Move or Copy Mail From One Gmail Account to Another (2024)

What to Know

In Gmail, go to Settings > See All Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP. In POP Download, select Enable POP for all mail.
See All Settings > Accounts and Import > Add email account > email address> Import emails from my other account (POP3).
POP Server = pop.gmail.com and Port = 995. Select Yes, I want to be able to send mail. Select Treat as an alias. Verify account.

This article explains how to configure POP access and then use one of two methods to migrate messages between Gmail accounts: fetch emails using Gmail, or manually transfer emails with an email program like Outlook. Also included are instructions to stop importing mail.

Configure POP Access for Your Old Account

You must have your old account configured to allow access using Post Office Protocol. If you already set it up, make sure all email programs or services you have configured to download mail from your old Gmail account using POP are closed or set not to check mail automatically. Then skip to the next section.

If you haven't yet activated POP:

From your Gmail account, select the Settings gear icon in the accounts toolbar.
Select See All Settings.
Choose Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
In the POP Download section, select Enable POP for all mail as the status.
You do not have to move messages to the old account's inbox for the new account to pick them up. Archived mail will be fetched and copied to the new account automatically.
From the When messages are accessed with POP menu, you have several options:
- Select archive Gmail's copy to clear your old account's inbox while keeping them in the Archive folder in case you want to access them later.
- Select delete Gmail's copy to move mail instead of copying it. This option moves old messages to the trash, so you won't be able to get them later.
- Select keep Gmail's copy in the Inbox to leave the original message untouched.
- Choose mark Gmail's copy as read to leave the original email in the Inbox and mark it as read. This shows you what Gmail has forwarded and what it hasn't.
If you do want to retain some messages at the old account, they will be available in the Trash label for 30 days.
Select Save Changes.

Make Your New Gmail Account Fetch Messages

Next, prompt your new Gmail account to fetch the messages you want to transfer.

After you've logged into the account, select the Settings gear icon.
Select See All Settings from the menu.
Go to the Accounts and Import tab.
Select Add a mail accountunder Check mail from other accounts.
Enter the email address of the Gmail account from which you want to import under Email address.
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Select Next.
On the next screen, select theImport emails from my other account (POP3)option.
Select Next.
Type the password for the Gmail account from which you import under Password.
If you have enabled two-factor authentication for the old Gmail account, create and use a Gmail application password instead.
Select pop.gmail.com under POP Server.
Select 995 under Port.
Verify Leave a copy of retrieved messages on the server is not checked.
Verify Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail is checked. Select Label incoming messages and pick the label corresponding to the old Gmail account's email address, an existing label, or a new label.Select Archive incoming messages (Skip the Inbox), so imported emails do not show up your new Gmail account's inbox.
Select Add Account.

If you see an access error, you have two options: With 2-step authentication enabledespecially, youmay have to authorize Gmail to access itself. If you do not have 2-step authentication turned on, make sure "less secure" applications are allowed to access Gmail.
Select Yes, I want to be able to send mail as username@gmail.com under Would you also like to be able to send mail as username@gmail.com?
Having your old address set up as a sending address in the new account lets Gmail recognize your old sent messages and place them in the Sent Mail label. You can always add your old address as a sending address later. If you do select No, click Finish right away and skip the following steps that add the old address to the new account.

Make Your Gmail Accounts Recognize Each Other

To make sure your old Gmail address is recognized by the new Gmail account as one of yours — and available for sending:

Continuing from Yes, I want to be able to send mail as username@gmail.com, select Next.
Enter your name underName.
Leave Treat as an alias checked.
Select Next Step twice.
Select Send Verification.
Click Close window.
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Select the account icon in the top right corner of Gmail.
Select Sign out from the sheet that comes up.
Log in to Gmail using the address from which you import.
Open the message from Gmail Team with the subject Gmail Confirmation - Send Mail as username@gmail.com.
Highlight and copy the numeral confirmation code under Confirmation code. It is better not to follow the verification link and instead login with the correct account in your browser first, then use the code there.
As an alternative to the somewhat convoluted process that follows, you can wait for your new Gmail account to import the verification message and follow the confirmation link from there.
Select your account's icon in the top right corner.
Select Sign out.
Log in to Gmail again, this time with the account to which you're importing.
Select the Settings gear icon.
Click See All Settings.
Open the Accounts and Import tab.
Select Verify for the old Gmail account's address under Send mail as.
Paste the verification code under Enter and verify the confirmation code.
SelectVerify to finish connecting the accounts.

Gmail will not fetch all messages in one go. It will download mail from the old account in batches of approximately 100 to 200 emails at a time instead. Typically, importing will start with the oldest messages.

Gmail will download messages in your old Gmail account's Sent Mail label along with messages you've received. Sent mail will appear under the new account's Sent Mail label, too.

After importing, you can use the old address with your new Gmail account, effectively combining the two accounts.

How to Stop Importing Mail from a Gmail Account

To stop Gmail from importing new messages from the old account, follow these steps.

Select the Settings gear icon in the new Gmail account.
Select See All Settings.
Go to the Accounts and Import category.
Selectdelete for the Gmail account from which you imported under Check mail from other accounts.
SelectOK on the Confirm delete mail account prompt.

How to Manually Move Emails

The steps above work solely within Gmail. The messages from your old account will feature new labels.

Alternatively, add both Gmail accounts to a program like Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird and manually drag individual messages or folders (i.e., labels in Gmail) between accounts, preserving the original labels from the old account.

How to Delete All Emails in Gmail App

FAQ

How do I delete my Gmail account?

To delete your Gmail account, open your Google account settings and select Data & privacy > Delete a Google Service > sign in > select the trash can icon next to Gmail. Enter the email address to delete and follow the prompts, then open Google's verification email, open the deletion URL, then select Yes > Delete Gmail > Done.
How do I change my Gmail password?

To change your Gmail password, open Gmail and select Settings > See all settings > Accounts and Import > Change password. Enter your current password to verify > select Next > enter your new password and verify > select Change Password to finish.
How do I sign out of Gmail?

To sign out of your Gmail account, open Gmail in your web browser and select your profile > Sign Out. Alternately, sign out from the Gmail app by selecting your profile photo > Manage accounts > turn off the switch next to your account name to temporarily deactivate it.

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