Users can easily transfer emails from iCloud to Gmail using tools like SysTools IMAP Migration. There are manual ways to migrate your mailbox. However, they either forward new incoming emails or use an email client like Apple Mail to connect iCloud to Gmail to move your messages. So, there is no direct manual option. In this blog, I am going to explain all the possible methods to migrate an iCloud mailbox to Gmail with proper steps to help you transfer your mailbox.

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Reasons to Choose Gmail Email Service Over iCloud

Before going to the methods, let us first understand the reasons why users are switching from iCloud to Gmail.

  • Gmail is a much better email client because of its simple GUI interface dashboard.
  • So, all the emails with attached files are properly stored on the cloud. That provides you with easy access to control or manage your Gmail account from anywhere.
  • It even allows all users to personalize and organize the Gmail inbox with themes and filters or just snooze the unimportant emails.
  • Furthermore, unlike iCloud, Gmail has Labels to organize the data with more flexibility.
  • Likewise, it even offers a SPAM folder option to filter out unwanted emails or junk emails from the mailbox. So, it makes the inbox clutter-free.
  • Gmail is integrated with other Google products like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, etc. So, using this, you can also work with other products too.
  • Some are moving from a Mac to a Windows system or leaving Apple services. Gmail is a great substitute for managing your emails.

Some are bored with using iCloud and want to use Gmail, or maybe they prefer Gmail more. Whatever your reasons for transferring your emails, there are simple ways that you can use.

Important Points to Remember For Email Transferring

There are some important steps that you must perform before you start moving your mailbox.

  • Enable IMAP server on both accounts (iCloud and Gmail). In the forwarding method, you don’t need it. But if you use a professional tool or email client. then it is necessary that your IMAP protocol is on.
  • Make sure 2 Factor Authentication is enabled. This is for the security of your account to prevent any unauthorize while the process.
  • When you are syncing your account, make sure you create an app password for your iCloud. So that you can securely access your data.
  • Ensure that Gmail has enough space to store your iCloud emails. Remove any unnecessary messages and duplicate emails. Clear out your trash folder so that you can save your migrated data.
  • This is one is crucial: backup your iCloud before you start the migration. Whichever method you choose, you must always take a backup beforehand to be safe in case of any issues in the future.
  • Always check your internet connection. An unstable network may interrupt your process and create syncing or configuration problems.

After following these points, you can now transfer emails from iCloud to Gmail. I am going to first discuss the manual methods and then the professional option.

DIY Method to Forward Mail from iCloud to Gmail

iCloud, like every other email service, does not allow multi-message forwarding (to prevent spam). You are left with no other choice but to manually forward all messages. Don’t worry, it isn’t that hard; just follow these steps.

  1. Click on any message in your iCloud Mail account.
  2. On the right-hand side viewing window, you will see all of the message content; there, you should also see a top ribbon with various options.
  3. There, click on the rightward-pointing arrow.
  4. A new message draft appears on your screen. Add the new Gmail account address in the To field and hit Send.
  5. You don’t have to manually repeat this process for upcoming emails; you can make the iCloud mailbox do the forwarding for you.

Set Auto Forwarding and Migrate iCloud Emails to Gmail

The above option is to manually forward your emails. It is not possible to immediately forward your iCloud emails to Gmail whenever you receive them. In that case, you can set auto forwarding. This only applies to your upcoming messages. This means this does not forward your existing emails. To set this, follow the steps below.

  1. In your iCloud Mail, tap on the Gear icon and select Settings.
  2. Choose Forwarding > Check the “Forward my email to” box.
  3. Add your Gmail address (you may also check “delete messages after forwarding” to save some space in your iCloud storage).
    To set up Rules:
  4. Choose Rules > Click on Add New Rule > Type a name for the rule.
  5. Under Message, select the condition when the rule will apply. Typically, people set it to trigger whenever a new message with the email ID appears in the To field. However, you can choose the one that fits you the best.
  6. Under Action, choose “Forward to an email address” and “Mark as read.”
  7. Type in your Gmail address in the field below it and press Add.

