Proven Solutions to Migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace

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Summary: Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client from Mozilla. It helps users to manage emails, newsgroups, RSS feeds, and calendars in one place. And, Google Workspace, formerly G Suite, is a cloud-based platform by Google. It combines tools to improve teamwork and productivity. Many tech users migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace for better compatibility and compliance. In this article, we describe various methods along with the Thunderbird Backup Tool that easily migrate all data with attachments.

Needs to Transfer Emails from Thunderbird to Google Workspace

Below are some of the reasons for migrating emails from Thunderbird to Google Workspace:

  1. It provides tools like Google Drive, Docs, and Meet, making team collaboration simple.
  2. Google Workspace gives you sufficient cloud storage, where you can access your emails from anywhere.
  3. Migration provides Google’s powerful security features to safeguard your emails and data.
  4. It enables you to view emails using any device that has an ongoing internet connection.
  5. Google Workspace includes automatic backups in case you lose emails.
  6. Emails and attachments can be easily searched using Google’s search ability.

Manual Methods for Thunderbird to Google Workspace Migration

Here are some manual procedures for transferring emails from Thunderbird to Google Workspace. Each process has different steps, depending on the user’s needs and preferences:

#1. Migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace Using IMAP

To export Thunderbird emails to Google Workspace via IMAP, you will be syncing your Thunderbird emails with your Google Workspace account. By configuring IMAP in Thunderbird and Gmail, you can simply transfer emails from your Thunderbird account to Google Workspace.

  1. First, download and install Mozilla Thunderbird on your system.
  2. After that, validate yourself with valid credentials.
  3. Next, click on the gear icon at the bottom-left to enter into Settings.
  4. Now, click on Account Settings in the settings option.
  5. Here, select the Server Settings options.
  6. Under the server settings, make sure IMAP is enabled.
  7. Next, go to the web browser and open Google Workspace.
  8. After that, sign in using the admin account credentials.
  9. After that, go to the settings and click on the See all settings option.
  10. Next, navigate to the Forward and POP/IMAP sections.
  11. Under this, click on enable IMAP access.
  12. Lastly, click the Save button to save the changes you made.
  13. Next, sync your Thunderbird account into your Google Workspace account.
  14. Wait for a moment to sync both accounts.
  15. After that, select the desired email that you want to migrate.
  16. Next, drag and drop all these emails into your Google Workspace account.
  17. In the end, do verify to reduce the chance of errors.

#2. Export Thunderbird Emails to G Suite using the Accounts and Import Option

To export Thunderbird emails to Google Workspace, you can use the Accounts and Import Option. This enables Gmail to fetch and import emails from your Thunderbird (IMAP-enabled) account. Follow the steps below to do this:

  1. First, go to the web browser and open Google Workspace.
  2. After that, sign in using the admin account credentials.
  3. After that, go to the settings and click on the See all settings option.
  4. Next, navigate to the Forward and POP/IMAP sections.
  5. Under this, click on enable IMAP access.
  6. Lastly, click the Save button to save the changes you made.
  7. Next, download and install Mozilla Thunderbird on your system.
  8. After that, validate yourself with valid credentials.
  9. Next, click on the gear icon at the bottom-left to enter into Settings.
  10. Now, click on Account Settings in the settings option.
  11. Here, select the Server Settings options.
  12. Under the server settings, make sure IMAP is enabled.
  13. Again, open a Google Workspace Gmail account on your system.
  14. Next, click on the settings option and select the See all settings options.
  15. Here, navigate to the Account and Import tab.
  16. In the Check mail from other accounts section, click Add a mail account.
  17. Now, enter your Thunderbird email address and click on the Next button.
  18. Then, validate your Thunderbird mail account POP settings:
    1. Username: Your Thunderbird email address
    2. Password: Your Thunderbird account password
    3. POP Server: pop.gmail.com
    4. Port: 995
    5. Enable Always use a secure connection (SSL).
  19. After that, click on the Add Account option to add the Thunderbird account to the Google account.
  20. After you complete the setup, Gmail will start importing emails from your Thunderbird account via POP3.
  21. Once the email import process is completed, verify it to eliminate any chance of error.

