How to Export Emails from Thunderbird to Gmail Account?

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Published By Jamie Kaler
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On November 21st, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Summary – If you’re currently using Thunderbird to manage your emails and want to connect to Gmail, then this article is especially for you. In this technical write-up, we will discuss how to export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail including attachments and complete data. So, without any more delay, let’s start with the write-up.

Gmail, one of the world’s most widely used email platforms, has become the preferred choice for millions due to its user-friendly interface, robust features, and ample storage of 15 GB for free accounts. Many people now prefer Gmail over traditional email clients like Thunderbird due to its convenience.

Therefore, many Thunderbird users want to migrate emails from Thunderbird to Gmail with complete data. Thus, in this technical write-up, we will discuss how to export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail including address book and data integrity. But before we start the article, let’s understand this case with the help of a real-time user query.

User Query: Hi, I’m Paul. I’ve been using the Thunderbird email client to manage my Gmail account with a POP3 configuration, which downloads all my messages to my computer. Recently, my configured account was hacked, but I have a backup of all my Thunderbird emails. Now, I’m looking for a way to upload these emails back to Gmail while keeping the original folder structure and labels intact. Do you have any suggestions for a tool or method to migrate Thunderbird emails to Gmail?

Why Do Users Want to Import Thunderbird Emails to Gmail?

There are numerous causes available that motivate users to export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail. Below, we have listed some of the main and common causes:

  • Gmail offers features like large cloud storage, advanced search capabilities, and universal access anytime, anywhere, which are not available in Thunderbird.
  • Gmail allows for easy synchronization across multiple devices, including Android phones and tablets, making it convenient to access emails on the go.
  • As a popular suite of productivity tools, Gmail integrates well with other Google services like Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts, making it an appealing option for users who rely on these services.
  • Gmail’s web-based interface and mobile apps provide a more streamlined and user-friendly experience compared to Thunderbird’s desktop client.
  • Migrating emails to Gmail allows users to access their emails from anywhere, without relying on a local email client like Thunderbird.

How to Automatically Forward Email from Thunderbird to Gmail?

  • Step 1: Install and run the solution.
  • Step 2: Add your data files and folders.
  • Step 3: All the folders appear on the screen.
  • Step 4: Choose “Gmail” as your saving type.
  • Step 5: Apply some filters for specific data.
  • Step 6: Put the account credentials of Gmail.
  • Step 7: Lastly, hit the “Backup” button for the process.

For depth details about these steps, you can check out the professional solution directly.

How to Export Thunderbird to Gmail with Emails & Address Book?

Here we will explain two methods for emails and contacts separately. Thunderbird allows users to connect IMAP-based email services like Gmail. So, firstly we will import emails through this method. After that, we will move the address book by exporting and importing methods. Both methods are given below with complete steps:

#1: Connect Thunderbird to Gmail

Important Note: Move all your Thunderbird emails into one folder and also create an empty folder in Gmail.

  1. Launch your Thunderbird.
  2. Click the “ALT” key then the “Tools” option.
  3. Hit on the “Account Settings” icon.

    account settings

  4. Hit the “Account Action” tab.
  5. A list will appear and choose “Add Mail Account”.

    account actions

  6. Provide these details of your Gmail account.
    • Your Name
    • Gmail Email Address
    • Password

    details of your Gmail

  7. Click on the “Continue” button.
  8. After that, add server details like port no.

    server details

  9. Lastly, hit on the “Finish” button to export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail.

    export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail

After successfully configuration, now click right on the needed folder (which contains your emails to import) and choose Move To folder. A list will show and choose the connected Gmail profile’s new folder.

Wait for a moment, and your all emails will be migrated to the Gmail account successfully.

#2: Export Thunderbird Address Book to Gmail

For importing Thunderbird address book, you have to follow two steps. firstly, export contacts in CSV format and then you can import them to Google contacts. For more details, follow the given steps:

Step 1: Export Contacts from Thunderbird

  1. Restart your Thunderbird.
  2. Go to “Address Book” from the “Tools” icon.

    account actions

  3. Select the needed book from the list.

    account actions

  4. Right-click on it and choose the “Export” icon.

    account actions

  5. Choose “Comma Separated” as the saving type.

    account actions

  6. Enter a name, select the path, and “Save” icon.

    account actions

  7. Your file will be saved at the selected path.

    account actions

Step 2: Import Exported File to Gmail

  1. Open your Google contacts.

    Google contacts

  2. Hit on the “Import” button.

    import

  3. Upload the exported file using “Select File”.

    select file

  4. Browse the exported file and select the file.
  5. Click on the “Import” icon.

    server details

Drawbacks of these Approaches

  • Thunderbird should be installed in proper working condition.
  • Multiple errors will appear while connecting the accounts.
  • You can only move emails and contacts separately, not other data like calendars, notes, tasks, etc.
  • This method will only receive new or upcoming emails, old data would not be moved.

What’s the Right Way to Export Emails from Thunderbird to Gmail?

If your Thunderbird is not working and still you want to migrate emails into Gmail account. or you to take the help of a professional solution, then you can go for the Turgs Thunderbird Converter Software. It is an all-in-one automated solution to import Thunderbird emails to Gmail including contacts, and calendars.

This is a trustworthy, reliable, and robust software. With the help of this software, you can easily export Thunderbird emails to Gmail in bulk with attachments.

Also, by using this utility you can transfer multiple emails without facing any issues. Additionally, this toolkit allows users to export their data selectively. Furthermore, this tool is completely capable of preserving and maintaining data integrity and email formatting during the migration process.

Download Now Purchase Now

How to Automatically Forward Email from Thunderbird to Gmail?

  1. Download and launch the automated software on your Windows-based system.

    export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail

  2. Select options between Convert Emails and Contacts & Calendars as per your requirements.

    emails and contacts

  3. The software loads all Mailboxes in the utility’s interface and selects the required folder to migrate Thunderbird to Gmail selectively.

    loads all Mailboxes

  4. Now, select the saving option as “Gmail” from the drop-down list.

    drop-down list

  5. Head to the “Filter” tab and enable some advanced filters according to your choice to export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail selectively.

    advanced filters

  6. After that, enter your Gmail account credentials in the software interface panel.

    Gmail account credentials

  7. Click on the “Convert” option and you can see the live importing process.

    live importing process

Read More: Best Thunderbird to PST Converter

Why Users Should Choose this Solution?

  • This software can forward emails from damaged Thunderbird profiles from the default storage location automatically.
  • Also, you can export emails and contacts by uploading single or multiple Thunderbird data files and folders.
  • Provide a Change Language option to map your desired folders into different languages including Dutch, French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Italy, and Finnish.
  • You can apply multiple desired filters according to your choice to export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail and address book selectively via Date Range, Header Details, and Subject.
  • This software maintains all the email and contact components like email header, body details, in contacts: name, email address, phone numbers, etc.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have discussed how to export emails from Thunderbird to Gmail with attachments and complete data. Here we have explained both manual and automated solutions to accomplish this migration process.

However, as we have seen their various drawbacks that come with the manual process, which is not good for the users. Thus, it’s a wise option to go with the professional solution to migrate emails from Thunderbird to Gmail. Additionally, the professional solution provides a free trial version of the utility for users to test and try the features of the software.