How to Transfer Emails from an Old Gmail Account to a New Gmail Account: A Complete Guide

If you’ve recently created a new Gmail account and want to transfer emails from your old Gmail to your new one, you’re not alone. Many people upgrade or change their Gmail address for personal, professional, or security reasons. Fortunately, Google offers a convenient and user-friendly way to migrate your old emails to a new inbox.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to transfer emails from one Gmail account to another — step-by-step. Whether you’re switching for a new job, consolidating email accounts, or organizing your inbox, this comprehensive tutorial will help you do it quickly and securely.

Why Transfer Emails to a New Gmail Account?

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand why someone might want to transfer their emails:

• Changing to a professional email address (e.g., from johndoe123@gmail.com to john.doe@gmail.com)
• Separating personal and work emails
• Consolidating multiple Gmail accounts
• Switching to a new Google Workspace (G Suite) account
• Creating a fresh inbox while retaining old data

Regardless of your reason, transferring your emails ensures that you don’t lose important messages or attachments.

Methods to Transfer Emails Between Gmail Accounts

There are two main methods to move your emails from an old Gmail account to a new one:

1. Using Gmail’s Mail Fetcher (POP3) Method
2. Using Google Takeout and Import via MBOX File

Let’s go through both, starting with the easier and most recommended method — Mail Fetcher.

Method 1: Transfer Emails Using Gmail’s Mail Fetcher (Recommended)

Gmail allows you to fetch mail from another Gmail account using the POP3 protocol. This method transfers all existing emails (from Inbox and other folders) and can also fetch new incoming emails for 30 days.

Step 1: Enable POP in the Old Gmail Account

1. Sign in to your old Gmail account.
2. Click the gear icon ⚙️ > See all settings.
3. Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
4. In the POP Download section, select:
   • Enable POP for all mail (even mail that’s already been downloaded)
5. Choose what Gmail should do after messages are accessed with POP:
   • Recommended: Keep Gmail’s copy in the Inbox
6. Click Save Changes.

Step 2: Add the Old Gmail Account to the New One

1. Sign in to your new Gmail account.
2. Go to Settings > See all settings > Accounts and Import.
3. Under Check mail from other accounts, click Add a mail account.
4. Enter your old Gmail email address and click Next.
5. Select Import emails from my other account (POP3) and click Next.
6. Enter the following details:
   • Username: your old Gmail email
   • Password: your old Gmail password (you may need an App Password if 2FA is enabled)
   • POP Server: pop.gmail.com
   • Port: 995
   • Check Always use a secure connection (SSL)
   • Optional: Label incoming messages (e.g., “Old Gmail”)
7. Click Add Account.

Step 3: (Optional) Send Mail As Old Gmail Account

If you still want to send emails from your old address using your new account:

1. After adding the account, Gmail will ask: “Would you also like to be able to send mail as…”
2. Choose Yes, and follow the verification steps.

✅ Gmail will start importing your emails automatically. Depending on the size of your inbox, this can take a few minutes to several hours or even days.

Method 2: Use Google Takeout + MBOX File (Advanced)

This method involves exporting your emails via Google Takeout and importing them into your new account using tools like Mozilla Thunderbird.

Step 1: Export Emails via Google Takeout

1. Go to https://takeout.google.com.
2. Click Deselect all.
3. Scroll to Mail, check the box.
4. Click All Mail data included and select desired labels/folders.
5. Scroll down and click Next step.
6. Choose:
   • Delivery method: Email download link
   • Export type: One-time
   • File type: .zip
7. Click Create export.

⚠️ This process may take hours or days depending on inbox size.

Once ready, download the .zip file, extract the .mbox file inside.

Step 2: Import MBOX File Using Thunderbird (or Third-Party Tool)

1. Download and install Mozilla Thunderbird.
2. Install the ImportExportTools NG add-on (via Add-ons Manager).
3. Create a local folder.
4. Right-click the folder > ImportExportTools NG > Import MBOX file.
5. Choose the .mbox file from Google Takeout.
6. Once imported, you can copy or move emails to your new Gmail account added to Thunderbird.

❗This method is more complex and better suited for tech-savvy users or those with large email archives.

Bonus: Transfer Contacts from Old Gmail to New Gmail

Don’t forget to move your contacts too!

Steps:

1. Sign in to your old Gmail account.
2. Go to Google Contacts.
3. Click Export > Choose Google CSV > Download file.
4. Sign in to your new Gmail account.
5. Go to Google Contacts > Import > Select the downloaded file.

What Happens After the Transfer?

✅ Emails Appear in New Inbox

Your old emails will show up in your new Gmail account with the label you selected (e.g., “Old Gmail”).

✅ Continuous Import for 30 Days

Gmail will automatically check the old account for new messages for 30 days. After that, you’ll need to set up forwarding or repeat the process.

✅ Attachments and Formatting Are Preserved

Gmail imports emails with attachments, threads, and formatting intact.

How to Forward New Emails Automatically from Old Gmail

If you want to keep your old account but receive new emails in your new Gmail automatically:

Set Up Forwarding:

1. Sign in to your old Gmail account.
2. Go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP.
3. Click Add a forwarding address.
4. Enter your new Gmail email address.
5. Confirm the verification email.
6. Choose to forward:
   • All incoming mail
   • Or only specific filters (using Gmail filters)

🛡️ Don’t forget to secure your old Gmail account with a strong password and 2-Step Verification to prevent unauthorized access.

Best Practices for Gmail Email Transfer

• Backup first: Always download a copy of your emails using Google Takeout before making changes.
• Label imported mail: Helps you identify transferred emails easily.
• Double-check accounts: Ensure both accounts are properly authenticated and accessible.
• Watch storage limits: Gmail offers 15GB of free storage — check how much space your new account has before importing.
• Use App Passwords for 2FA: If your old Gmail has 2-step verification enabled, create an app password for POP access.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I transfer emails from Gmail to another Gmail without downloading them?

Yes. Use the Mail Fetcher (POP3) method to transfer directly without downloading files.

Will the emails be deleted from the old Gmail account?

No. You can choose to keep a copy in the old Gmail inbox during the transfer process.

Can I transfer only selected emails or folders?

With POP3, it fetches all emails. If you want to transfer specific folders or labels, consider using Google Takeout.

How long does the transfer take?

It depends on the volume of your emails. It may take from a few minutes to several days.

Can I move emails from Gmail to Google Workspace?

Yes, both Mail Fetcher and Takeout work for Google Workspace accounts.

Final Thoughts

Switching Gmail accounts doesn’t mean you have to leave your old emails behind. Whether you’re rebranding your digital identity or simply organizing your communications better, this guide helps you seamlessly transfer emails from one Gmail account to another.

For most users, the POP3 method is simple, efficient, and doesn’t require any third-party tools. If you’re technically inclined or managing large amounts of data, Google Takeout provides more control.

By following the steps above, you can make sure all your valuable messages and attachments move with you — securely and efficiently.