#3. Migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace Using Forward Option

You can also migrate your Thunderbird email to Google Workspace using the built-in Forward option. It is a basic method, but it needs to be done manually for each folder or email that you need to forward. Below is the step-by-step process:

  1. Download and open the Mozilla Thunderbird application on your system.
  2. Next, validate your account by using your Thunderbird credentials.
  3. In Thunderbird, navigate to the folder or individual emails you wish to forward to your Google Workspace account.
  4. After that, right-click and select the Forward and Redirect > Forward option.
  5. Here, type your Google Workspace email address in the To field.
  6. Next, click Send to forward the selected emails to your Google Workspace Gmail account.
  7. Once you have forwarded the emails from Thunderbird, verify your Google Workspace Gmail account. The forwarded emails will be in your Gmail inbox.

All of these approaches provide an option to import emails from Thunderbird to Google Workspace, based on your skills and preferences. If you’re okay with handling IMAP, that’s most likely the smoothest and easiest option. For beginners, leveraging specialized software may work. Be sure to check the migration at every step so that your emails are securely moved.

Limitations of Manual Methods

There are several limitations when you migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace. Although these approaches are available, they might not be that effective or thorough when it comes to large-scale email migrations. Listed below are the main limitations:

  • If you have a large collection of emails, this can take a significant amount of time.
  • Manual procedures such as forwarding or syncing through IMAP might not maintain your Thunderbird folder structure.
  • There is a chance of data loss when migrating, particularly if emails or attachments are not properly forwarded or synced.
  • There can be duplicate emails if the migration is halted or emails are synced more than once.
  • Manual processes lack significant control of the migration procedure.
  • This procedure does not permit bulk migration in large accounts involving numerous users.

Professional Tool for Thunderbird to Google Workspace Conversion

You can now easily migrate Thunderbird to a Google Workspace account using the Thunderbird Backup Tool. This tool allows users to export Thunderbird emails to MSG, PDF, PST, and many more. It also ensures that your data security is maintained, so you don’t have to worry about it. Additionally, this tool enables you to transfer all emails along with their attachments from Thunderbird to your Gmail account.

Prominent Feature of Thunderbird Backup Tool

  • Backup Thunderbird emails to PST, PDF, EML, DOC, MSG, CSV, HTML, and more formats.
  • This program assists in eliminating duplicate mail based on To, From, Bcc, Body, and Subject.
  • It also allows users to preview their Thunderbird mailbox items such as emails, contacts, calendars, etc.
  • Using this utility, selective backup can be done by specifying start and end dates with the help of the mail filter facility.
  • This utility assists in dividing the resultant PST file using the Split Resultant PST feature by MB and GB.

Simple Steps to Migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace

  1. First, download and install the Thunderbird Backup Tool on your system.
  2. After that, choose a source Thunderbird profile from your system.
  3. Next, preview the emails and data in a tree-like structure.
  4. Here, choose the file or data that you want to convert.
  5. Next, click on Email client hover and choose the G Suite option.
  6. Then, enter client ID, service account, and p12 file to login.
  7. Now, apply the desired feature to the output file.
  8. After that, provide the location on your local device to save an output file.
  9. In the last, click on the Save button.

Conclusion

After going through this blog, you can migrate Thunderbird to Google Workspace easily. We have discussed here several manual and professional ways. Manual ways are simple, but not for all, as there are some restrictions and limitations. So, just install the suggested software to import Thunderbird emails to Gmail. The software offers a free demo version, which proves to be useful for testing before one buys the full versions.

About The Author:

Suman Rawat is a technical content writer and expert in the fields of email migration, data recovery, and email backup. Her passion for helping people has led her to resolve many user queries related to data conversion and cloud backup.

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