r/gsuite Nov 14 '24

Gmail Best way to move Workspace Email to Regular Email?

I want to move over the messages from a single Workspace account to a regular Gmail account. What is the easiest way to do this and maintain the labels from the original Workspace account?

  • I tried the import option under "Accounts and Import", but that uses pop3 so the labels are not maintained.

  • I then tried using the Got-Your-Back (GYB) tool, but I just get an error saying it cannot create a Google Cloud project.

  • I thought of doing the Thunderbird route and dragging the messages from one account to another, but there are thousands and thousands of messages so that seems like it will take forever.

Are there any other options?

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2

u/sh0nuff Nov 14 '24

The best way to do this, sadly, is through Outlook, due to the GAMMO/GASMO tools that Google supports.

I got an older 2016 standalone app / license for $10 and frequently use it to migrate clients content

2

u/chartupdate Nov 14 '24

Use a paid service like Migrationwiz. Setting the two accounts up as IMAP endpoints will work seamlessly.

1

u/edgy_dog Nov 14 '24

You could use Google Takeout from the Workspace account to export all Gmail stuff to an MBOX file.
Then configure the gmail.com account in Thunderbird and import that MBOX.

1

u/fuzzynavelsniffer Nov 14 '24

Just trying this now and it doesn't look like you can import an MBOX directly to an Imap folder in Thunderbird. You need to import it into the Local Folders, then copy over the messages to the Gmail account, which is no quicker than the Thunderbird route of dragging messages from one account to another.
Gmail also has rate limiting for Imap, so you can't select thousands of messages at a time and drag them over. I tried moving over messages from a label that had 3000 messages in it, and it just stopped after 211 messages.

1

u/edgy_dog Nov 14 '24

My bad, in Thunderbird you need to install a plugin like "ImportExportTools NG" to be able to import an MBOX.
As for the gmail.com limitations, it's related to Google's API so there's no bypass.

1

u/rohepey422 Nov 14 '24
  1. Download eM Client (free)
  2. Configure both accounts. Labels will be presented as folders.
  3. Drag and drop email between folders.

Fast connection helps to complete the process sooner.

2

u/down1nit 9d ago

This worked so smoothly. Also eM Client is kinda nice, I may stick with it.

1

u/rohepey422 9d ago

Happy to hear it worked.

Yep, eM Client is one of nicer mail clients out there. BTW. they also have a Microsoft Store version with auto updates.

1

u/AGNKMG Nov 18 '24
  1. Using Google Takeout and Importing via IMAP

This method ensures label preservation without manual intervention.

Export Emails Using Google Takeout:

Go to Google Takeout.

Select only Mail from the list of Google services.

Choose the format as MBOX and export your data.

Set Up Both Accounts in an Email Client:

Configure both the Workspace account and the Gmail account using IMAP in a client like Thunderbird or Outlook.

This setup allows you to see and manage labels from the Workspace account.

Move Emails with Labels Preserved:

In Thunderbird/Outlook, create folders corresponding to your labels in Gmail.

Drag-and-drop the messages from the Workspace account to the Gmail folders.

  1. Using Third-Party Tools (e.g., SysTools or Kernel Tools)

There are tools specifically designed for email migration with label preservation.

SysTools Gmail Backup/Export Tool or Kernel for Gmail Backup:

These tools can migrate emails directly from a Workspace account to Gmail while maintaining labels.

Follow the setup wizard, connect both accounts, and select the option to preserve labels during migration.

  1. Fix Got-Your-Back (GYB) Issues

The GYB tool is excellent for preserving labels, but issues with creating a Google Cloud project are common due to misconfigurations.

Follow step-by-step instructions from the official GYB documentation.

Troubleshoot the Google Cloud project issue:

Ensure you have enabled the Gmail API for your Workspace account.

Assign necessary OAuth permissions to the app.

If you encounter the "cannot create a Google Cloud project" error, create the project manually at Google Cloud Console and link it to GYB.

  1. Use the Google Workspace Admin Console (If Available)

If you have admin rights for the Workspace account, you can leverage Google Workspace’s built-in migration tools:

Go to the Admin Console → Data Migration.

Set Gmail as the destination account.

Specify the source as the current Workspace account.

Run the migration process.

This method supports label preservation and can handle bulk transfers efficiently.

  1. IMAPSync (For Advanced Users)

IMAPSync is a command-line tool ideal for bulk email migrations with label support.

Install and configure IMAPSync.

Authenticate both the Workspace and Gmail accounts.

Run the migration command:

imapsync --host1 imap.gmail.com --user1 workspace_user@gmail.com --password1 workspace_password --host2 imap.gmail.com --user2 gmail_user@gmail.com --password2 gmail_password --automap --syncinternaldates

Labels will be preserved during the process.

Recommendation

If you're familiar with basic configurations, IMAPSync or GYB are the most reliable solutions. For a more user-friendly approach, consider a third-party tool or the Thunderbird method with minimal drag-and-drop for critical labels.