How to Move Emails from Thunderbird to Gmail? Verified Ways

Want to move emails from Thunderbird to Gmail to fill the gap between local and cloud-based email platforms. It offers secure cloud storage, accessibility from anywhere and easy GUI. So, in this guide, we will share the most effective approaches to import mails from Thunderbird to Gmail using Thunderbird to Gmail Migration Tool.

Thunderbird is an open-source desktop email client and it’s offers for sending and receiving emails for both personal and corporate communication. It recently updated its interface and encryption to make communication more secure. It supports add-ons, filters, and easily configure with multiple email accounts using IMAP, POP3, and SMTP protocols.

Gmail is a free email service provider it offers free 15 GB cloud storage to easily store and access their data without worries about the local storage limit restrictions. It recently offers AI powered features like Smart Compose, email drafting, advanced phishing protection through machine learning algorithms.

Motives to Import Mails from Thunderbird to Gmail

• Gmail allows access anytime, anywhere from any device without depending on any specific machine.
• Users can consolidate multiple email accounts into one platform, simplifying email management.
• It offers advanced filters, two-factor authentication, Encryption, auto-categorization and advanced security to keep mailbox data in a safer environment from a local storage.
• You can also integrate smoothly with other Google Workspace apps such as Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Meet and more.
• Gmail contains its data in the cloud and it minimizes the risk of data loss due to system crashes or hardware failure.

How to Move Emails from Thunderbird to Gmail Using Thunderbird to Gmail Migration Tool?

If you have multiple Thunderbird profiles or large-sized mailbox data, then according to expert suggestions, we recommend opting for Thunderbird Converter, as it offers fully maintained results. It can also convert emails, contacts, and calendars without losing or affecting any attributes.

Steps to Import Mails from Thunderbird to Gmail

1. Download and run “Thunderbird to Gmail Migration Tool” on your pc.
2. Select “Convert configured Thunderbird mailboxes” data or select Thunderbird files or folder as you want to convert.
3. Choose “Thunderbird mailbox folders” as you want to import.
4. Browse “Gmail” in the several options of select saving options.
5. Select “language” as you prefer and tap on Copy to default folder if required.
6. Enter “Gmail email address and password” to login your email account.
7. Press the “Next” button to start “moving emails from Thunderbird to Gmail”.

Astonishing Features of Thunderbird to Gmail Migration Tool

• You can easily export Thunderbird emails to CSV, PDF, PST, TXT, EML, MBOX, and 28+ other saving options.
• This application offers an easy-to-navigate interface that can be used by any user, whether they are technically proficient or have limited technical knowledge.
• It allows users to migrate Thunderbird to Outlook, Yahoo, Office 365, and all IMAP-supported email platforms.
• With this wizard, you can also use filter options to convert data based on date, sender, receiver, excluded folders, root folder, blank sender address, blank receiver address, etc.
• It also offers dual upload options to select Thunderbird files or a whole folder containing single or multiple Thunderbird profiles. Alternatively, you can use configured Thunderbird mailboxes to detect and convert multiple Thunderbird profiles for batch conversion.

How to Import Mails from Thunderbird to Gmail Manually?

If you want to import mails from Thunderbird to Gmail account then you can follow instructions manually as we have stated below:

Part 1. Enable IMAP in Gmail

1. Visit “Gmail” and enter Google email and password to login your email account.
2. Go to “Gear Icon” and click on “See All Settings”.
3. Now, choose “forwarding and POP/IMAP” then click on “Enable IMAP” and press Save Changes.
4. Click on “Manage your Google Account” and click on Security.
5. Enable “Two Step verification” and click on App Password.
6. Generate “App Password” and copy it and save it.

Part 2. Configure Gmail Account with Thunderbird

1. First, Open “Mozilla Thunderbird” and click on “Add Account”.
2. Now, Enter “Gmail” username, email address and app password.
3. After clicking on Continue, choose “IMAP” then press Next to configure.
4. Now, “Drag and Drop emails” from Thunderbird to my Gmail account.

Issues with Manual Method

• Transferring large numbers of emails can be tedious and take significant time especially when dealing with large size mailbox data.
• During drag and drop emails there is a possibility of missing some emails or metadata will not be preserved.
• Enabling IMAP, Generating app password, configuring with Thunderbird, not reliable for all types of users.

How to Move Emails from Thunderbird to Gmail using Gmail Import Feature?

Google offers an inbuilt import feature that allows importing emails from other email accounts. Now, follow the instructions as we have mentioned below:

1. First, Visit “Gmail” official webpage: mail.google.com.
2. Enter “Gmail email address and password” to login your email account.
3. Click on “Settings” and choose “See All Settings”.
4. Here, Select “Accounts and Import” and click on “Import Mail and contacts”.
5. Click on “Import Mail from other accounts” and enter the Thunderbird email account.
6. Now, Enter username, and password to verify it and press Continue to start “Move mails from Thunderbird to Gmail”.

Hurdles with Gmail Import Feature

• It cannot directly support Thunderbird. Users are required to configure Thunderbird with another email service such as Yahoo or Rediffmail. Now, you can configure it with Gmail.
• The Gmail import feature can consume several hours or even whole days, depending on the size of the mailbox data.
• Sometimes, it creates duplicate emails in Gmail, leading to unnecessary clutter in your Gmail account.
• It doesn’t maintain the folder hierarchy, and all emails are imported into a single folder, making management difficult.
• Metadata such as timestamps, headers, or formatting may not be preserved as they appear in Thunderbird.

Time to Say Goodbye

In this guide, we have explained effective approaches to move emails from Thunderbird to Gmail manually and using Thunderbird to Gmail Converter. The manual method has several limitations, and metadata will not be preserved. Therefore, we recommend choosing the Thunderbird to Gmail Migration Tool, as it is completely reliable for importing emails, contacts, and calendars. Additionally, it supports export to 28+ formats, making it a highly reliable choice compared to others.

Recurring Questions about Move Emails from Thunderbird to Gmail

Can you sync Thunderbird with Gmail?

Yes, You can sync Thunderbird with Gmail by enabling IMAP in your Gmail account settings and configure Gmail account in Thunderbird. Click on Account Settings and click on Add a Mail account and enter Gmail username, email address, app password, choose IMAP and press Next to successfully configure your Gmail account with Thunderbird.