How to Migrate Gmail to iCloud Account? Quick Solutions

Jamie Kaler ~ February 16, 2025 ~ 7 Minutes Reading

As the numbers of switching to the Apple ecosystem increased , due to the need to migrate Gmail to iCloud accounts also increased. Gmail is a widely used email service as it has 1.2 billion active users and it also offers advanced search, auto-categorization, large storage and advanced filters.

On the other hand, iCloud offers seamless synchronization with Apple devices, to ensure seamless experience with Mac, iPhone and iPad users. It allows users to manage all their emails within Apple’s ecosystem and also offers various amazing features such as enhanced privacy, ad-free storage, and deep integration with Apple Mail contacts, and calendar apps.

Justifications for Migrating Gmail to iCloud Account

  • iCloud is specially designed to work on all Apple devices including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Unlike Gmail, which may require other applications for full functionality, iCloud offers smooth and native email experience.
  • Apple Mail prioritizes user privacy, offering features like Mail Privacy Protection to prevent email tracking. Unlike Gmail, which scans emails for ad personalization, iCloud Mail offers a secure and private email platform.
  • With iCloud Mail, users can easily manage their emails, contacts and calendar in one Apple device. Due to this, they do not need to use multiple email services.
  • Apple Hide my Email features allows users to create temporary, randomized email addresses for privacy while still receiving emails in their main iCloud email address. This layer of protection is not found in Gmail.
  • With an iCloud+ subscription users get additional features such as custom email domains, increased storage, and advanced privacy protections. This makes iCloud Mail a prime choice for those looking for premium email experience.

Preparation Before Migration

  1. IMAP must be enabled by opening Gmail and clicking on Forwarding, POP, or IMAP and clicking on Enable IMAP.
  2. Ensure you have enough free storage in your iCloud account to accommodate all Gmail emails. If required, upgrade to an iCloud+ storage plan.
  3. Delete unnecessary emails and spam to reduce migration time.
  4. Archive important emails for better management.
  5. Create labels or folders for easy reference.
  6. Before migration, create a backup of your Gmail emails using Google Takeout to ensure you have a copy of your mailbox data.
  7. Enable Two-Step Authentication on iCloud by clicking on Settings, then tapping on Apple ID and Password or Security, and turning on Two-Factor Authentication.
  8. A strong and uninterrupted connection is required to avoid interruption while migrating Gmail emails to iCloud.

How to Migrate Emails from Gmail to iCloud Manually?

To migrate Gmail emails to iCloud manually you need to use an email client such as Apple Mail to transfer messages. Now, follow the instructions as we have explained below:

Part1. Add your Gmail Account into Apple Mail

  1. First, open the “Apple Mail” on Mac.
  2. Click on Mail and click on “Add Account”.
  3. Choose “Google” and click on Continue.
  4. Sign In with “Gmail login credentials” and accept permissions.
  5. Ensure Mail is selected and click Done to “Sync Gmail emails”.

Part2. Add your iCloud Account to Apple Mail

  1. In the Mail App, go to “Mail” and click on “Add Account”.
  2. Select iCloud and login with your “Apple ID”.
  3. Enable “Two Factor Authentication” and fill the verification code.
  4. Make sure “Mail” is selected and press Done to sync emails.

Part3. Transfer Emails from Gmail to iCloud

  1. In the Mail App, navigate to the “Gmail account” from the left menu.
  2. Choose emails as you want to migrate and press on “Command+A” to select all emails.
  3. Right-click on the “Chosen folder” and press on Move to>iCloud>Inbox(or any desired iCloud folder).
  4. Wait for the transfer complete. This approach may take time, depending on the number of emails and attachments.

Post Migration

  • Ensure that all emails are transferred correctly to your iCloud account.
  • Open a few emails to confirm that attachments, formatting and metadata are intact.
  • Configure iCloud Mail setting to ensure the correct syncing preferences.
  • If necessary, move emails into separate folders or labels for better management.
  • If you no longer need Gmail then deactivate it and delete it from your devices.
  • Cross check Gmail and iCloud to ensure no emails are left for migration.
  • If required, update email signatures or notify important contacts about your new addresses.

Boundaries of Manual Technique

  • Doesn’t transfer labels from Gmail(folder must be recreated manually).
  • Time consuming approach for large mailbox data.
  • Attachments may take longer to sync, depending on internet speed.
  • No direct option to migrate contacts, calendars, or Google Drive files.

How to Migrate Gmail Emails to iCloud via Gmail to iCloud Migration Tool?

If you want to migrate whole mailbox data from Google account then we recommend you to choose Jagware Gmail Backup Tool as it allows users to migrate any selective or whole mailbox data from Google account without losing any information. This software is completely updated with modern technology as it works with Oauth authentication and skip efforts to generate app passwords.

Instructions to Migrate Emails from iCloud to Gmail
  1. Download and run “Gmail to iCloud Migration Tool” on your machine.Launch Gmail to iCloud Migration Tool
  2. Fill Gmail email address and click on “Sign in with Google”.Sign in with Google
  3. Enter “Google password” and press on Next.Enter Google password
  4. Here, Accept all required “Permissions” to migrate Google mailbox data.Accept all permissions
  5. Choose the “Mailbox folder” as you want to migrate to iCloud.Select Gmail mailbox folders
  6. Browse “IMAP Server” in the available select saving option.Select IMAP
  7. Enter “iCloud email address and password” to authenticate email account.Enter iCloud login credentials
  8. Choose filter options and press Backup to start “Migrate Gmail emails to iCloud”.Start Migrate Gmail emails to iCloud
Benefits of Gmail to iCloud Migration Tool
  • This software can also export Gmail emails into PDF, TXT, HTML, MBOX, and 30+ select saving options.
  • It is specially created with a simple initiative interface to easily perform by any professional or individual users.
  • You can also use filter options such as date range, subject, exclude folders, has the words, incremental backup and more.
  • With this tool, you can also migrate Gmail to Microsoft 365, Thunderbird, Zimbra, and all IMAP Supported email platforms.
  • The mailbox attributes remain preserved as appears in your Gmail account.
Overall Reflection

In this tutorial, we have outlined all effortless approaches to migrate Gmail to iCloud Account by manually and Gmail to iCloud Migration Tool. As manually it has lots of drawbacks and major possibility of data loss. So, we recommend you to opt Gmail to iCloud Converter as it can migrate effortlessly without leaving any data behind.

Recurring Questions about Migrate Gmail to iCloud Account

Can I Put my Gmail on iCloud?

Yes, you can add your Gmail account on iCloud by linking it in the Apple Mail app. This allows you to access Gmail emails through iCloud on Mac, iPhone or iPad. However, Gmail remains a unique separate service, and emails won’t be stored in iCloud unless manually transferred.


How do I Transfer my Gmail number to iCloud?

If you want to link your phone number to Gmail, you can update your Apple ID’s trusted number in Settings> Apple ID> Sign in & Security. If you want to sync Gmail contacts to iCloud then you can export contacts as vCard from Google contacts and import into iCloud account.


Can I Change my email to my iCloud?

You can switch to using iCloud as your primary email, but you cannot replace it with a Gmail email address. However, you can enable forwarding from Gmail to your iCloud or notify contacts of your iCloud email while gradually phasing out Gmail.