Export Gmail Emails to MSG Without Data Loss: Safe & Easy Ways
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Users commonly need to export Gmail emails to MSG format if they require certain Gmail messages backed up in an Outlook compatible message format that includes all email components – email body, header, attachment, dates and metadata.
Yet, Gmail Webmail or the mobile app does not offer an in-built way to directly save Gmail emails as MSG files. You can still get Gmail emails in MSG format using “Save As MSG Option” in Outlook Classic or New on Windows or using a dedicated & secure “Gmail to MSG Converter” such as BitRecover – which is more suitable for bulk exports.
Why Gmail Doesn’t Export Directly to MSG?
Gmail does not natively export emails in MSG format because MSG is a proprietary Microsoft Outlook message format. Instead, Gmail supports export to EML for individual messages and Gmail to MBOX through Google Takeout for complete mailbox exports – which are both standard & open-source file formats.
Common User Need to Save Gmail Messages in MSG Format
There can be many reasons to convert Gmail emails in MSG format – due to its various advantages & reliability for document-management, legal-hold, e-Discovery and email-archiving systems.
- Offline access & backup
- Import & access in Outlook
- Sharing individual message
- Migrating from Google Workspace/Gmail
BitRecover Gmail to MSG Converter for Mac & Windows
BitRecover Gmail Backup Tool to bulk export Gmail emails to MSG format with exact folder structure replicated, organized using 10+ file naming options and security of “Google OAuth 2.0”, including all email attributes, without needing Outlook or a Microsoft subscription. Get the free trial to download 25 Gmail messages to MSG files locally – with attachments, embedded images, to & from addresses, timestamps, CC/BCC and other details.
How BitRecover Utility Saves Gmail Email to MSG?
- Open the Gmail to MSG export tool.
- Enter your Gmail ID and sign up with Google.
- Preview and choose the Gmail folders to be saved as MSG files.
- Choose “MSG” from the saving option dropdown.
- Optional: Apply filters by date range, sender, recipient, or subject to export a subset instead of all emails under a Gmail label.
- Select the destination on your computer and press “Backup”.
Read Here: Know How to Import MSG Files into Outlook Quickly
Export Gmail to MSG via Microsoft Outlook (Free & Manual)
Note: The exact steps to save Gmail messages in MSG format varies based on the Outlook version. The New Outlook for Windows is free for anyone with Windows.
- Open Outlook desktop.
- Click on File >> Account Info >> Add Account.
- Connect your Gmail account in Outlook via IMAP.
- Open the Gmail email to be saved as MSG.
- Click on three-dots (…) >> “Save As” >> “Save As MSG”
- Name the file and choose the destination, press “Save”.
Only Using Outlook Classic: You can directly download a Gmail as MSG file via Outlook Classic (2024/2021/2019/2016) via drag-&-drop after configuring the account. This is not possible in Outlook New.
Verified Limitations of Outlook to Convert Gmail to MSG Format
- Exports only one Gmail email to MSG in one go.
- Requires manual recreation of Gmail label structure.
- Rare but possible – cannot connect Google Workspace to Outlook.
The method is suitable for limited emails but for bulk exports “BitRecover Gmail to MSG Converter” is needed.
Exporting Gmail to MSG on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android
| Device | Method |
|---|---|
| Windows & Mac | Classic Outlook, New Outlook & BitRecover Gmail to MSG Converter |
| Linux | Outlook client or BitRecover tool is not available; so carry out conversion on Mac or Win share to Linux. |
| Android & Mobile | Gmail or Outlook mobile app does not export Gmail to MSG on mobile you can export on Mac & Win device and share to your mobile device. |
Fix to Common Issue When Manually Exporting Gmail Emails to MSG
- Conversion errors or blank/corrupted MSG files: Wait for the Outlook IMAP sync to Gmail be fulfilled and then export to MSG again.
- Attachments missing from the exported MSG file: Happens if an attachment is an inline image referenced in the HTML body rather than a traditional attachment, drag-and-drop can drop it – use the “Save Message As” option.
FAQs: Backup Gmail Emails in MSG Format
Q: Is it better to save Gmail emails as MSG or EML?
It is relatively better to choose “EML” format due to wide compatibility with other email clients or services.
Q: Can Thunderbird & Online converter export Gmail to MSG?
Thunderbird can support downloading Gmail in multiple formats but not MSG and there is no reliable third party online Gmail to MSG converter extension available.
Q: Can Outlook Web help me save Gmail as MSG?
No, it is primarily because Outlook web cannot access Gmail. You can forward Gmail to Outlook.com and then save Gmail as MSG.
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