Gmail forwarding and read methods move your messages without losing them

You can move emails from one Gmail account to another in three ways: set up automatic forwarding to send new messages to your new account, read all your emails and import them into the new account, or use Gmail's built-in migration tool if you're switching from another email provider. Each method works differently depending on whether you want to keep the original account active, move only new mail, or transfer everything at once.

The method you choose depends on your situation. If you're keeping both accounts and just want new messages to go to one place, forwarding is fastest. If you're closing the old account and need everything in the new one, downloading and importing preserves your full email history. If you're moving from a different email service entirely (like Outlook or Yahoo), Gmail's import tool handles the transfer automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Automatic forwarding sends all new incoming mail to your new Gmail account but does not move messages already in the old account.
  • Downloading your emails as a backup file and importing them into the new account transfers your entire message history, including old emails.
  • Gmail's built-in import tool works only when moving from another email provider to Gmail, not between two Gmail accounts.
  • Forwarding and importing can run at the same time, so you can move old emails while new ones automatically go to the new account.

Setting up automatic forwarding for new emails

Automatic forwarding sends every new email that arrives at your old Gmail account directly to your new one. To set it up, sign into the Gmail account you're forwarding from, click the gear icon in the top right, and select See all settings. Go to the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.

Click Add a forwarding address and enter your new Gmail address. Gmail will send a confirmation email to the new account — you must open that email and click the confirmation link within 24 hours, or the forwarding will not set up. After you confirm, return to settings, select your new address from the dropdown, and choose whether to keep a copy of forwarded emails in the original account or delete them after forwarding. Click Save Changes.

From that point forward, every new message arrives at both accounts (or just the new one, depending on your choice). Forwarding does not move emails that were already in the old account before you set it up — only new incoming mail. If you need those older messages, you must read and import them separately.

Downloading and importing your entire email history

To move all your emails at once — including messages from years ago — you read them from the old account and import them into the new one. This method works between any two Gmail accounts and preserves your full message history, labels, and folder structure.

Start by signing into the Gmail account you want to read from. Go to Google Takeout (takeout.google.com), which is Google's tool for downloading your data. Click Deselect all, then scroll down and check only the Mail checkbox. Click Next step, choose your file format (MBOX is standard for Gmail), select how often you want the read (one-time is normal), and click Create export. Google will prepare your file — this can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on how many emails you have. You'll receive an email with a read link when it's ready.

read the file to your computer. Then sign into your new Gmail account, go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, and enable IMAP (this lets you import emails). Next, use a tool like Gmail Backup or Thunderbird (both free) to import the MBOX file into your new account. These tools connect to your Gmail account and upload the downloaded emails. Follow the tool's instructions to select your MBOX file and start the import. The process can take several hours if you have thousands of emails.

Using Gmail's import tool when switching from another email provider

If you're moving from Outlook, Yahoo Mail, AOL, or another email service to Gmail, you can use Gmail's built-in import feature. This tool does not work between two Gmail accounts — only when Gmail is your destination.

Sign into your new Gmail account and go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Import mail and contacts. Enter your old email address and click Continue. Gmail will ask for your password to that account and whether you want to import emails, contacts, or both. Select what you need, choose which Gmail label to put imported emails into, and click Start import. Gmail connects to your old email provider, downloads your messages, and adds them to your new account. This usually takes a few hours but can take longer for large mailboxes.

Combining forwarding and import for a smooth transition

The best approach when switching accounts is to run forwarding and import at the same time. Set up forwarding first so that new emails start going to your new account when ready. Then read and import your old emails while forwarding is active. This way, you capture everything: old messages get imported, and new ones arrive automatically.

Once the import is complete and you've verified that all your emails are in the new account, you can turn off forwarding and close the old account if you want. However, many people keep forwarding on for several months as a safety net in case someone sends mail to the old address. You can disable forwarding anytime by going back to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP and clicking Disable forwarding.

What happens to labels, folders, and email organization

Gmail's label system (which works like folders) transfers when you read and import emails. Any custom labels you created in the old account will appear in the new one with the same name and organization. However, forwarding does not transfer labels — forwarded emails arrive in your new account's inbox without the labels they had in the old account.

If your email organization matters to you, importing is better than forwarding alone because it preserves your label structure. If you use only the inbox and a few standard folders, forwarding is simpler and faster. You can always manually organize forwarded emails after they arrive if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I forward emails from Gmail to a non-Gmail account?

Yes. In Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, you can enter any email address, not just a Gmail one. You'll still need to confirm the forwarding address by clicking a link in a confirmation email sent to that account.

What if I forget to confirm the forwarding address within 24 hours?

The forwarding will not set up. Go back to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, click Add a forwarding address again, and re-enter the address. Gmail will send a new confirmation email.

Does importing emails use up my Gmail storage?

Yes. Imported emails count toward your Gmail storage limit, just like any other emails in your account. If you're near your storage limit, you may need to delete old emails or buy more storage before importing a large mailbox.

Can I move emails from Gmail to a different email provider?

Gmail does not have a built-in export tool for other providers, but you can read your emails as an MBOX file through Google Takeout and then import that file into most other email services (Outlook, Yahoo, and others all accept MBOX files). Check your new provider's help documentation for import instructions.

Will forwarding work if I change my password?

Yes. Forwarding continues to work even after you change your password. The forwarding setting is separate from your password and does not need to be reset.