How to Import Google Takeout to Outlook Safely? Easy Tips
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 import 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, the workflow may differ as Microsoft currently supports opening PST files but is not allowing users to import into a mailbox.
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!
Google Takeout exports mailboxes in MBOX format. But MS Outlook supports only PST (Personal Storage Table) files in its import functionality.
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 Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and other versions.
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 Takeout mailbox data will be available in the configured Thunderbird email account.
#3 Stage: Add Configured Account in Outlook
- Start MS Outlook on your machine and choose “File“.
- Then, select “Info” and choose the “Add Account” option.
- Enter the Thunderbird email address and tap “Connect“.
- Enter account password for authentication and press “Done“.
- Outlook will start setting up a local copy of your mailbox.
- Lastly, hit “Send/Receive All Folders” for completion.
Afterward, you can see Google Takeout data in Outlook including complete mailbox items and components. This is a 100% free technique to add Google Takeout to Outlook profile.
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 MS Outlook and import the resultant PST file.
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 pro solution and it worked smoothly with individual files as well as bulk metadata. It maintained all the original data. 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 >> Thunderbird >> 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: Does Outlook support Google Takeout mail files?
No, Outlook does not support Google Takeout mailboxes.
Q 2: Why do users convert Google Takeout to PST format?
Because MS Outlook has an import function that supports PST file format. Since MBOX and PST are both mailbox-type files, we can convert MBOX to PST first, and then import the resultant file in Outlook.
Q 3: 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 4: How can I import contacts from Google Takeout to Outlook?
Go to the File menu in MS Outlook and click on Open & Export >> Import/Export >> Import a VCARD file (.vcf) >> Select the Google Takeout contacts.vcf file. It’s done.
Q 5: How do I move the calendar file to Outlook?
Go to the File menu in MS Outlook 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. Above we have also discussed the manual method to convert Google Takeout to PST with limitations.
