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How to Migrate Gmail to IMAP Account | A Superlative Guide

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  • Updated on May 20th, 2025

Summary: Millions of users worldwide have worked with the Hotmail application, and even now tend to use it. With this, some users want to transfer emails from Gmail to Hotmail for Microsoft benefits. If you are among those users, too, then utilize the relevant solutions described in this blog along with a Gmail Email Backup Tool. It is significantly useful for bulk transfer of emails from a Gmail mailbox to another client’s mailbox in seconds. Find out answers to all your hows and whys below.

Which Factors Support Gmail to IMAP Migration?

The reasons mentioned below specify clearly why you must migrate Gmail email to IMAP. These are:

  • You can widely access IMAP emails directly from the server across devices and platforms.
  • Emails are easily synchronized across different email for multiple accounts with IMAP.
  • The data on the IMAP cloud server is secure, and there is no problem of the data volume.
  • Several users can access the same emails at once, making the sharing and collaboration of data effective.
  • Also, importing emails over an IMAP server makes them platform-independent.
  • Moreover, users get centralized email management, and the productivity in data search and organization increases.

Migrate Gmail to IMAP Server: Smart Ways

There is no manual migration method to move Gmail emails to IMAP, but you can forward them. Alternatively, if you aren’t satisfied with the manual solution, then we have a direct approach for this migration. It is a professional tool, as explained at the end of this section.

Native Procedure to Import Gmail to IMAP Account

To store Gmail emails in your IMAP for free with the manual process, follow the steps given below:

  1. Start by logging in to Gmail and moving to the Settings to turn on the toggle for less secure apps.
  2. Next, check that your IMAP is enabled in the Gmail account; if not, enable it right away.
  3. Further, within the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab, click on the link stated Add a forwarding address.
  4. After that, add the details of your IMAP server account that you need to connect to access emails.
  5. Complete the forwarding setup and click Finish/Done at the end to migrate Gmail to IMAP.
  6. The new emails received in your Gmail will now automatically move to the connected IMAP account.

The steps seem simple, but there are some drawbacks to this method, as mentioned:

  • Users without technical knowledge of Gmail and other cannot perform these steps.
  • You need stable internet to join IMAP with Gmail for forwarding emails.
  • Also, the emails transferred can go missing, or the data can be compromised in this method.
  • You cannot move old emails, contacts, calendars, etc., with this process when you transfer Gmail to IMAP.

After learning the cons of the manual method, it is clear that a need for a professional solution prevails. It is to overcome these difficulties and have a secure and hassle-free transfer of the data.

Experts’ Prominent Way to Migrate Gmail to IMAP

The Gmail Backup Tool here is an instant way of data migration from one email client to another. Email mailboxes with the domain @gmail.com can be included within the tool to transfer to IMAP or other email clients. Like, you can migrate Gmail emails to Office 365, or Yahoo, AOL, and more. You can also save the data on the system if needed, with complete accuracy and no risks involved. Additionally, the tool has no limitations for the size of the mailbox and the number of Gmail emails within it. Moreover, the tool has various filters for a great customisation of the data on any operating system.

Working Stepwise Process to Import Gmail to IMAP

  1. With the Gmail Email Backup Software, first, complete signing in to the Gmail email.
  2. Next, pick up the folders displayed in the second window of the tool’s interface.
  3. Click Next and continue to get the IMAP email client for the saving output option.
  4. Further, sign in IMAP account with the correct credentials on the redirected browser.
  5. At last, with filters opted, press the Start Migration clicker and let the email migration take place successfully.

Conclusion

To conclude, email migration from one client to another is a simple, quick, and easy procedure. Here, we discussed how you can feasibly migrate Gmail to IMAP for free, but there were some limitations to it. So, we also learned the professional way to move emails without risks and at once in seconds. Also, the tool has a trial version, which migrates 50 emails per folder for free, including other data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to migrate Gmail emails to an IMAP account?

Ans- The steps for an effortless way to transfer Gmail to IMAP are given as follows:
1. Run the Gmail to IMAP Migrator utility and log in to the source account.
2. Then, with the folders chosen for migration, click Next to proceed. 
3. Further, the IMAP is your destination client; log in to it for transfer.
4. Lastly, click the button at the bottom stating Start Migration to initiate the process.

Q. Is it possible to migrate Gmail to IMAP in bulk?

Ans- Yes. Gmail to IMAP migration in bulk for single and multiple emails is possible. Do it with the given Gmail to IMAP Exporter Tool.

About The Author:

Addy Wang is a talented content writer with a passion for creating engaging and informative articles. With a keen eye for detail and a strong command of language, Addy has the ability to craft compelling pieces that resonate with readers.