How to Import Google Takeout to Outlook Safely? Easy Tips
Fact-checked and reviewed in accordance with our Editorial Policy
Home users and business professionals prefer to import Google Takeout to Outlook but don’t know the precise solution to do this. If you are looking for a reliable and trustworthy method to convert Google Takeout to PST format for Microsoft Outlook. Then you can stop your search, this blog post explains both manual and professional techniques to resolve this problem effectively.
Google Takeout exports Gmail email as MBOX and Outlook does not natively support importing MBOX files. You need to use either a workaround using an MBOX-compatible email client or some reliable and safe Google Takeout to Outlook import tool.
If you are using New Outlook then you can import data from the PST file into a mailbox. Plus, it supports opening PST files and accessing its content easily.
A Beginner’s Guide to Google Takeout
Google offers a lot of services to its users with Gmail being one of the most popular email services worldwide. Takeout is a Google service that allows user to download data from multiple Google Applications such as Gmail, Calendar, Classic Sites, Classroom, Alerts, Blogger, Chrome, Contacts, Drive, Fit, Chat, Photos, Keep, and many more.
Overall, Google Takeout acts as a backup solution that lets you export data from Google services. However, the format in which it exports data is completely dependent on the service. For example – you can export MBOX from a Gmail account, so all your emails are in this file.
Challenges to Import Google Takeout to Outlook
There are many email applications available in the global market. Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular email clients when it comes to desktop email clients. So, it comes as no surprise that many users who have the Google Takeout mailbox with them, wish to view it in MS Outlook.
But there’s a problem!
Microsoft Outlook supports PST files and MBOX is generated by Google Takeout. So conversion of MBOX data to PST is necessary before importing it into Outlook.
Solution?
It is quite straightforward, first, convert Google Takeout to PST and then use the import functionality to add data to the Outlook client. With this, you can import Google Takeout to New Outlook and Outlook Classic.
Read Similar: Import MBOX to Outlook Windows and Mac
How to Import Google Takeout Data to Outlook Manually?
#1 Stage: Export Google Takeout Data
- Go to the Google Takeout page and log in with your credentials.
- Next, choose “deselect all” applications at once and select “Mail“.
- Choose a “Delivery method” like “Send download link via email“.
- After that, select the “File type” as “ZIP” to customize archive format.
- “Select size” for the exported mailbox and click “Create Archive“.
- An archive of your emails will be prepared.
- Lastly, login to your Gmail, and choose “Download archive“.
You will get a “ZIP” file. Extract its content to get the “MBOX” file in the Mail folder and other items in the corresponding folders.
#2 Stage: Import Google Takeout to Thunderbird
- Launch Thunderbird on your computer.
- Add the ImportExportTools NG add-on to Thunderbird.
- Then, manually import MBOX file into Thunderbird.
- Drag and drop imported mailbox to the configured account.
- The imported mailbox will be synchronized with email account.
After completing the second phase your imported Takeout mailbox data will be available under the configured email account in Thunderbird.
#3 Stage: Add Configured Email Account to Outlook
- Start Outlook Classic on your machine and choose “File“.
- Then, select “Info” and choose the “Add Account” option.
- Enter the email address you configured in Thunderbird and tap “Connect“.
- Enter account password of the same email address for authentication and press “Done“.
- Outlook will start synchronizing the configured email account with your profile.
- Lastly, hit “Send/Receive All Folders” to refresh Outlook after the sync process is done.
After synchronizing the configured email account in Outlook you can now access the Google Takeout emails. This method transfers the messages through an email account rather than directly importing the Google Takeout MBOX to Outlook.
Drawbacks of the Manual Method
- This lengthy process involves three distinct phases as described above.
- It requires technical knowledge of Takeout, Thunderbird, and Outlook applications.
- Thunderbird must be installed on your computer with IMAP account configuration.
- Additionally, you need to install the ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird.
Read Also: Import MBOX to Google Workspace Directly
Professional Solution to Convert Google Takeout to PST for Outlook
Google Takeout Converter is specially designed to convert Google Takeout mailboxes into various formats. It preserves the original folder hierarchy of the Takeout mailbox which many email clients fail to maintain.
The screenshots provided below are from the free trial version of the software. It will only convert the first 25 emails from the Takeout file and help you test our tool’s functionality.
How to Add Google Takeout to Outlook?
- Start software and add Google Takeout mailboxes in GUI.
- The tool displays Takeout mailboxes, select them, and click Next.
- Select PST as a saving option and choose the destination path.
- Click Convert to convert Google Takeout to PST format.
- Google Takeout to PST conversion completed, click OK.
- Lastly, run Outlook Classic and import the resultant PST file. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst) > select the folders to convert > browse a destination > click on Finish.
What We Tested?
We tested both of the workflows and found that Thunderbird workaround is useful for only small mailboxes, but when we tried using it with bulk data it was exhausting. Classic Outlook and New Outlook also differ in how PST can be used. Gmail labels do not map one-to-one folders.
On the other hand, we used the pro solution and it worked smoothly with individual files as well as bulk data. It maintained all the details accurately without modifying or altering any content. This solution is most recommended if you are working on this process to keep your Google Takeout data safe and preserved.
Comparison Between Manual Method and Professional Solution
| Feature | Manual Method | Professional Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Google Takeout > MBOX > Thunderbird > Configure Email Account > Outlook | Google Takeout > PST > Outlook |
| Processing steps | Multiple steps | Simple and quick steps |
| Technical Knowledge | Required | Minimal |
| Extra Tools | Thunderbird + add-on required | No Thunderbird installation required |
| Folder Structure | May need manual organization | Preserves folder hierarchy |
| Bulk Emails | Time-consuming process | Best for handling bulk data |
| Attachments | Supported | Preserved |
| Time | Takes longer time | Fast and quick |
| Cost | Free | Free Trial |
| Best For | Small mailbox and free migration | Large mailbox and easier migration |
Few Queries Asked by Users
Q 1: Why do users convert Google Takeout to PST format?
Because MS Outlook has an import function that supports PST file format. Since MBOX is not supported by Outlook, we can convert MBOX to PST first, and then import the resultant file in Outlook to ensure a continuous workflow.
Q 2: Is Outlook the only destination provided by the software?
No, the software also allows you to convert Google Takeout to PDF, Outlook.com, and more than 30 export formats. Use the free demo version to see all the export destinations.
Q 3: How can I import contacts from Google Takeout to Outlook?
In Outlook Classic, go to the File menu and click on Open & Export >> Import/Export >> Import a VCARD file (.vcf) >> Select the Google Takeout contacts and follow the instructions. It’s done.
Q 4: How do I move the calendar file to Outlook?
Go to the File menu in Outlook Classic and click on Open & Export >> Import/Export >> Import iCalendar or vCalendar file >> Select the Google Takeout calendar.ics file. It’s done.
Final Thoughts
Google Takeout is a free service to save user data from multiple Google applications all at once. It lets you request data from the Google server. But all this data is only available to download in standard formats. So, if you wish to use them in renowned applications, it will be a little troublesome.
We featured a similar troublesome task i.e., import Google Takeout to Outlook. Since Microsoft Outlook does not support Google Takeout MBOX files, you need to convert this file to PST first either manually or using the automated tool. Above we have also discussed the manual method to convert Google Takeout to PST with limitations.
About the Author
