Seamlessly import your emails from any IMAP server to Google

Seamlessly import your emails from any IMAP server to Google Workspace

We’re excited to announce the GA release of a new, simplified way for Workspace admins to import their past emails from any IMAP-based email provider while setting up Google Workspace.

By using this new feature, Google Workspace admins can import past emails seamlessly in a few clicks from multiple IMAP servers including Hostinger, Zoho, Yahoo!, iCloud, and many more. This significantly reduces the time and effort required to switch to Google Workspace, and consolidates your important emails into one secure location.

You can start the import process in two simple steps:

1. Connect to the IMAP server of your choice
2. Type in your IMAP email address and password

Additional details

You can now import past emails of only one user through this new feature. Visit the Help Center to learn how to import emails from multiple IMAP accounts.
You can import users and data only after completing your domain verification and email activation. The data import process runs in the background while you can continue with your Workspace setup.

Getting started

Admins: This feature will be available in the setup process for Google Workspace. Once you’ve verified your domain and activated your email records, you will find an option to import from IMAP-based email provider to Google Workspace. Visit the Help Center to learn more about importing emails from IMAP account during setup.
End users: This feature is for admins only.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Available now

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Import business data during setup

Example of email import process from any IMAP server

Google Workspace admins can seamlessly import historical emails from any IMAP-based email provider (such as Hostinger, Zoho, Yahoo!, or iCloud) using the built-in data import tool directly inside the Google Admin Console. [1, 2]

📋 Prerequisites Before You Begin

Admin Rights: You must log in as a Super Administrator. [3, 4]
Domain & MX Setup: Ensure you have verified your domain ownership and activated your email MX records. [5]
IMAP Enabled: Ensure IMAP is turned on for both your source accounts and your target Google Workspace accounts. [4]
Credentials: Collect the source email addresses and passwords (or app passwords) for all users being migrated. [6, 7]

🚀 Step-by-Step Migration Guide

1. Access the Migration Tool

Log in to the Google Admin Console.
From the navigation menu, go to Data > Data Import and Export > Data Migration. [2, 8]
Click Set Data Migration Up (or select IMAP from the available migration tiles). [2, 9]

2. Configure the Source Connection

Set the migration source type to IMAP.
Enter your source IMAP server address (e.g., ://yourprovider.com).
Select your security settings (usually SSL/TLS encryption over Port 993).
Click Test Connection to ensure Google can communicate with your old server. [2, 7, 8, 10]

3. Set Settings and Map Users

Choose Options: Select a migration start date if you only want recent emails, or opt to include/exclude specific folders like Spam or Deleted items. [7, 9]
Map Mailboxes: Click Select Users. You can add users individually by entering their old email, password, and new Google Workspace address, or upload a bulk CSV mapping file if migrating many users at once. [7, 8, 9]
Start: Click Start Migration. The process runs fully in the background, so you can safely close your browser window. [5, 7]

4. Run a Delta Pass (Optional but Recommended)

Once the main migration finishes, perform a delta migration. This scans the old server one final time to fetch any new emails that arrived during the transition period, ensuring zero data loss. [7]

⚠️ Important Migration Scope

What is migrated: The native tool imports email messages and label/folder data while preserving read/unread statuses.
What is NOT migrated: The IMAP protocol does not support syncing calendars, contacts, notes, or drive files. These must be exported and imported separately.
Size limits: The native console tool supports up to 100 source users per migration project. For larger environments, consider breaking the transition into batches or utilizing Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Exchange (GWMME). [3, 6, 11]