How to Import Gmail Emails to Outlook – Full Guide

Summary: Gmail and Outlook are two of the most popular email platforms. Gmail is known for its clean interface and seamless integration with Google services. At the same time, Outlook stands out for its advanced organization tools and offline access. If you’re someone who uses Gmail but prefers Outlook’s features, or just wants to create a backup of your emails, transferring your Gmail messages to Outlook can be a smart move. In this blog, we’ll show you how to backup Gmail to Outlook easily and safely. We will go through both manually and using the DRS Softech Gmail Backup Tool for a complete and reliable backup.

Top Reasons to Transfer Gmail Emails to Outlook

Let’s take a look at the top reasons why transferring your Gmail emails to Outlook can be a beneficial decision.

  • Outlook saves your emails on your computer, so you can read them even when you don’t have internet. Gmail needs the internet to work.
  • If you use Microsoft Word, Excel, or Teams, Outlook connects easily with them. It helps you work faster and more smoothly.
  • Outlook has more tools to help you sort, search, and organize your emails. Hence, Outlook makes it easy to find and manage your messages.
  • If something happens to your Gmail account, like losing access or emails being deleted, you’ll still have a copy saved in Outlook.
  • If you’re changing your email or moving to Outlook for work, you can bring all your old Gmail emails with you.

Now that you know the main reasons for importing Gmail emails to Outlook, let’s see how to do it step by step.

How to Import Emails From Gmail to Outlook?

There’s more than one way to Gmail convert to Outlook, and the best method depends on your needs and comfort level. Below are the two most common and effective ways to get the job done; both are safe, reliable, and easy to follow. Now, let’s explore both methods in detail.

Method 1: Export Emails from Gmail to Outlook by Manually

If you want to access Gmail emails in Outlook without using any software, you can do it manually. For this, you have to connect your Gmail account to Outlook using IMAP. Then, it allows Outlook to access and download all your Gmail messages directly. Follow the given steps to backup Gmail to Outlook: 

Step 01: Enable IMAP in Your Gmail Account

  • Open Gmail and click on the gear icon (Settings).
  • Click on “See all settings” from the dropdown list.
  • Go to the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab in settings.
  • Under IMAP access, choose the “Enable IMAP” option.
  • Scroll down and click “Save Changes” to apply settings.

Step 02: Add Gmail Account to Outlook App

  • Open Outlook and go to the File >> Add Account option.
  • Enter your Gmail email address and click on Connect.
  • Type your password (App password) and click Next.
  • Outlook will auto-detect settings and set up the account.
  • Go to File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export in Outlook.
  • Select “Export to a file” and click Next to continue.
  • Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) from the list shown.
  • Pick the Gmail folder to export and click Next again.
  • Set the location to save the file and click Finish to export.

Important Note: This manual method is free and effective to backup gmail to outlook. But it may take some time. Especially if you have a large number of emails to sync, you have to wait a long time to complete the backup process. 

Drawbacks Align with the Manual Backup 

While the manual method to backup Gmail to PST works, it comes with a few limitations that are important to know before starting:

  • Setting up and syncing emails can take a long time, especially for large mailboxes.
  • Involves multiple steps that may be confusing for non-technical users.
  • You cannot choose specific emails or folders to export; everything gets backed up.
  • Manual methods don’t offer scheduling or automatic backup options.
  • One wrong setting can interrupt the process or cause an incomplete backup.

If you want a quicker, easier, and safer way to import Gmail emails, using a professional tool could be a better option.

Method 2: Import Gmail Emails to Outlook – Direct Method

The DRS Softech Gmail Backup Tool is a powerful solution that overcomes the major drawbacks of the manual backup method. It is an easy, safe, and quick way to save Gmail emails as Outlook PST files. You don’t need to set up Outlook or know anything technical, so it’s perfect for both beginners and experts. You can choose which emails to back up by using filters like date or folder. Also, it keeps your folder structure and email details the same, so nothing gets lost or changed. If the PST file is too big, it can automatically split it into smaller parts. In short, this tool makes backing up Gmail to PST simple and much better than doing it manually. Here are the simple steps to follow:

Simple Steps to Export Gmail Emails to Outlook PST

  • Download and install the DRS Softech Gmail Backup Tool on your system.
  • Log in to the software with the correct credentials of your Gmail account.
  • Next, you can preview and choose the mailbox items you want to back up. 
  • From the given list of saving options, select PST as the output file format.
  • After that, choose the destination path where you want to save the PST file.
  • After additional settings, click on the Convert button to backup Gmail to PST.

Important Note: When you perform all these given steps, you will export email from Gmail to Outlook. Now, your Gmail data is safe and accessible in PST format. All you need is to import PST file into Outlook

Conclusion

This blog explained two easy ways to backup gmail to Outlook, one with manual steps and the other using the DRS Gmail Backup Tool. We shared both methods clearly so you can pick the one that fits your needs. If you’re okay with doing things manually and have a small amount of data, the manual method can work. But for an easier, faster, and more reliable experience, especially with large mailboxes, using a professional tool is the better choice. Go with the option that suits you best and follow the shared steps to complete your Gmail to Outlook transfer smoothly.

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.

© Copyrights 2018-2025 DRS Softech - All Rights Reserved.