How to Migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace (G Suite)?
Planning to switch from Thunderbird to G Suite but unaware of the right method? Then, you have landed on the right place. Here, you’ll explore two ways to migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace securely and effortlessly, including both manual and automated solutions. So, read the article to the end for seamless migration.
Thunderbird is a popular and reliable email client which is available in many operating systems like Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is a desktop email service that is free to use and provides add-ons for additional features. Users can save their emails in MBOX format and also import the same exported file into Thunderbird.
But, from the past few years, the demand for cloud-based email platforms has increased. So, programs like Google Workspace have become popular among individuals and businesses. Developed by Google, G Suite offers you Google products such as Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, etc., to help you improve productivity. That’s why many users are looking for Thunderbird to G Suite migration to enjoy these advantages.
Reasons to Transfer Thunderbird Emails to G Suite
Thunderbird is an independent and open-source email application, but it lacks some features which are now offered by modern email services. That is why users prefer to move Thunderbird to G Suite. Below are some of the main reasons:
- The idea to migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace helps users gain access to all Google tools such as Google Drive, Meet, Calendar, Sheet, Google Docs etc. These applications help teams to work together in real-time.
- G Suite provides enterprise-level security features including encryption, 2-step verification and more. This ensures that a user doesn’t need to worry about data loss as all emails will remain safe from unauthorized access.
- Thunderbird has a limited storage space as it stores entire data on the local computer. On the other hand, G Suite stores everything on a cloud, and gives you more storage space than Thunderbird.
- Thunderbird can only be accessed from the system where it is installed whereas Google Workspace makes it much easier to access your account from any device.
Therefore, moving data from Thunderbird to G Suite is a better way to keep your data secure. Now, without wasting time, let’s see how to migrate Thunderbird to G Suite.
Manual Method to Migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace
If you have the Thunderbird program installed, then you can directly move your data by configuring your G Suite account. Both Thunderbird and G Suite support the IMAP option. So, syncing them together can make it easier to move your Thunderbird data to Google Workspace.
Step1 – Save Thunderbird Emails in MBOX
- Open Thunderbird and install the ImportExportTools NG add-on from the official site.
- Now, select the mailbox or folders that you want to migrate.
- Then, right-click on the folder and choose ImportExportTools NG > Export folder.
- Save the files in MBOX format on your local system.
Step2- Add Google Workspace Account in Thunderbird
- Open Thunderbird again and navigate to Tools > Account Settings > Account Actions > Add Mail Account.
- After that, enter your G Suite email ID, password and username as asked.
- Click Continue and select the IMAP option. Thunderbird will automatically detect IMAP settings of G Suite.
- Complete the sign-in procedure. Once done, you’ll see your Google Workspace account in the Thunderbird client.
Step3- Import MBOX to Google Workspace
- In Thunderbird, go to Local folders. Right click and select ImportExportTools NG > Import mbox file.
- Next, browse and select the MBOX file that you exported before.
- The emails will now appear under the local folders. Simply drag and drop them into your Google Workspace account.
After the transfer, open your G Suite account in the browser and see if all Thunderbird emails are visible inside all the respective labels and folders.
Migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace with Professional Tool
In this section, we will recommend you to use the SysTools MBOX to G Suite Import Tool. It is a professional solution that makes the Thunderbird to G Suite migration process more easier. It is a great way to access your file as it preserves data integrity and folder hierarchy in the original form throughout the process. By using this, you can easily transfer files without installing any third-party tool. The tool comes with Windows OS compatibility. So, it is easy to download and install. Below are the Working Steps of the software.
Steps to Transfer Thunderbird Emails to G Suite
- Properly download and install the software.

- Click on the MBOX file from the source tab and G Suite from the destination.

- In the Source screen, browse the path where your exported MBOX file is located. Select it and hit the Validate to check the permissions.

- From destination, enter G Suite Admin Email, Service Account, and Certificate File. Also, validate your account.

- To add the users, you can choose Fetch users to automatically fetch the user account. Or manually import the user by downloading the Template, creating the CSV map file, and submitting it to the software.

- After that, validate your user account and click on the Start Import option.

Conclusion
If you want to migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace, then I have mentioned two simple methods in this guide that you can easily follow. These methods are direct and indirect both. With the help of IMAP, you can directly move your data but in this method, you may face configuration issues. The indirect method is best as it securely transfers your Thunderbird data to G Suite. If you have any query, related to software feel-free to contact our support team anytime.
Read Also: How to Add G Suite Emails to Gmail?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace (G Suite) directly?
No, Thunderbird does not offer a direct way to move Thunderbird to Google Workspace. You can either configure both accounts using IMAP or use the automated tool that we have discussed above for a faster and secure process.
Q2. How long does it take to transfer Thunderbird emails into Google Workspace?
The time duration depends on the mailbox size, internet speed and number of attachments as well. Manual methods can take hours but the above professional tool speeds up and provides results in a few minutes.
Q3. Can I migrate multiple Thunderbird profiles to G Suite at once?
Yes, with the help of the expert-trusted tool you can seamlessly migrate multiple Thunderbird profiles to G Suite in a single go, without losing any data. This will help in saving time and effort.