How to Import Hotmail Message and Contacts into Gmail
Hotmail was a free email client service that begins its operations in the mid-90s. Currently, the tech giant Microsoft owns all the rights of Hotmail. It has over 300 million users, which later on got transited to Microsoft Outlook with the same credentials. Although Hotmail doesn’t exist any longer, its users are still available who want to import Hotmail contacts to Gmail.
Gmail is a brand that does not need any introduction. Nearly everyone has a Gmail account for their primary usage. So, it is obvious why transfer Hotmail to Gmail is the first choice for several Hotmail users.
But several users are either confused or unaware of how to import contacts from Hotmail to Gmail. To help them, I am going to present the method for the latter here. But before that, let us look at the reasons for doing the latter.
Why Import Hotmail Message and Contacts to Gmail
Everyone can have different reasons to import Hotmail contacts to Gmail along with emails, calendars, etc. Some of the topmost reasons are as follows:
- Create a backup of your Hotmail account
- Migrate his/her email account to Gmail
- To avoid using Outlook
- For better security and innovative user interface
Now, let us quickly move towards learning how to import contacts from Hotmail to Gmail.
Also Read: How to Import PST Data to Hotmail Using Outlook to Hotmail Connector
How to Import Hotmail to Gmail
As you know, the Microsoft Outlook platform is essential to access Hotmail accounts. So, first of all, we need to configure our Hotmail account into Outlook. Also, I would recommend you get your mail account cleaned to avoid importing useless messages and junk files. Once you finish clearing the deleted items and unwanted mails and junk files, you are ready to import Hotmail contacts to Gmail.
Now, proceed as follows:
- First, log in to the Gmail account where you want to import Hotmail contacts.
- Now, open the Settings page by clicking on the Gear icon >> See all settings at the top right of the page.

- After that, move to the Accounts and Import tab and select Import mail and contacts.

- Type in your Hotmail or Outlook account email id on the following window and click on Continue.

- After that, you will see a dialog box asking for permission to access your Hotmail account. Click on the Yes button and close the succeeding Authentication Successful message box.
- Select the import choice as per your requirement.
- Finally, click on the Start import button and then hit OK.
Now, you have successfully automated the process to import Hotmail contacts to Gmail. You can continue using Gmail and MS Outlook as importing process will not require your assistance anymore.
Alternat Method to Transfer Emails from Hotmail to Gmail
Alternate way to manually transfer Hotmail emails to Gmail involves using the Outlook desktop app.
- Firstly, open desktop email client (e.g., Outlook) on your screen.
- Add both Hotmail and Gmail accounts in the client using IMAP.
- Now, both Hotmail and Gmail accounts are synced in Outlook.
- Open Gmail account and create a new folder in your Gmail account.
- Then, expand your Hotmail account and pick the folder you want to migrate.
- Drag the selected emails and drop them into a folder under your Gmail account.
Outlook will now start uploading those emails to Gmail. It may take time, depending on the number of emails and your internet speed.
Although these method for importing contacts and messages from Hotmail to Gmail can solve your queries, this can be too much time-consuming. Also, it will require technical expertise. Hence, for carrying out the latter process swiftly, I would recommend using third-party utility software.
Best Utility to Transfer Hotmail to Gmail
To overcome the hurdles of the manual methods while importing, I would recommend you to use the experts suggested DRS Softech Hotmail Email Backup Tool, which is the best solution to solve all your queries related to Hotmail. With this tool, you can quickly create a backup of all your Hotmail data and then import that backup to Gmail, Yahoo, and other email clients. Some of the unique characteristics of the tool are as follows:
- First of all, you can create the backup in multiple formats such as PDF, MBOX, TXT, etc.
- Also, It allows you to pause and resume backup operations.
- Removes duplicates and allows mail filtering.
- Moreover, it can create a backup with the same folder hierarchy.
- Independent of operating system type.
- Easy to use UI.
Steps to Export Hotmail Emails to Gmail
- Download and install the DRS Softech Hotmail Backup Tool on your system.
- Enter your Hotmail email address and password to sign in your Hotmail account.
- Now, you can preview folders and select the ones you want to migrate.
- Mark the option of Migrate in Email Client and select Gmail from the list.
- After that, enter your Gmail login credentials to authorize the connection.
- Use smart filters to migrate only specific emails according to requirement.
- Click Download button to move Hotmail emails directly into your Gmail account.
Summing Up
Through this blog, we got to know about a brief history of Hotmail. Also, we learned the reasons and methods to import Hotmail contacts to Gmail by the manual process and the third-party utility software. I hope that this blog has helped you to import emails into Gmail and to solve all your queries in a technically sound manner.
About The Author:
Shivam is a digital marketer and technical content writer at DRS Solution®, specializing in topics like databases, email recovery, and migration solutions. She enjoys researching and crafting content that assists database administrators, businesses, and beginners in resolving various issues related to MS SQL, MySQL, and Microsoft Exchange.