Gmail to iCloud Migration with Emails & Contacts: 3 Easy Ways

Gmail (@gmail.com) to iCloud (@iCloud.com) email migration copies the emails in a Gmail account into an iCloud Mail account, so they can be directly opened & accessed though iCloud Mail on iPhone, iPad or Mac OS.

RecoveryTools Gmail Backup Tool is a direct and secure way to bulk migrate Gmail mailbox to iCloud account over modern OAuth including attachments with Gmail label structure preserved. Alternatively for one-time data transfer from Gmail to iCloud you can rely on Apple’s own Import Messages option (works on iOS) or an email client like Apple Mail that helps you carry out migration via simple drag and drop.

The guide covers step-by-step instructions for Gmail email to iCloud migration – for existing email in mailbox, along with steps to forward and sync new incoming Gmail emails in iCloud.

Why Migrate Gmail to iCloud? Real-Use Cases & Advantages

Gmail to iCloud has various advantages such as dedicated space of mail only, data controls and easier integration with Apple ecosystem:

Switching to iPhone: Upon switching from Android to iPhone – user has to maintain a primary Apple Mail account and one also gets 3 free iCloud email aliases. But old emails from Gmail are still needed for easy unified access in iCloud.

Closing of School or Work Gmail: When graduating from school or university, or leaving an organization where a professional Google account was provided, users may migrate their emails and other important data to a personal iCloud account to retain access to their records.

Data Privacy & Security: Gmail has aggressive ad-targeting and data profiling to scan incoming and outgoing email contents which is not there with iCloud.

Advantageous Features iCloud Has Over Gmail Email

Feature	Advantage of iCloud Mail
Apple Ecosystem Integration	Works seamlessly with Apple Mail, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple services.
Custom Email Domain	Supports custom email domains with an eligible iCloud+ subscription.
Privacy Features	Offers features such as Hide My Email with iCloud+.
Apple Mail Experience	Integrates directly with the Apple Mail app across supported Apple devices.

What Should You Do Before Initialising Gmail to iCloud Migration?

• Check iCloud Storage: Check the storage on the destination iCloud account. iCloud’s free storage is 5 GB, shared with device backups, photos, and iCloud Drive but for Gmail it can exceed up to 15 GB.
• Create an iCloud App-Specific Password: Create iCloud app-specific password. Note: You do not need a Gmail app-specific password.
• Check Email Size Limits: iCloud Mail limits incoming and outgoing messages to 20 MB, emails over 20MB cannot be migrated from Gmail to iCloud.
• Check Device Compatibility: You can only transfer Gmail emails to iCloud mail manually iPhone and iPad needs iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 or later.
• Ensure an Internet Connection: Internet connection is required for Gmail email to iCloud transfer.

Which Method Should You Use to Move Gmail Emails to iCloud?

Your Need	Method You Should Use
Bulk Large Mailbox Migration with Future Email Transfer	RecoveryTools Gmail to iCloud Migration Tool
Native Cost-Free Migration via iPhone or iPad	Apple Import Messages in iPhone Settings
Want to move only some folders or date ranges	Tool with Filters – for precise migration or an email client like Apple Mail or Thunderbird
Only need future emails in iCloud	Gmail forwarding
Maintain Gmail Separately But Access in Apple	Add Gmail account to in Mac Mail App

What are the steps to transfer Gmail to iCloud with the tool?

Easy to Follow Migration Steps for Both Technical & Non-Technical Users:

1. Install and open the tool to migrate Gmail to iCloud.
2. Enter your Gmail ID and Sign in with Google.
3. Select the Gmail labels you want to transfer.
4. Choose IMAP from the saving dropdown.
5. Enter the details to connect to your iCloud account:
   • Incoming server: imap.mail.me.com
   • Port and security: 993, SSL
   • Email ID: Destination iCloud ID
   • Password: App-Specific Password for destination
6. Press backup to migrate Gmail emails to iCloud account.

The imported emails land in one new folder named after your Gmail address.

What Features Does the Tool Support for Gmail to iCloud Migration?

