How to Import Gmail Emails to Thunderbird Account Directly? Complete Solution

Do you want to import Gmail emails to Thunderbird? If yes, then you have come to the right article. Here you will get not one but three such solutions, with the help of which you will complete this task very easily. As we all know Gmail is a web-based email client, so you do not get any direct solution to export Gmail to Thunderbird.

But we did a lot of research and today we have brought the solution to this query. If you follow whatever solution we tell you in this article without skipping any step, then we claim that you can import Gmail to Thunderbird without any problem.

Regarding this query, our support team received queries from many users who had their reasons related to this query. Due to this, he was searching for its solution but he was not able to find any solution with the help of which he could import his data without losing his data. That’s why we have come up with a simple solution to import Gmail emails to Thunderbird, with the help of which you can migrate your data without any help. Let’s start the article now

Why Do Users Need to Import Gmail to Thunderbird?

• Use Thunderbird to access Gmail even without the internet.
• Keep your emails on your computer for added security.
• Manage all email accounts (including Gmail) in Thunderbird.
• Tailor Thunderbird’s interface with add-ons.
• Utilize functionalities potentially not available in Gmail’s web interface.
• Some users prefer storing emails outside cloud-based services.
• Thunderbird provides a local backup of your Gmail messages.
• Users comfortable with desktop email clients might prefer Thunderbird.

Best 3 Methods to Import Gmail Emails to Thunderbird

In this article, we will mention 3 methods to migrate Gmail to Thunderbird, among which you will be able to find your solution as per your need. The first method is manual in which you will be able to import your complete data but in this, you do not get any option to select a specific folder and this method is very time-consuming if the size of your data is very large.

The second method is also manual, in this we will export the complete Gmail account to Thunderbird, but in this method, the chances of data loss are very high. If you are looking for the best and secure method then you can move towards the third solution. In this method, you can import Gmail emails to Thunderbird very easily and without wasting time and data. Now let us know the process of all three methods one by one.

Method 1: Use Google Takeout to Export Gmail to Thunderbird

We have divided this method into two phases, in the first phase we will export the data with the help of the Takeout service, and after that, we will import the exported data in Thunderbird with the help of the ImportExportTool NG addon.

Phase 1: Data Export from Gmail by Takeout Service

1. Firstly, open the Gmail account on your browser.
2. Now, click the profile icon on the right corner.
3. After that, select the Manage your Google Account option.
   
4. Now, choose the Data and Privacy option on the left side.
5. Thereafter, scroll down and select the Download your Data option.
   
6. Now, the Google Takeout Service page will be opened on your screen, click the Deselect checkbox.
7. Scroll down and tap the checkbox of the Mail option, then click the Next Step option.
   
8. Now, select the Destination of the exported file, the Frequency of Gmail data, the File formats of the exported file, and the last file size and then tap the Create Export option.
   
9. Finally, you can see the progress of your Thunderbird download emails from Gmail.

Note: When you finally get the file, right-click on that file and extract that file. After extraction follow the steps given below. But before following the steps, you will have to add an addon to your Thunderbird email client named ImportExportTools NG addon. You can continue with the steps given below only after adding this addon. If you have already added this addon, then directly follow the steps given below.

Phase 2: Import the Extracted File in Thunderbird by ImportExportTool NG

1. Firstly, Open the Thunderbird email client on your system.
2. Now, Create a New folder on your Thunderbird mailbox.
3. After that, right-click on your new folder and then select the ImportExportTool NG option.
4. Now, choose Import MBOX File, then tap All MBOX File from the Directory option.
5. Now, browse the exported file’s folder and then tap the Select Folder option.
6. Finally, you can check your Gmail emails in Thunderbird, after progress is completed.

Method 2: Migrate Gmail to Thunderbird by Configuration

In this method, you will have to go through two phases first you will have to connect your account to Thunderbird and after that in the second phase, you can move your Gmail data to your Thunderbird account.

We have mentioned the complete steps to connect the account to Thunderbird in a separate article. If you want to go ahead with this method, then first go to our second article to know the complete process of account setup and then follow the steps given below. Link to account setup article mentioned here: Configure Gmail Account in Thunderbird

Import Gmail Emails to Thunderbird Accounts

1. Open the Thunderbird Application on your system.
2. Now, tap the Gmail mailbox folder in which you want to move in Thunderbird.
3. After that, select all emails by clicking CTRL + A on your keyboard.
4. Now, right-click on your selected emails tap the Move To and then select the folder.
   

