How to Import Thunderbird Emails to Gmail Account Free?

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: May 9th, 2024 • 8 Min Read

Summary: This write-up describes the top 4 tried and tested methods to import Thunderbird email to Gmail account with attachments using free and professional methods. Just continue to read this article and learn the complete steps to transfer emails from Thunderbird to Gmail.

In this digital era, users receive email messages from desktop clients and web-based email services to communicate and store their personal and professional data. As it is, both Thunderbird and Gmail are widely used by clients around the world for sending and receiving emails.

However, due to some business or personal work requirements, users continuously want to import emails from Thunderbird to Gmail account. But they don’t know how to do this, that’s why we are here to help you.

This article provides complete details on these mentioned topics, you can click to scroll down to read more about any specific topic.

Why Migrate Thunderbird to Gmail Account?

Access Anywhere:

Thunderbird is a desktop-based client while Gmail is a cloud-based email service, which is the main difference between both. At present time users are switching from desktop-based clients to cloud-based email services because they can be accessed from anywhere at any time.

Universal Device Access:

Thunderbird is limited to desktop use, whereas Gmail can be accessed on any device, including computers, smartphones, and tablets. Even all Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS users can use Gmail while Thunderbird has limited access.

Crash Issues:

Some users face issues when they configure their email ID with Thunderbird and Thunderbird crashes. Hence, users prefer to import Thunderbird emails to Gmail that never crashed.

Enhanced Accessibility:

Many computer users have a Gmail account for accessing Google services, and they might want to migrate from Thunderbird to Gmail to access their old and new emails in one place.

Reduced Maintenance:

If you are a Thunderbird user, then you need to download its updates to get enhanced security. While Gmail is a maintenance-free online email service so you can access it directly using any web browser.

Recommended: Reliable Ways to Migrate Thunderbird Mail to Office 365

Import Thunderbird Emails to Gmail Using IMAP

Stage1: Enable IMAP in Gmail Account

  1. First, sign in to your Gmail and choose Settings.
  2. Then, select the See All Settings option.
    See all settings
  3. Choose Forwarding and POP/IMAP and select Enable IMAP.
    Gmail settings to enable IMAP
  4. Click the Save Changes button.
    Save changes

Stage2: Add Gmail Account to Thunderbird

  1. Launch the Thunderbird client on your computer.
  2. Select Tools and then choose Account Settings.
    Thunderbird account settings
  3. Next, choose Add Mail Account from Account Actions.
    Add mail account
  4. Type your name, Gmail ID & password, and click Continue.
    Gmail credentials
  5. After that, enable the IMAP option and tap the Done button.
    Account configured
  6. See the account successfully created, and click the Finish button.
    Account created successfully

Stage3: Copy Thunderbird Emails to Configured Gmail

  1. Select the required emails from Thunderbird and right-click.
  2. Choose Copy To >> Configured Gmail Account >> Specific Folder.
    Import Thunderbird to Gmail
  3. Then, selected Thunderbird emails will migrate to the Gmail folder.
  4. Lastly, login to your Gmail account and see imported mailboxes.

Connect Thunderbird to Gmail via Accounts and Import Option

  1. First, login to your Gmail and select Settings.
    Settings
  2. Then, choose the See All Settings option from Quick Settings.
    See all settings
  3. Afterward, select the Accounts and Import option.
    Accounts and import
  4. Click on Import Mail and Contacts to stay tuned.
    import mail and contacts
  5. Here type Thunderbird configured account and press Continue.
    Thunderbird email address
  6. Now sign in to the Thunderbird configured account and tap Continue.
    Continue
  7. Then, accept the terms and conditions for successful authentication.
    Authentication successful
  8. Enable Import Mail and Contacts option, then press click Start Import.
    Start import
  9. Thunderbird emails to Gmail are being imported, hit OK.
    Transfer emails from Thunderbird to Gmail
  10. Thunderbird to Gmail migration is beginning which takes up to 2 days.
    Thunderbird to Gmail migration

Forward Email from Thunderbird to Gmail with Built-In Feature

  1. Run Thunderbird client on your machine.
  2. Open an email to forward to your Gmail account.
  3. Then, choose Forward and enter your Gmail email address.
  4. After that, press the Send button to forward the email.
  5. Next, forward another Thunderbird email to Gmail.

