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How to Export Gmail to PST File Format? A Complete Guide

  Rollins Duke
Rollins Duke   
Published: May 14th, 2025 • 6 Min Read

In today’s technological world, many users want to manage their emails according to their requirements. Several users want to export Gmail to PST File (Personal Storage Table) format to use with MS Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and prior editions.

If you are also searching for a perfect method to export Gmail as PST, you have landed on the correct web page. In this exclusive blog post, you will read the various easiest techniques to backup Gmail to PST files with or without MS Outlook installation. So, be with us till the end of this article.

Table of Content Hide
  1. Need to Convert Gmail to PST Format
  2. #1 Method: Export Gmail to PST with Outlook
  3. #2 Method: Export Gmail to PST without Outlook
  4. #3 Method: Export Gmail Mailbox to PST via Takeout
  5. User Queries with Expert Replies
  6. Conclusion

What Is Need to Convert Gmail to PST Format?

Several users may have different types of requirements to export Gmail messages to PST format. Here, we are mentioning some common reasons:

  • Backup Requirements: An extra backup of your account always seems beneficial because if you have a backup then you can restore accidentally deleted emails. This is also advisable to backup your Gmail account before deleting it permanently.
  • Offline Access: Gmail is a web-based email service that can’t be accessed without an internet connection. Hence, users wish to download Gmail emails for offline viewing in PST format. After that, they can use the free PST viewer program to access emails offline.
  • Switch Email Platform: Sometimes users want to switch email platforms from the cloud to the desktop. So, they prefer to export Gmail emails to PST format, because PST file is suitable for Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and previous versions.
  • Retention Policies: Various organizations follow the government’s retention policies for legal and compliance requirements. According to the retention policy, companies store employee’s email data for a specific period after switching and leaving their jobs.
  • Forensic Investigation: When forensic investigators find some email accounts during the raids. Then they immediately convert Gmail to PST format because suspects may change the password. Later they can analyze PST files to find out crucial evidence. For this, use PST File Analyzer.
  • Management: Users export Gmail to PST file to manage complete email account data in a single file. A PST file can store all email folders with complete associated items. Even, there are multiple solutions available to manage PST files accordingly.

#1 Method: Export Gmail to PST with Outlook

  1. Sign in to Gmail and enable IMAP from settings.
  2. Add your Gmail account in Outlook using IMAP.
  3. Wait to sync your Gmail account with Outlook.
  4. Restart the Outlook client and select File.
  5. Then, select Open & Export >> Import/Export.
    Import/Export
  6. Choose Export to a file and tap the Next button.
    Export to a file
  7. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and press Next.
    Outlook Data File (.pst)
  8. Next, pick a recently configured Gmail account.
    Select configured account
  9. Now use Browse button to set preferred destination.
    Convert Gmail to PST file
  10. Click Finish to export Gmail to PST file.

Limitations of Manual Method

  • Outlook must be installed to download Gmail emails to PST format.
  • It requires multiple stages to complete this task i.e. Enable IMAP, Configure Gmail with Outlook, and Export PST from Outlook.
  • This method takes a lot of time while syncing Gmail emails with Outlook.
  • Several technical phases are involved in this method so non-technical users may face the problem.

#2 Method: Export Gmail to PST without Outlook

First, download the BitRecover Gmail Backup Tool and install the product setup on your Windows and Mac machines. It helps to export Gmail to PST file without Outlook and in a hassle-free manner.

This software comes with a free trial version that permits to convert first 25 emails from each Gmail folder to PST format. After getting satisfaction with a demo version, you can upgrade it anytime.

After configuration, run the tool and follow the step-by-step process to export Gmail to PST  without any complications.

How to Export Email from Gmail to PST without Outlook?

  1. Download and launch the Gmail to PST Export Tool on your computer.
    Start Gmail to PST Export Tool
  2. Enter your account credentials (Email ID and App Password), and click Login.
    Account credentials
  3. Select the required Gmail folders from the software GUI to export.
    Select folders
  4. Enable advance settings to use filters to export selective emails.
    Filter options
  5. Thereafter, choose PST as the saving option as shown in the figure below.
    Export Gmail emails to PST file
  6. Browse the destination path and press Backup to export Gmail to PST file.

How Is The Above Mentioned Tool Beneficial?

  • Batch mode option to export Gmail emails to PST from multiple accounts at once.
  • Export selective folders from your Gmail account to PST file extension.
  • Enable filtration options to convert Gmail to PST between specific dates.
  • Gmail to PST Converter provides 30+ standard saving options.
  • Several file naming options for renaming exported emails and documents.
  • This software maintains folder and subfolder structure during the export process.
  • It also allows to export Google Workspace emails to PST with incremental export.
  • Separate option to download all attachments from Gmail account in actual formats.

#3 Method: Export Gmail Mailbox to PST Using Takeout

  1. Sign in to your Gmail account and open Takeout.
  2. Choose Deselect All to uncheck all checkboxes.
    Deselect all
  3. After that, select the Mail option and click Next Step.
    Select mail
  4. Choose Delivery Method i.e. Send download link via email.
    Delivery method
  5. Select file type and maximum size accordingly.
    Choose file size
  6. Press the Create Export button to prepare.
    Export Gmail mailbox to PST
  7. See Google is creating copies of your emails.
    Creating copy
  8. Login to your Gmail, and press Download Archive to export ZIP file.
    Download archive

Important Note: After that extract the downloaded ZIP file and get data in MBOX format. Now use MBOX to PST Converter and get data in PST format.

Common User Queries

Q 1: Did you explain all the ways to export Gmail emails to PST?

No, I also know other different ways to convert Gmail to PST. You can follow below steps:

  1. Login to your Gmail account and open an email.
  2. Choose Three Dot (More) and see more options.
  3. Select Download Message to export Gmail to EML file.
  4. Open the Downloads folder and get EML file(s).
  5. Then, convert EML to PST manually.

Q 2: Can I export specific Gmail folders to PST using the tool?

Yes, Gmail to PST Converter shows all folders in File Explorer view. From there you can check only the required folders to export.

Q 3: Does your Gmail to PST Export Tool support Windows 11?

Yes, our software is compatible with all the latest Windows and Mac Operating Systems.

Q 4: Do all methods work successfully to convert Gmail to PST?

Yes, all are tried and tested techniques to export Gmail messages to PST format.

Conclusion

Finally, you can pick any method to export Gmail emails to PST format as per your need and choice. If you are a business user or are a home user. This Gmail to PST Export Tool is valuable for both. The advanced feature of this software is that it is compatible with both Windows & Mac OS.

You can also go with the manual techniques to export Gmail to PST with Outlook, Takeout, and Three Dot (More) options. All the methods work successfully; however, these manual methods have some limitations.

Outlook Toolkit