software for bulk migration. It allows you to “Import CSV” containing details for multiple accounts. Add IMAP email to Gmail and complete your conversion in a batch successfully.

Q. Why are the old folders not visible in Gmail after importing?

Ans- With the manual method, old emails are not preserved, since only new ones are moved. Also, folder structure and labels aren’t preserved correctly. To preserve folders when you import IMAP mail to Gmail, use the SysInfo IMAP Migration Tool.

5/5 - (1 vote)

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.

Related Post