How to Import Gmail Emails to IMAP Account on Mac?

Written By

Published on
July 22nd, 2021

Updated on
February 13, 2024

5 minutes Read

In this article, you will learn – how to Import Gmail Emails to IMAP Account on Mac. We describe different methods to migrate the data along with the reasons for email migration. We will also suggest to you the best among all the techniques.

Gmail is an outstanding email client that provides various advanced features. It has simplified emailing for users so that they can easily take the benefits of the mailing service. This email client supports both POP and IMAP servers. Sometimes, you may want to export Gmail emails to IMAP email client.

If you want to migrate the data, you need to perform some steps to make the migration favorable. In a Mac system, MS Outlook manages multiple email accounts. Also, it supports the IMAP protocol. Therefore, it is an ideal option to export your Gmail emails to Outlook for Mac.

First, let us understand why users need to migrate our emails to IMAP email client.

Why Users Need to Export Gmail Emails to IMAP?

Although Gmail is an incomparable email client, Mac users are migrating Gmail emails to IMAP email accounts. There are several reasons so we are discussing some of the most common reasons for Gmail to IMAP migration on Mac.

  • When you want to integrate your Gmail account to Outlook, you need to export your Gmail emails to the IMAP email client. It helps you to manage multiple email accounts at one place.
  • In terms of privacy, an IMAP email client is more secure than Gmail. IMAP also provides various advanced features like contacts, calendars, tasks, etc.

These are the main causes why mac users are preferring IMAP email clients more than Gmail. Now, let us learn how to transfer Gmail Account to IMAP Email Client on macOS.

Methods to Import Gmail Emails to IMAP Account

You can export Gmail email to IMAP by performing some manual steps. There are two steps required to transfer Gmail account to IMAP email client. You have to perform these steps to migrate the data.

  1. Enable IMAP Settings in Gmail Account
  2. Add Gmail Account in Mac Outlook

Now, let us explore both steps one by one.

#1. Enable IMAP Settings in Gmail Account

The first step to import email from Gmail account to IMAP email client is to enable IMAP settings in Gmail. It is necessary because Mac Outlook is an IMAP email client. Follow the below steps to activate IMAP settings in your Gmail account.

  • Login to your Gmail account using login credentials.

Login to your Gmail account

  • Click on the Gear icon in the top right and choose the See all settings option.

Click on the Gear icon

  • After that, move to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.

Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab

  • Select the Enable IMAP option in the IMAP Access section.

Select the Enable IMAP option in the IMAP Access section

  • At last, click on the Save Changes button to complete the procedure.

click on the Save Changes

#2. Add Gmail Account in Mac Outlook

As you enable IMAP in your Gmail account, you can add this account to Outlook for Mac. After enabling IMAP in Gmail, you can easily configure the email account in Mac Outlook. You can add an email account in Outlook by following the steps below.

  • Open Microsoft Outlook on your Mac PC.
  • Now, click on the Outlook option at the top left corner.
  • After that, choose the Preferences option from the list.
  • Then, select the Accounts option. In Outlook 2011 for Mac, go to Tools first, then choose the Accounts option.
  • Next, you will see the Accounts wizard, click on the + button, and press the New Accounts button to add a new email account.
  • Enter your Gmail email address and Password in the required field.
  • After that, click on the Allow button and then select the Open Microsoft Outlook option.
  • At last, click on the Done button after finishing the process.

After following the above two steps, you can effectively import email from Gmail account to IMAP email client. The above procedures are suitable for expert users as it requires technical knowledge. A naive or new user can not migrate the data through manual solutions. Let us learn some more limitations of the standard approach.

Limitations of Manual Approach to Import Gmail Emails to IMAP

The standard methods are not ideal for all users. It has various limitations that are listed below.

  • It is a complicated process to migrate Gmail emails to IMAP email clients. New users can not perform these steps.
  • The manual approach is a time-consuming process. Sometimes, it takes a few days to migrate the data.
  • The chances of file corruption are high in manual methods.

Above are the main reasons why you should not adopt the standard methods. You must have an advanced solution to import email from Gmail account to IMAP email client.

Professional Method to Convert Gmail Emails to IMAP

MacSonik Gmail Backup Tool is a professional tool to import Gmail email to IMAP on Mac. It migrates the emails in a few easy steps. Any novice user can use the software without any additional assistance. Therefore, it is a fast and effective software for everyone. Apart from that, it is a safe and reliable utility that does not damage the file content. Software also allows users to export Gmail Emails to PDF on Mac. It is the best alternative to the standard approach to export your mailbox data.

Download button

Conclusion

The manual approach to import Gmail Emails to IMAP Account on Mac is efficient but unsuitable for some users. Therefore, you should choose professional software to migrate your mailbox data. It is a fast and reliable tool that provides various advanced features. Hence, it is an ideal solution for migrating Gmail emails to Mac Outlook.

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