How to Import Apple Mail to Gmail or Google Workspace?

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  • Updated on February 18th, 2025

Summary: Migrating emails from Apple Mail (iCloud Mail) to Gmail or Google Workspace can significantly enhance your email experience by providing greater accessibility, improved organization, and advanced collaboration tools. This blog will walk you through the steps involved to import Apple Mail to Gmail. Additionally iCloud Backup Tool ensures that your emails, attachments, and folder structure are seamlessly transferred and well-organized in your new Gmail or Google Workspace account.

Basic Reasons to Transfer Apple Mail to Gmail

Here are some basic reasons why users might choose to transfer Apple Mail to Gmail:

  1. Gmail can be accessed on any device with internet connectivity, whereas Apple Mail is limited to Apple devices.
  2. It offers larger storage limits compared to iCloud Mail, allowing for more emails and attachments to be stored.
  3. Gmail has powerful search capabilities, making it easier to find specific emails across large volumes of messages.
  4. Its labeling system provides more flexibility than Apple Mail’s folder-based organization.
  5. Gmail integrates seamlessly with other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Docs, offering a more connected ecosystem.

Proven Solutions to Import Apple Mail to Gmail 

In the upcoming section, we’ll walk you through various methods to import your Apple Mail data into Gmail. Whether you want to use Gmail’s built-in import feature, manually transfer emails, or drag and drop them from one platform to the other, this step-by-step process will ensure you move all your important messages smoothly and securely. Let’s get started!

Procedure 01: Manual Method-Drag-and-Drop Apple Mail Emails to Gmail

If you’re looking for a straightforward method to transfer your emails from Apple Mail to Gmail, the drag-and-drop method is a simple and efficient option. This method involves setting up your Gmail account in Apple Mail and then manually dragging emails or entire folders from Apple Mail to Gmail.

Step 01: Add the Gmail Account to Apple Mail

Before you can move emails from Apple Mail to Gmail, you need to add your Gmail account to Apple Mail. Here’s how you can configure your Gmail account in Apple Mail. 

  • Open Apple Mail on your Mac.
  • In the top-left corner of your screen, click on Mail>> Preferences and select Add Account.
  • Sign in with your Gmail credentials (email address and password).
  • Make sure to check the Mail option and click Done to finish setting up Gmail in Apple Mail.

After setting up Gmail, you should see your Gmail account in the sidebar under the Mailboxes section of Apple Mail.

Step 02: Drag-and-Drop Emails into Gmail

Once your Gmail account is set up in Apple Mail and your emails are organized, you can begin the drag-and-drop process to transfer them:

  1. In Apple Mail, select the emails or entire mailbox (folder) that you want to move to Gmail.
  2. In the sidebar, locate your Gmail account under the Mailboxes section.
  3. Select the Inbox or another folder in your Gmail account where you want to move the emails.
  4. Drag the selected emails (or mailbox) and drop them into the desired folder under your Gmail account.

Apple Mail will now begin syncing the emails to Gmail via IMAP. Depending on the number of emails, the process may take some time, especially if you are moving large batches of emails.

Cons of Drag-and-Drop Method:

  • It can be time-consuming for large amounts of emails, especially in bulk.
  • Requires manual organization, which can be cumbersome with many folders.
  • May not work smoothly if the Apple Mail account isn’t synced properly with Gmail via IMAP.

Procedure 02: Import Apple Mail to Gmail Using Gmail’s Import Feature

If you prefer to use Gmail’s built-in tools for importing your Apple Mail data, the Gmail Import feature is a simple and effective option. This method works by connecting Gmail to your Apple Mail account (or another email account) and allowing Gmail to fetch emails automatically.

Let’s go through the step-by-step process of how to use this feature to import your Apple Mail data to Gmail.

  • First, ensure that IMAP is enabled in your Gmail account. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) allows Gmail to sync emails from other email accounts. 
  • To do this, open Gmail in your web browser, click on the gear icon in the top-right corner and select See All Settings
  • Navigate to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab, and under the IMAP Access section, select Enable IMAP. Don’t forget to click Save Changes to confirm.
  • Next, you need to connect your Apple Mail account to Gmail. To do this, go to the Accounts and Import tab in Gmail settings. 
  • In this section, you’ll find the option to Import mail and contacts. Click on Import Mail and then enter the email address associated with your Apple Mail account.
  • Gmail will prompt you to enter your email account password. Afterward, it will automatically detect the server settings needed to import emails. 
  • Once everything is set, click Start Import. Gmail will now begin importing your Apple Mail emails. 

The process may take some time, depending on the number of emails in your Apple Mail account. Once the import is complete, your Apple Mail emails will appear in Gmail. 

Cons of Using Gmail’s Import Feature:

  • This method may take a long time to import a large number of emails.
  • It only works with external email accounts, not directly with Apple Mail’s local data.
  • It doesn’t allow you to select specific emails for import; the entire inbox is transferred.

Procedure 03: All-in-one Solution to Import Mac Mail to Gmail in Bulk

The DRS iCloud Mail Backup Tool offers an efficient and user-friendly solution for users looking to back up and migrate their Apple Mail data to Gmail. It simplifies the transition, preserves email structures, and ensures data security during the process. Whether you’re moving personal or professional emails, this tool can significantly ease the migration from Apple Mail to Gmail.

  • Backup iCloud Mail: Safely backs up emails, contacts, and attachments from iCloud Mail.
  • Multiple Export Formats: Supports exporting to PST, EML, MBOX, MSG, and PDF formats.
  • Seamless Gmail Import: Directly imports Apple Mail to Gmail with a preserved folder structure.
  • Batch Processing: Enables bulk migration of multiple AppleMail accounts.
  • Preserved Email Structure: Maintains folder hierarchy, labels, and email metadata.
  • User-friendly Interface: Simple, step-by-step guide for easy backup and migration.
  • Secure and Reliable: Ensures encrypted data transfer with no loss during migration.

Simplified Steps to Migrate from Apple Mail to Gmail

  • First, download and install the DRS Softech iCloud Mail Backup Tool on your computer.
  • Open the tool and log into your iCloud account using your Apple ID and Password (or App-Specific Password for enhanced security).
  • After that, choose the mail folders you wish to export from Apple Mail.
  • Select Gmail as the destination for your emails. Enter the Gmail credentials to log in. 
  • Also, you can configure the additional settings of the software accordingly. 
  • After configuring the settings, click “Convert” to begin the migration.

Once the process is complete, log into your Gmail account, and you should see your iCloud emails appear with the correct labels and folder organization.

Also Read: Import MBOX Files to Gmail Account

Conclusion

The above blog mentioned the top solutions to import Apple Mail to Gmail. With given methods, you can ensure that all your important messages are safely migrated without losing any crucial data. Whether you choose to use Gmail’s import feature or drag and drop you’ll be able to enjoy the full benefits of Gmail while keeping your past communications intact.

If you’re looking for a quicker or more advanced solution, consider using the given migration tool designed specifically for email transfers. It offers more customization and control over the migration process.

About The Author:

Hi, I’m Md Shoaib! I enjoy writing about technologies and helping my readers with their queries, and I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself and grow. Professionally, I work as a Digital Marketer, where I specialize in SEO and Copywriting.

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