• Batch Migration: Has “I am Admin” mode that accommodates large mailbox data volumes for batch migrate multiple Gmail user accounts to iCloud simultaneously.
• Complete Data Preservation: Move Gmail emails to iCloud with – Attachments, Preserved Label & Sublabel Structure, Metadata, Formatting, Inline Images, Headers and Signatures.
• Incremental and Scheduled Migration: Automatically migrate only new incoming Gmail emails to iCloud daily, weekly, or monthly with the “Incremental + Scheduled Migration” option without any duplicates.
• Secure API-Based Connection: Overcomes document bandwidth and throttling limits – 2,500 MB/day with “Secure API based connection”.
• Advanced Email Filters: Selective email transfer from Gmail to iCloud with advanced settings – Date Range, From /To, Subject, Exclude Folders, Has the Words or Exclude Attachments for better destination mailbox.
• Windows Compatibility: You do not need iTunes, iCloud, or an iPhone for this method. Only the two sets of credentials are needed, the tool lets you move emails from Gmail to iCloud even on Windows devices.

Import Gmail to iCloud Mail with on iPhone & iPad: Apple’s Built-In Way

Apple’s Import Messages option for iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 or later lets you migrate Gmail to iCloud. It is a time consuming process but can run in the background.

1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
2. Tap iCloud Mail, then tap Import Messages.
3. Simply follow the on screen instruction on sign in with Google.

How to Import Gmail Emails on iCloud.com via Web?

1. Go to icloud.com/mail sign in with your Apple Account.
2. Click on the Gear icon at the top and go to “Settings”.
3. From the side bar go to the “Import Messages” >> Import.
4. Select Gmail as the email provider and continue.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions.

You cannot selectively choose specific emails or manually manage the destination folders during the import process; your entire Gmail mailbox to iCloud Mail according to Apple’s import procedure.

How to Migrate Gmail to iCloud with Apple Mail or Thunderbird?

1. Open Apple Mail on your computer.
2. Click on Mail > Add Account and Select Google to add Gmail account to Apple Mail.
3. Make sure your destination iCloud.com account is already configured.
4. Create a folder in iCloud Mail, then select emails in a Gmail folder and drag them into it.
5. Repeat the process for folders.

In case you are using Thunderbird – make sure you use app-password to connect to your iCloud account.

How to Forward Gmail Emails to iCloud? New Incoming Emails Only

1. Go to Gmail Webmail >> Gear Icon >> See All Settings.
2. Switch the tab to “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” and click Add a forwarding address.
3. Enter your iCloud ID.
4. A confirmation link has been sent to your iCloud to verify permission. Verify via link.
5. Select Forward a copy of incoming mail to and choose your iCloud address.
6. Make sure you check “Keep Gmail’s Copy in Inbox”.

How to Add Gmail to Apple Mail? Steps for Only Access of Gmail inside Mail App

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, scroll down, and tap Mail.
2. Select Accounts, then tap Add Account.
3. Choose Google as the source email provider.
4. Enter your Gmail ID >> Sign in With Google and tap Continue.
5. Turn on the toggle switch for Mail. Tap Save in the top-right corner.

What are the Steps to Add Gmail Contacts to iCloud?

1. Go to Google Contacts in your computer browser log in with your source Gmail.
2. Go to Contacts and click on Export (upwards arrow icon).
3. Choose vCard for Android or iOS >> Export.
4. Open a browser window, log into iCloud.com, and open the Contacts app.
5. Click the plus (+) icon at the bottom of the sidebar or settings gear and choose Import vCard.
6. Choose the Gmail contacts you exported and import in iCloud.

What to Do if Gmail to iCloud Migration Seems Stuck? General Troubleshooting

Manual ways to migrate Gmail data to an iCloud account is time taking. Before trying out the troubleshooting, wait for some time.

Common Reasons for Paused Migration	Solution
An email larger than 20MB has interrupted Gmail to iCloud transfer.	Apply Gmail search filter larger:20M and sort emails firstly before starting the migration.
Weak internet connectivity	Switch to a different internet connection.
iCloud storage quota exceeds Gmail	Carry out selective migration via Tool or using the mail client method.
Throttling issues	Use RecoveryTools Gmail to iCloud Migration.