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How to Import Thunderbird to Gmail Using Expert Methods?

  author
Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On June 2nd, 2025
Reading Time 7 Min Read

Read this write-up, and get the complete solution to import Thunderbird to Gmail with all mailbox items. Just stay with us till the end, and get the complete solution for your query.

So, a lot of Thunderbird users are finding a solution for Thunderbird to Gmail migration, all because it possesses multiple advanced features. Gmail stores the data properly in a well-organized manner, which instigates a lot of users to also export Thunderbird contacts to Gmail. This major feature of centralized data, which is accessible on different devices such as personal computers, iPhones, Androids, and more, boosts the users’ flexibility and versatility. 

Hence, after getting multiple queries related to export Thunderbird data to Gmail account, we have finally come up with a prospective approach to import Thunderbird contacts to Gmail account directly. Therefore, to know everything in detail, read the complete article till the very end.  

Reasons to Migrate Thunderbird to Gmail Account

  • The process to export Thunderbird contacts to Gmail, gives users a huge advantage with large cloud storage, so that one can store bulk data in one place.
  • Also, Gmail has various advanced search capabilities, which make accessing, editing, omitting, and sharing the data effortless.
  • Over and above that, if one export Thunderbird emails to Gmail, then they can universally access them anytime, anywhere.
  • Doing this process also takes a backup of Thunderbird emails so that users can store them for long-term future needs.

So, because Thunderbird is a free desktop email client, it does not have all of the above features, and thus, the user decides to do the Thunderbird to Gmail migration to access them as per their needs.

How to Import Thunderbird to Gmail Professionally?

One such software is RecoveryTools Thunderbird Migrator, which gives users a direct option to not just import Thunderbird to Gmail account but also export Thunderbird contacts to Gmail. Thus, this Thunderbird to Gmail export software is capable of detecting the default Thunderbird profile location and letting the user do the desired drill to manage their data. Hence, the users only need to provide the resultant Gmail account login credentials in the application panel, and they are good to go. Moreover, this software is easy to use and provides advanced features to analyze the results.

To download the free trial of Thunderbird to Gmail Migration Tool, click on the button mentioned below:

Features of Thunderbird to Gmail Migration Tool

  • Automatically detect and load mailbox items from the configured Thunderbird Profile location.
  • The software is completely standalone to do the migration without requiring the Google Apps Migration Tool
  • Also, import Thunderbird to Gmail account, including all email properties and embedded attachments.
  • Provides a batch mode option to import unlimited data and other mailbox items directly to the Gmail account.
  • Has 30+ export options that allow the users to convert Thunderbird to PST, PDF, MSG, MBOX, EML, etc., or even transfer Thunderbird files to Office 365, Yahoo, Zimbra, and more.
  • Dual selection mode to upload Thunderbird files and folders directly to the software panel.
  • Selectively migrate the required files and folders from the list of data.
  • Also, the utility is available in various international languages and can meet the needs of multiple users.
  • The software is fully compatible with all the latest Windows OS, including Win 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, Vista, etc., for both 32 & 64-bit.
  • With this solution, users can also export Thunderbird contacts to Gmail, extract Thunderbird attachments, save Thunderbird email addresses, and more, which is very complicated to do otherwise.
  • Works independently and does not need any kind of extra installation to continue with the process to import Thunderbird to Gmail.

Steps for Efficient Thunderbird to Gmail Migration

  1. Firstly, install the application & read the instructions on the home screen.
     Thunderbird to Gmail Migration tool
  2. Now, choose the Convert Emails or Contacts and Calendars to export Thunderbird emails to Gmail or export Thunderbird contacts to Gmail, respectively.
    Convert Thunderbird Emails
  3. Now, the tool will automatically detect configured Mailbox data, or users can select Profile or Files manually.
    load Thunderbird Mailbox
  4. Select only the required mailbox items or Thunderbird Folder data to import Thunderbird to Gmail.
    required mailbox items
  5. Now, choose the Gmail option from the list of file saving options to save Thunderbird emails or Thunderbird address book to Gmail account.
    Gmail option
  6. Set up import options like changing language, copying to the default folder, etc.
    changing language
  7. Enter the Gmail Account Login Credentials of the resultant account in the application panel.
    Gmail Account
  8. Lastly, click on the Convert button & analyze the live migration process in the utility panel.
    import Thunderbird to Gmail process
  9. In the end, the Thunderbird to Gmail migration finished successfully. So, log in to your Gmail account & access the resultant messages in the Gmail mailbox.

Manual Steps to Migrate Thunderbird to Gmail Account

Important Note: First you have to enable the IMAP access and then generate App password for error free configuration.

import Thunderbird to Gmail process

  1. Open Thunderbird on your computer.
  2. From the Tools menu, select Account Settings.
    Account Settings
  3. In the Account Actions drop-down menu, click on the Add Mail Account option.
    Account Actions
  4. Set up a Gmail account in Thunderbird by providing your Name, Email ID, and password.
    Set up a Gmail account
  5. Then, click on the Continue button, select the IMAP option & then Done to populate Thunderbird with all Gmail Folders and Emails.
  6. Copy/Paste Thunderbird emails to any folder, or you can create a new folder. Your Gmail account will instantly get updated with the new emails.

Manual Steps to Export Thunderbird Contacts to Gmail

Apart from emails, there are a lot of other users as well who want to import Thunderbird contacts to Gmail, and the quick yet indirect way to do this is mentioned below:

  1. Run Thunderbird on your system.
  2. Browse and click on the Address Book option.
  3. Then, go to Tools and choose the Export option.
  4. Further, from the saving option, select CSV. 
  5. Once done, select the saving location and click on Save. 
  6. Next, open Gmail and click on the Google Apps icon. 
  7. Further, select the Contacts and there, click on Import. 
  8. Now, select the converted Thunderbird to CSV file.
  9. Then, click on Import to successfully export Thunderbird address book to Gmail.

Why Conventional Way Not Convenient?

Using the manual way to either export Thunderbird emails to Gmail or import Thunderbird contacts to Gmail is not suggested at all by professionals due to its multiple limitations, which restrict the users’ productivity.  For example,

  • In case the user chooses to forward messages, it will not help as a fully functional solution. The emails will lose the original senders, and sent emails won’t appear.
  • Also, users will not use the conversation view of Gmail, which groups emails on the same topic.
  • Basically, this way of Thunderbird to Gmail migration is not suitable for non-technical users as it is not easy to perform the whole process.
  • Also, the method to export Thunderbird address book to Gmail is very complex and confusing, which makes it error-prone for batch migration.

The Conclusion

Finally, in this article, we go through various queries of users, such as export Thunderbird contacts to Gmail or export Thunderbird emails to Gmail, and try to share the best possible solutions. So, a large number of users who were looking for a way to solve these problems so that they could instantly migrate their mailbox items to Gmail on the cloud might have found it beneficial. Also, the manual way to do the shared queries was very difficult and loaded with limitations. Hence, we always suggest a professional utility that allows you to achieve the desired results as soon as possible with minimal resource consumption.

Read Next: Quick Guide to Save Thunderbird Emails to PDF Format