Migrate Email From Google Workspace to Gmail – Simplified

As we know, Gmail offers a wide array of features for free that make it a powerful tool for everyday users. On the other hand, Google Workspace is a subscription-based service. Thus, Gmail is perfect for individuals or small-scale users who want easy access to Google services without the added complexity or cost associated with Google Workspace.

So, many people look for simple ways to migrate email from Google Workspace to Gmail. When you migrate your emails to Gmail, you can utilize its easy design, strong security, and smooth connection with other Google services like Drive, Calendar, and Meet. In this blog, we will explain the different methods, including the DRS Google Workspace Backup Tool, to make your migration easy and ensure that none of your important emails or data are lost along the way.

Why Do We Need to Migrate from Google Workspace to Gmail

There are several reasons why someone might want to migrate their email from Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) to a personal Gmail account:

1. Gmail is free, while Google Workspace requires a subscription.
2. Gmail focuses on simplicity and ease of use, without the added complex features found in Google Workspace. 
3. Gmail is designed for personal use, while Google Workspace is customized for businesses.
4. If you don’t require a custom email domain, using a regular Gmail address is sufficient for personal or casual use.
5. With Gmail, you still have access to important Google services like Drive, Calendar, and Meet without needing a Workspace subscription.

Now, you know that migrating from Google Workspace to Gmail can save you money, and make your email experience easier. Also, it gives you the basic features you need without the extra complexity. Let’s move to the method to move from Google Workspace to Gmail.

How to migrate email from Google Workspace to Gmail

In the upcoming section, we will describe manual and reliable solutions to perform Google Workspace to Gmail migration one by one separately. Proceed further and pick any of the given methods according to your needs and technical expertise. 

#Method 01: Use Google Takeout to Migrate Google Workspace to Gmail

Migrating from Google Workspace to Gmail using Google Takeout involves several steps. Google Takeout allows you to export your data from Google services, which you can then import into your Gmail account. Go through the different stages one by one individually:

#Step 01: Export Google Workspace emails using Google Takeout

• You should open your preferred Web browser and Visit Google Takeout.
• Click on “Deselect all” to choose only the data you want and pick the Mail option.
• After that, scroll to the bottom and click on the Next step.
• Next, choose the delivery method (e.g., email download link).
• Select the file type (typically, .zip) and size (2GB is a common choice).
• Click on Create Export. It may take some time according to the amount of data.
• Once the export is complete, you will receive a download link. 
• Now, download the exported files to your computer.

#Step 02: Set Up Your Gmail Account in  Thunderbird

• Now, Open Thunderbird and pick the Tools option.
• In the next steps, click on Account Settings >> Account Actions.
• After that, select Add Mail account and perform the login process of Gmail.
• When you enter the name, Gmail address, and password, hit the Continue button.
• Thunderbird will attempt to automatically configure the settings of IMAP.
• Subsequently, click on Done to save the configuration.

By following these steps, your Gmail account will be fully configured in Thunderbird. Now, move next.

#Step 03: Import the unzipped MBOX file into Thunderbird

• Open Thunderbird and click the menu icon in the top-right corner.
• Subsequently, select add-ons and Themes.
• In the search bar, type ImportExportTools NG.
• Click on the add-on and select Add to Thunderbird.
• Right-click on your account in the left pane and select Local Folder.
• Later, select ImportExportTools NG >> Import MBOX file.
• From the next drop-down, pick the Individual MBOX File.
• Navigate to the location where you downloaded the MBOX file from Google Takeout and select the file>> Open.

Thunderbird will import the emails into the selected folder. Once the import is complete, the emails from the MBOX file should appear in the folder you selected. 

#Step 04: Drag and Drop MBOX from local folders to the Configured Gmail Account

Once the MBOX emails appear under the Local Folders of Thunderbird, you can drag and drop the emails from the local folder to your Gmail folder. You can verify by logging into Gmail in your browser and checking that the transferred emails appear in the desired folders. 

Cons:

• If you have multiple MBOX files, repeat the process for each file.
• Google Takeout is useful for personal use or small-scale migrations.
• Requires multiple steps, including exporting, downloading, and importing,

Know More: Import Google Takeout to a New Account

#Method 02: Use Gmail to Migrate from Google Workspace to Gmail

Gmail has a built-in import feature that allows users to transfer emails from Google Workspace accounts. Follow the given steps to migrate email from Google Workspace to Gmail: 

• First of all, open the Web Browser and log in to your Gmail account.
• Click the gear icon for Settings in the top-right corner and select See all settings.
• After that, navigate to the Accounts and Import tab.
• Under Import Mail and Contacts, click Import Mail and Contacts.
• A new window will pop up. Enter your Google Workspace email address >> Continue.
• With the Google Workspace email address also enter the username, password, etc.
• Next, click on the Continue Button to successfully log in to your Google Workspace account. 
• Once permission is granted, select what you want to import: emails, contacts, or both.
• Subsequently, tap on the Start Import >> OK to move Google Workspace to Gmail. 

Depending on the volume of your emails, this process can take from a few minutes to several hours. Gmail will notify you when the import process is complete.

Cons: 

• Does not allow continuous syncing—it’s a one-time transfer.
• Gmail labels may not transfer exactly as they are in Google Workspace.
• Minimal options for filtering specific data to export or import.

#Method 03: Reliable Solution to Move from Google Workspace to Gmail

The DRS Google Workspace Backup Tool is a simple and verified solution to migrate email from Google Workspace to Gmail. It can migrate various types of data, including emails, calendars, contacts, and documents from Google Workspace to Gmail. Users can apply advanced filters to migrate only the data they need, such as specific date ranges, or remove duplicate items. During migration, the tool preserves the folder structure from Google Workspace. With the simple user interface, it is easily accessible for both technical and non-technical users​. Also, it is widely compatible with Windows and mac both os. 

Simple Steps to Migrate Email from Google Workspace to Gmail

• First of all, install and run the DRS Google Workspace Backup Tool on your PC.
• Next, choose “Migrate Google Workspace emails only,” then click Continue.
• Click Browse CSV file to add login details using the provided CSV format.
• Afterwards, upload the CSV file with the stored Google Workspace credentials, then click Next to sign in.
• Now, select the email client, and click Continue to migrate emails from Google Workspace to Gmail.
• Select Gmail as the destination email client from the drop-down list.
• Enter the necessary Gmail credentials to proceed with the migration.
• You can also explore the advanced features based on your requirements.
• Finally, click the Convert button to migrate Google Workspace emails to Gmail.

Conclusion

This complete blog will help you to migrate email from Google Workspace to Gmail as we discussed different methods in the above section. The manual migration involves exporting emails from Google Workspace using Google Takeout and then importing them into Gmail. It is time-consuming, especially for larger organizations, so using the given software is recommended for a more efficient migration. This tool allows bulk data migration and provides a user-friendly interface. The demo version of the tool allows users to migrate up to 50 Google Workspace emails per folder for free. Users can depend on both manual methods and automated tools to ensure a smooth transition of their email data.