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Explore How to Import PST to Gmail Step-by-Step?

  author
Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On November 3rd, 2025
Reading Time 9 Min Read

It is essential to select the right method to import emails from PST to Gmail or upload their Outlook mailbox to Google in its entirety.  While Gmail provides options to import data information, the traditional method can often prove to have certain downsides. In this comprehensive blog, we will be briefing the users about some of the proven methods and how users can safely migrate PST to Gmail without risking any sort of data loss.

Want to know if you can import PST to Gmail? The answer is yes, but not directly using the Gmail interface. PST files are Outlook-specific files that store emails, contacts, notes, journals, etc. However, having the right knowledge of manual, freeways, and professional solutions working can make your PST to Gmail migration task simpler.

Irrespective of the fact that you are importing single or multiple PST files to Gmail. This guide will delve deep into best practices and data integrity tips, etc.

import pst to gmail

The query mentioned above is one of the most common issues faced by users who have created backups of their PST files from Outlook and want to import email to Gmail from the PST file, along with maintaining the original hierarchy at the same time.

Such complexity takes place when the system crashes, users change their email platform to Gmail, or due to inactivity, and the files stay the only route to restore previous data like attachments, emails, and other data.

How to Open PST Files in Gmail Account?

One can easily import PST to Gmail via the correct approach. In this guide, we will discuss the following free and professional techniques to overcome the problem.

  • Migrate PST File to Gmail Via Outlook Client.
  • Upload PST to Gmail Using GWMMO Free Utility.
  • Professional Solution to Import PST to Gmail.

Steps to Keep in Mind Before PST to Gmail Migration

Before importing the PST file to Gmail, please ensure you have checked that your PST file is in a healthy format. Moreover, gather your Gmail account credentials and set up the environment for the migration process. These pre-migration steps will help in a hassle-free import of the PST file to Gmail.

  • Save a Copy of the Original PST File: Helps users roll back to the initial condition in case of partial migration, tool crashes, etc. If you have a copy of the PST file stored, you may retry the PST to Gmail import task.
  • Verify PST Files are in a Healthy Format: Another pre-import step is that you must verify that your Outlook data file is in healthy format. You may use the Outlook scanPST.exe free tool to fix your PST file damage if it is not in a healthy format, or you may use the dedicated PST repair tool.
  • Check PST File Size is Below 20 GB: Please verify that the size of your Outlook data file is below 20 GB. Since larger files often result in slow migration of the PST to Gmail, or can even cause a complete import failure.
  • Temporarily Turn Off Antivirus or Firewall: Some security applications or firewalls might block the connection between your desktop and Gmail. To ensure a smoother PST to Gmail import process. It is suggested to temporarily turn off such applications and the firewall until the migration process ends.

2 Manual Methods to Migrate PST Files to Gmail

If you are opting for the free method to import PST to Gmail, you may use the Outlook and GWMMO free utility to overcome your problem. Remember, these methods require Outlook to be installed on your system to complete the PST to Gmail migration process. If you have Outlook already installed on your system. Then, you might follow the steps to use the free methods to overcome your problem.

#1 How to Upload PST File to Gmail Via Outlook Client?

Step 1: Configure Gmail Account in Outlook Email Client

  1. Open the Outlook Email Client.
  2. Now, go to Files > Info > Add Account.
  3. Next, enter your email address in legacy Outlook.
  4. After that, enter the password of your Gmail account.
  5. Outlook will auto-configure your Gmail account in Outlook.

Step 2: Upload PST to File Gmail Profile Configured in Outlook

  1. Now, go to the File tab > Open & Export > Import/Export.
  2. After that, click on import from another file.
  3. Next, choose Outlook data files (.pst) > click the Browse button.
  4. Then, choose the PST file you require to import into Gmail.
  5. Thereafter, click on Next > select the destination as Gmail profile.
  6. Finally, click on Finish and wait for Outlook to sync with Gmail.

#2 How to Migrate PST to Gmail Using GWMMO?