Limits of the Forwarding Approach and Why I Don’t Use It

  • If you try to move thousands upon thousands of messages that you have accumulated over the years via forwarding, it’s going to take a lot of time simply because you are limited to one message at a time.
  • Not to mention the hidden daily quotas that email services like iCloud have, preventing any mail from exiting your account until the countdown resets the next day.
  • Auto forwarding is helpful, but being limited to only upcoming messages means the vast majority of your data can’t be moved with it.

To transfer existing emails, you need to sync your iCloud and Gmail into any email client. Then, move your mailbox. This is the only manual option you have.

Use Email Clients to Move iCloud Email Data to a Gmail Account

First, generate iCloud and Gmail app passwords and then follow the steps below to transfer your current mailbox.

  1. Now open any desktop email client of your choice. Since you are already using iCloud, it’s highly likely that you have a Mac as well. In that case, you need not install any other client; your computer has a built-in option called Apple Mail.
  2. Open it and go to the Apple menu. Click on System Settings.
  3. Provide your name and select iCloud. If you didn’t see your name, you have to sign in and provide the Apple email address and password.
  4. Click the Mail option. Turn on the Sync button.
  5. Now, add your Gmail. Select Mail and press Add Account.
  6. Choose Google, then click the Continue button. Sign in to your Gmail account.
  7. Select Mail, then Done. Both iCloud and Gmail are now synced to the client.
  8. Now, you move your emails from the iCloud mailbox to Gmail by dragging and dropping them to the folder.
With this, you will have your emails. However, there is also a chance that your emails will not properly transfer to your account. Because you are using an email client to move your mailbox. Your messages will remain in the client even after syncing your account. Hence, manual methods cannot accurately migrate iCloud emails to a Gmail account. It is only achievable through professional software.

How to Transfer Emails from iCloud to Gmail Efficiently?

Although there are several software tools that can directly transfer your mailbox. However, SysTools software is a perfect choice. This tool precisely moves your emails without needing any additional email client. It focuses on email integrity and the security of user credentials. So, while the software transfers the emails from iCloud to Gmail, it also preserves the original messages and folder hierarchy. This tool is best for bulk migration, where you can easily move complete email accounts with minimal downtime. If you are curious how the software works, follow the steps below.

Steps of Professional Software

  1. First of all, download the software and run in Windows and Mac OS.
    download the software
  2. Select IMAP as the source and destination. You can apply Date Filter if you want to transfer specific emails.
    select imap and apply date filter
  3. Choose iCloud Mail from the source IMAP servers list. The tool automatically detects the server settings. Click the Validate button.
    choose iCloud Mail as source
  4. Select Gmail from the destination server list. Press the Validate button.
    choose gmail as destination
  5. Add source and destination IDs by importing the ID Map file. Then, click Start Migration.
    start migration

So, this is the direct option to move your account. Some users also want to move their iCloud Mail to G Suite. For this, you can use professional software like IMAP to G Suite to quickly migrate your mailbox.

Final Words

Transferring emails from iCloud to Gmail can be done manually. However, you can forward your upcoming emails and need an email client to sync your account. There is no native option where, in one click, you can move your emails. This is why professional software is useful for every user, where they can simply move their emails in just a few steps. But before you go through the process, you must first take precautionary steps that I have mentioned in this blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to keep 2FA on to transfer iCloud to Gmail?
Yes. Without 2FA, you won’t be able to make App-specific passwords, and no transfer can take place.

Q: How long will it take to move my entire iCloud email history to Gmail?
Depending on how many emails are in your account, the process can finish in minutes or drag on for hours. One thing is for sure: nothing is faster for multi-account transfer than the utility described in this post.

Q: What happens to the folder structure when I move emails from an @icloud.com ID to @gmail.com?
If you use the tool, then the entire folder structure gets replicated, and even the read/unread status remains as is. For the other methods, you will have to recreate the folders yourself.

Q: Can I move my email attachments, too?
Yes, every method described here moves the email content as well as the attachment together.

Q: Will moving emails to Gmail delete them from iCloud?
If you have selected any such options like the one in the Forwarding mail method, or don’t hold the Ctrl key while using the email client’s drag and drop, then emails vanish from the iCloud inbox. Otherwise, nothing happens to the original message.