Perform Google Workscape to Proton Mail Migration: Complete Route
Migration from Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) to Proton Business plans is a three-stage process designed to ensure zero downtime and prevent message loss.
- Stage 1: Planning Cutovers and Destination Setup
- Stage 2: Data Transfer – Copying Mailboxes via RecoveryTools Google Workspace to Proton Migration Tool or Proton Mail Easy Switch
- Stage 3: Re-pointing Emails and Updating Records
This guide is for custom-domain Google Workspace organizations moving to a paid Proton plan. The Google Workspace to Proton Mail migration process remains the same regardless of Proton Mail Plan, such as Mail Essentials, Standard Premium, or Enterprise. Read here to Migrate Personal Gmail to Proton Mail.
What Changes After Google Workspace to Proton Mail Switch? Key Differences
| Factor | Google Workspace | Proton Mail for Business |
|---|---|---|
| Access Protocols | IMAP, POP, and SMTP or API via Google’s Server | IMAP & SMTP accessed with Proton Mail Bridge |
| Encryption & Privacy | Data Mining Risks | End-to-end and zero-access encryption |
| Integrated Applications | Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Meet, and more | Mail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Meet, Pass, VPN |
| Legal Data Oversight | US laws (CLOUD Act, FISA access requests) | Swiss Privacy Laws |
Important: With advantages, there are certain pitfalls of migrating from Google Workspace to Proton Mail, as it lacks a full eDiscovery suite and has slower client-side search indexing.
Functionalities to be Migrated from Google Workspace to Proton Mail
- Gmail Messages and Attachments
- Contacts: Directly via Proton Mail Easy Switch
- Calendar Events: Directly via Proton Mail Easy Switch
- Gmail Labels: Mapped into Proton Mail folders
The following data items must be extracted and re-imported into their designated Proton destinations:
- Google Drive files
- Google Photos
- Google Docs and Sheets
When moving from Google Workspace to Proton Mail, filters, signatures, delegation, shared mailboxes, and Google Groups have to be manually replicated in Proton before cutover.
Stage 1: Pre-Google Workspace to Proton Migration Planning & Requirements
Source Google Workspace Side:
- Google Workspace Super Admin account, Service Account ID, and P12 Certificate File.
- Define the scope of migration and create a list of user mailboxes and non-mail items to be migrated from GWS to Proton Mail.
- Lower the TTL to 300 seconds to carry out seamless migration at a faster speed.
- Ensure you communicate the migration to all the stakeholders.
- DNS access to modify the TXT, CNAME, and MX records at your domain host.
Destination Proton Mail Side:
- Proton Admin on a Proton for Business organization.
- Verify domain in Proton Mail under Organization > Domain names in Proton Mail Admin Console (account.proton.me/u/0/mail/admin).
- Every user mailbox must be created in the Proton Mail destination before starting the migration. Create a CSV of the destination mailboxes – email ID and passwords.
- Proton Mail Bridge must be installed on the system performing the migration.
Stage 2: Transfer Data from Google Workspace to Proton Mail
Proton Mail’s native Easy Switch vs. the RecoveryTools (third-party but secure) are two expert-recommended routes to move mailboxes from Google Workspace to Proton Mail. The approaches differ in the scope of migration and data control parameters. Finalise the approach for mailbox migration from Google Workspace to Proton Mail.
| Comparison | Proton Easy Switch for Business | RecoveryTools GWS to Proton Migration Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Items Migrated | Emails, contacts, calendars | Mail only (Contacts can be saved to PC separately) |
| Available On | Google Workspace Marketplace | Dedicated applications available for installation on Mac and Windows. |
| Targeted Migration for Better Destination Quota Management | Only Data Type & Folders | 10+ Filters like Date Range, Sender & Receiver Address, Exclude Folders & Attachments, Has Words etc. |
| Connection to Proton & Native | Direct | Via Proton Mail at 127.0.0.1:1143 |
| Complexity | High | Low |
| Cost | Free | Paid (Free Trial Version Available) |
Route A: Easy Switch for Business to Migrate Google Workspace to Proton Mail
Note: Complete steps adopted from Proton Mail’s Google Workspace-to-Proton migration using Easy Switch.
- Open the Proton Mail Bridge Application and connect your Proton Mail Admin account.
- Then, choose the Import via Easy Switch option.
- Select Google as the source of migration and configure the migration items to be transferred – emails, contacts & calendar.
- Sign in with the Google Workspace Super Admin account and provide the required permissions.
- Install the Proton Mail Easy Switch Tool. (Ensure your domain is already verified.)
- Press Next. The tool displays and allows you to select all Google Workspace users to be imported into Proton Mail.
- Click on the “Migrate” button >> Next.
- Further, copy the invitation message and send it to users for a verification link. Each user opens it, enters their email address, receives a verification code in their existing Gmail inbox, and sets a new Proton password.
Route B: RecoveryTools Google Workspace to Proton Mail Migration Tool
RecoveryTools Google Workspace Migration Tool offers a straightforward way to migrate Google Workspace to ProtonMail account. Just provides login credentials of Google Workspace and ProtonMail to easily transfer emails. The toolkit also enables the users to migrate selected Google Workspace emails to ProtonMail account easily. You can also get the complete original copy of your Google Workspace email in ProtonMail account.
Free Download the Solution for Your Windows and Mac Computers:



