A one-time import can bring supported old mail and contacts into Gmail, but it is not a permanent synchronization service. Google’s current deprecation FAQ distinguishes this historical transfer from retiring third-party POP fetching. Plan future delivery separately.
Prepare the source and destination
- Confirm access to both accounts.
- Preserve required source data through an approved export or backup.
- Check the provider’s supported import and authentication method.
- List representative old messages and contacts to verify afterward.
Do not assume folders, labels, contact groups, and every historical message will transfer identically. A mailbox-wide migration needs a coverage check, not just a successful sign-in.
Use the current import workflow
On Gmail’s web interface, inspect Settings, See all settings, then Accounts and import for Import mail and contacts where available. Follow the current supported prompts for the source account.
Do not confuse that action with starting a new Check mail from other accounts connection. Older generic help pages can describe legacy continuous fetching or temporary forwarding. The explicit current FAQ describes supported import as one-time rather than continuous synchronization.
Verify the transfer and future route independently
Check old and recent sample messages, attachments, contact details, and any reported import exclusions. A different conversation-row count alone is not proof of missing data, so inspect individual messages.
Arrange approved source-provider forwarding or direct account access if you still need future mail. Test receiving, sending identity, and replies separately.
Do not disable verification or use obsolete less-secure-app instructions when authentication fails. Ask the provider or administrator for the supported route. Avoid repeatedly starting the same import, which can create confusing extra copies.
Keep the source account and verified archive available until coverage is confirmed. An import does not automatically update external websites that use the old address for sign-in or recovery. Do not cancel the source service solely because a progress screen says the job started.
Browse Gmail & Google Account help
References
- Learn about upcoming changes to Gmailify & POP in Gmail
- Add another email account on your computer
- How to download your Google data
Reviewed against the linked product guidance, standards, and identified vendor or public-authority guidance on October 29, 2026. Available options and screen labels can vary by account, device, region, and organization policy.