  1. Download and install G Suite Migration for Microsoft Outlook (GSMMO).
  2. After that, log in with your Gmail email address and the Continue icon.
    login to GWMMO
  3. Click on the Allow button to grant the required permissions.
    allow permissions
  4. Upload your Outlook Data File using the Browse option.
    upload outlook data file
  5. Check the needed data, including Mail, Contacts, Calendar, etc.
    check required data
  6. Lastly, click on the Migrate button to import PST files to Gmail without Outlook.
    migrate PST to Gmail completed

Limitations of the Commonly Available Techniques

  • Most of the free solutions work only when you have already installed Outlook on your system. If you do not have Outlook installed on your system, the free technique to import PST to Gmail will not work.
  • Manual technique works well for the PST file size of majorly 20 GB; above this, your migration process may slow down or completely fail in the middle.
  • This free tool and DIY technique does not guarantee that the folder structure of the data will be preserved after importing the PST to Gmail.
  • Manual solutions do not provide any dedicated support if anything goes wrong during the saving process or overcome a query.
  • Users are obligated to configure IMAP settings correctly, which often leads to confusion for users without any technical knowledge.
  • Manual methods do not provide the feature to import contacts from PST to Gmail on selective basis or filter certain specific mail elements.
  • Requires the need for Outlook installation for the account configuration process, which is not always available for multiple reasons.

Expert’s Way to Upload PST to Gmail without Losing Structure

If you are looking for a professional solution to import Outlook data file to Gmail without Outlook PST file size limitation and keeping the folder hierarchy intact. It is highly suggested that users should go for the RecoveryTools PST Migration Tool. This advanced PST to Gmail Migration Tool has the expertise to upload Outlook data files to Gmail without Outlook installation as a standalone solution. Moreover, users can apply the utility’s email-level filters for selective PST to Gmail import. Now, let us have a working guide for this expert solution.

#3 How to Import PST File to Gmail Account without Outlook?

  1. To start, install and run the PST to Gmail Migration tool on your PC.
    run PST to Gmail migration tool
  2. Next, click on the Select Files or Select Folders button to add PST files for import.
    upload PST files to tool
  3. After that, enable the folders you need to migrate from PST to Gmail account.
    enable folders
  4. Then, choose the save option as Gmail from the drop-down menu.
    select Gmail save option
  5. Thereafter, enable the filter options to selectively import PST to Gmail.
    enable advanced filters
  6. Lastly, enter your Gmail account credentials and click on Convert to start the PST to Gmail conversion process.
    import PST to Gmail

Concluding Words

The process to import PST to Gmail is difficult until users have the right path. With the appropriate solutions and steps, both technical and non-technical users can easily migrate PST to Gmail account. Utilizing the automated method enables users to upload PST to Gmail efficiently and preserves integrity of users’ crucial information like contacts, calendars, emails, and attachments.

For error-free and secure experience to upload PST file to Gmail, go with the the professional PST to Gmail migration tool to to migrate Outlook PST to Gmail seamlessly, resulting in the instant availability of old emails and contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I migrate Outlook PST to Gmail without installing Outlook?

Outlook is required for profile configuration if the user is using any manual method. On the other hand, using an automated utility eliminates the requirement of installing Outlook to upload PST to Gmail.

Q2: Do traditional method ensures to sustain the structure of the folder?

Manual methods do not guarantee to preservation the integrity of users’ data as they can alter the file’s elements, information, and structure while importing PST files.

Q3: Can I import emails from PST to Gmail in Bulk with the Pro tool?

Completely! The tool not only provides its users with the feature to upload their PST files in batch but also gives users more than 15+ like import OST to Gmail and additional file formats to migrate PST files.

Q4: Does the traditional method include importing contacts and calendars?

There are several methods that do so. However, there is no certainty that those methods would import the PST files in the exact folder structure. Unlike commonly available techniques, the automated tool successfully deals with all types of information and helps the user import contacts from PST to Gmail as well as calendars.

Q5: Is the Automated Tool completely safe and secure?

The professional PST to Gmail migration tool uses an entirely safe authentication code of conduct such as OAuth 2.0 that makes the whole migration process secure.