How do I transfer my Optimum email to Gmail? Many users ask this question, and the answer is that, natively, there is no single-click option to move your Optimum mailbox to Gmail. But with the help of a third-party client like Thunderbird, forwarding, or professional software, you can easily migrate your emails. In this blog, I will explain the steps of these methods and tell you how to securely move your data.
Many are in doubt whether Optonline email is down or if Optimum is changing its email platform. No, Optimum webmail is still active, but it is now running as a legacy email service. So, no new email address is being invited, and its old @optonline.net server email address now use the @optimum.net infrastructure. These changes create a lot of problems in their Optimum account. That’s why some are moving to the Gmail platform to continue their work without any interference.
Why do People Want to Transfer Optimum Email to Gmail?
This is one of the main reasons. There are several other factors that causes users to shift from Optonline to Gmail.
- The Optimum paid account is capped at 5 GB of storage. On the other hand, Gmail gives 15 GB in its free tier.
- Optimum permanently deletes your account and all its contents if your account stays dormant for 90 days. Google gives a 2-year grace period to its inactive user accounts.
- Despite having spam filters, many people report a massive increase in junk mail while using Optimum. Gmail, in comparison, has a state-of-the-art spam filter.
Although Optimum hasn’t made any official announcements regarding the withdrawal of maintenance for currently active email accounts, its behavior suggests that it may soon disable all email accounts or at least announce an expiry date. Many users have reported significant problems in getting their questions resolved and support requests answered. For this, you need to transfer your mailbox, but before this, you must check these points.
Preparations Before Optimum to Gmail Transition
- Migration is a difficult job, especially when you are moving from a legacy account. So, to keep your data safe throughout the process. Backup your Optimum emails first.
- Check that your Gmail account has enough storage space to store thousands of emails from your Optimum account.
- Create an app password rather than using a regular password during the configuration. This is to protect your account from unauthorized user. For this, you must also enable Two-Step Authentication.
- You must have a proper internet connection so that there will be no issues during the migration.
Properly follow these steps, and then you can start the method.
Forward Optimum Emails to Gmail
Unfortunately, Gmail does not have a native option to import an external email account to Gmail, especially for the IMAP protocol. Therefore, you have to manually move them using the Forward button.
- Log in to your Optimum webmail and go to the primary inbox.
- Choose the email that you want to move and open the message.
- Click the Forward button and add your Gmail email address.
- Then, hit the Send button.
This method will take a lot of effort and time, as you are forwarding emails by hand one by one. Hence, some do not prefer this method.
Use Email Client to Transfer Optimum Email to Gmail
There are several email clients like Thunderbird that can support IMAP and will act as intermediaries to move your mailbox. Thunderbird would be good for this. But you can also use other clients.
- Run the client and go to the Menu section (three horizontal bars).
- Click New Account and then the Email option.
- Add your full name and provide your Optimum email address.
- Provide your password, then click Continue. It automatically detects your IMAP server.
- From the same steps, add your Gmail account.
- Once you are configured for both accounts, move the emails from the Optonline folder to the Gmail folder by dragging and dropping.
This method also does not properly transfer your folders. So, there is no single manual method that can easily migrate the Optimum mailbox to Gmail. As they can’t directly transfer their emails, you need additional help to do that. However, the next option is perfect for this procedure.
Transfer Optimum Email to Gmail with Professional Software
The SysTools IMAP Migration Software, available for both Windows and Mac, reduces the complex, multipart email transfer into a smooth, error-free experience. This tool uses a GUI-only, zero-script approach to inter-account email transfer and comes with a built-in date filter. So, you are in control of what data from when gets sent where. It offers a date filter for specific migrations if needed. Here is the set of steps anyone can follow to transfer an Optimum email to a Gmail account via this tool.
A Video Tutorial to Transfer Optimum Email to Gmail
Instructions of Software
- Download a copy, activate it, go over to the workload section, mark “Emails,” apply the date filter, and press “Next.”
- Use the source section to validate the IMAP record of the Optimum server.
- Do a similar IMAP server validation for the destination Gmail server.
- Click on “Download template.” You will receive a CSV file. Put in the source and destination credentials, and upload it back into the tool via the “Import” button.
- Finally, preview the user screen, adjust the details if you want, prioritize a few accounts over others, and click “Validate & Migrate.”
Conclusion
Anyone can transfer Optimum email to Gmail using the IMAP protocol. Although you can manually forward your emails, use an email client to migrate your mailbox. Professional software is a great option to move your emails. Also, make sure you check the preparations before following the steps. Many users have questions regarding Optonline webmail and migration. I have answered some of them to clear your queries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Will I get to keep my Optimum mail after switching providers?
No, unlike many other internet service providers, Optimum has no email-only plan and deletes your email address + data shortly after. So, when you decide to change your provider, you must switch over to an email service like Gmail to continue receiving messages via email.
Q. Do I still get an Optimum email address if I buy their service?
No, Optimum email (formerly known as Optonline webmail) stopped providing new email addresses for both new and existing customers on May 4, 2021. However, if you had been allocated an email address before that, it still works.
Q. Why is Gmail better than Optimum Mail?
Any email metric you consider- storage, speed, spam filter- Gmail outclasses Optimum Mail. Plus, with a Gmail account, you become part of the Google Workspace that has many more features and functions for you to use that are not there in Optonline mail.
Q. I want to move my entire family’s Optimum mail accounts to Gmail. Is there a shortcut?
Yes, all you have to do is use the automated utility we have described in this post. It can quickly transfer multiple Optimum accounts to Gmail, which otherwise would have taken a lot of time and effort.