Note: If you have multiple folders in your Gmail mailbox and you want to import them all into Thunderbird, you will have to repeat these steps as many times as there are folders in your mailbox. If you want a direct solution in which you can import Gmail emails to Thunderbird by selecting the folder as per your wish, then you should move towards the third solution.

Method 3: Use an Automatic Tool to Import Gmail to Thunderbird

If you do not want to get stuck in the lengthy process of these manual methods and you are looking for a secure direct solution, then you can go ahead with this method. In this method, we will import Gmail emails to Thunderbird using an automatic tool, after which you will complete this task very securely without the worry of losing data. The name of the tool we will use in this method today is RecoveryTools Gmail Backup Software.

Any non-technical user can use this tool as easily as a technical user can use a technical tool because the graphical user interface of this software is very easy to use. This tool comes with a demo version to make it easier for any user to understand and test the software before purchasing the tool, in which any user can directly transfer up to 25 emails from Gmail to Thunderbird. Let us now know the process of using this software.

Guide How to Use Automatic Software With Complete Screenshots

1. Download, install and run the software on your Windows or Mac system.
   
2. Now, enter the Gmail email address and App Password and then tap the Login button.
   
3. After that, select the folder which you want to transfer and then tap Next.
   
4. Now, Choose the Thunderbird option as the Saving option lists.
   
5. Now, the software will auto-select the default profile path of Thunderbird, if you want to change then click the Change button.
   
6. Finally, tap the Backup button to start the Gmail to Thunderbird importing process.
   

Know the Key Benefits of Professional Software Before Purchasing

• The Gmail to Thunderbird Importer Software is intended to make import Gmail emails to Thunderbird simple. Even individuals with low technological skills can use the application to smoothly move their emails.
• The tool transfers all of your Gmail data, including emails, attachments, folders, labels, and contacts. This ensures that no critical information is left behind throughout the migrating procedure.
• The software meticulously preserves the original formatting of your emails during the transfer.
• This allows you to transfer only specific folders or emails based on your requirements.
• The software intelligently maintains the original folder structure from your Gmail account during the import process.
• RecoveryTools Gmail to Thunderbird Importer Software is designed for speed and efficiency. It can move vast amounts of emails rapidly and without mistakes.
• The software focuses on the safety and security of your information. It uses strong encryption technologies to secure your emails during the transfer process.
• If you have numerous Gmail accounts, the application allows you to convert all of your emails into a single Thunderbird profile.

FAQs to Import Gmail Emails to Thunderbird

Ques. Can I transfer my Gmail messages to Thunderbird?

Ans. Absolutely! There are two main manual ways to achieve this and one direct way:

Using IMAP: This method keeps your email synced between Gmail and Thunderbird.
Manual export/import: This involves exporting your Gmail email as a file and then importing it into Thunderbird.
Professional Tool: In this, you can import the complete data or selected data of your multiple Gmail accounts into your Thunderbird profile simultaneously.

Ques. Which method is best for me?

Ans. If you want to know the opinion of experts as to which method they recommend, then their answer will be only one that you should use professional software only. Because with the help of automatic tools, you can import data directly without wasting time and the biggest benefit of this is that the chances of data loss are very low.

Ques. Is there anything I need to do before using professional software?

Ans. Yes! There are two key points here: First Enable IMAP in Gmail and second create an app password for your Gmail account. If you want to know the process of both these settings then click on the link. Gmail Settings for Messages Import

Ques. How much time will it take to import?

Ans. Import speed depends on the method and number of emails. Large inboxes may take longer with IMAP and manual import from a large mailbox file may also take time. If you use automatic tools, then no matter how big is the size of your mailbox, with the help of this software you will complete this task in a few minutes.

Ques. Will my folders and labels transfer as well?

Ans. If you use the automatic tool, your Gmail emails along with attachments, labels, and all folders will be imported into Thunderbird very easily.

Conclusion

In this article, we have mentioned three methods to import Gmail emails to Thunderbird, out of which you can use any method as per your need. All these three methods are very suitable but each method has its own different scenario behind using all the three methods, based on which you will select the method as per your wish. In this article, we have added all the information related to how to import Gmail to Thunderbird. Even after this, if you have any questions in your mind, then you can get help from our support team.