Limitations of Using IMAP, Import Account, and Forwarding

  • IMAP Method: This is a lengthy and time-consuming technique as we need to complete 3 different phases to import Thunderbird emails to Gmail. Also, this method requires knowledge about IMAP Enable, Account Configuration, and Copy To options.
  • Accounts and Import: You may receive various errors while adding a source account by utilizing the Accounts and Import option. Also, you will need to complete the successful authentication. It requires permission to accept terms & conditions and takes up to 2 days for completion.
  • Forward: This manual method allows you to forward email from Thunderbird to Gmail one by one. Hence, this is mandatory to repeat the same steps various times for forwarding multiple emails. However, you can also set it to automatically forward email from Thunderbird to Gmail, but this option will forward only new upcoming emails.

Read Next: Complete Guide to Export Thunderbird to EML

Expert Solution to Import Thunderbird to Gmail in Batch

Use BitRecover Thunderbird Converter Software to migrate Thunderbird to Gmail within a few simple steps. The software has multiple advanced features and capabilities like it supports all versions of Thunderbird.

Also, the software permits to transfer emails from Thunderbird to Gmail in bulk with attachments and other attributes. There is no need to download or install any third-party application like Thunderbird because the software has the power to automatically add the Thunderbird profile data.

These kinds of amazing features are mentioned below, which allow users to import emails from Thunderbird to Gmail with mailbox folders and components.

Mandatory Pre-Migration Settings

The suggested software will ask for Gmail account credentials in the upcoming section, so users must first create an app password to use it rather than a normal password. Please enable IMAP access and create an app password for Gmail as mentioned below:

Pre-Migration Settings

How to Transfer Thunderbird Emails to Gmail? Steps

  1. Start the software and add Thunderbird profile data automatically.
    Add Thunderbird profile data
  2. Thereafter, choose Thunderbird mailboxes and press the Next button.
    Select Thunderbird mailboxes
  3. Choose Gmail as a saving format from the saving options.
    Choose Gmail
  4. After that, fill your Gmail account credentials (email address and password).
    Gmail credentials
  5. Next, press Convert to import Thunderbird to Gmail account.
    Import Thunderbird emails to Gmail
  6. Now login to your Gmail account to access imported mailboxes.
    Login to your Gmail

What Are the Key Features of Software?

  • The tool can automatically add the Thunderbird profile data from the default storage location to migrate from Thunderbird to Gmail.
  • Users can import emails from Thunderbird to Gmail accounts in Bulk without any file size limitations.
  • Transfer emails from Thunderbird to Gmail account including attachments and email components like email header (Bcc, Cc, To, From, Date, Subject, etc.) and email body (formatting, colors, text, font size, image, etc.).
  • The software provides dual options to add single and multiple Thunderbird files using select files and select folder options.
  • There is no need to do any import/export process, users can directly import Thunderbird to Gmail account.
  • The software is capable to migrate data from all Thunderbird folders, including Inbox, Sent, Trash, Bin, Draft, and other created labels.
  • The tool offers several advanced filter options to migrate Thunderbird to Gmail within a specific date range, email address, and subject.

Conclusion

After reading this blog post anyone can import Thunderbird emails to Gmail easily. Here we have mentioned several manual and professional methods. The manual methods are straightforward, but not easy for everyone because there are some limitations and restrictions. So, just download this recommended software to migrate Thunderbird to Gmail.

The tool comes with a free demo edition which is helpful for evaluation before purchasing the full editions. Users can test this application for Thunderbird to Gmail migration. After complete satisfaction grab its license keys, which are available at affordable prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1: How do I import Thunderbird mail to Gmail?

  1. Configure Gmail with Thunderbird using IMAP.
  2. Select specific Gmail emails in Thunderbird.
  3. Right-click and choose the Copy To option to continue.
  4. Choose a Specific folder from configured Gmail.
  5. Login to your Gmail account and see imported emails.

Q 2: Can you sync Thunderbird with Gmail?

Yes, choose Tools >> Account Settings >> Account Actions >> Add Mail Account option. Then, type Gmail credentials and click Continue. Then, choose the IMAP option and click Done to start synching Thunderbird with your Gmail account.


Q 3: How do I automatically forward email from Thunderbird to Gmail?

You can sign in to your email account which is configured with your Thunderbird. After that, choose Settings and add Gmail as a forwarding address for upcoming emails.


Q 4: Can I use Thunderbird with Gmail?

Yes, Thunderbird allows you to configure multiple POP and IMAP accounts so you can use Thunderbird with Gmail and other cloud-based email services.


Q 5: Is it possible to import contacts from Thunderbird to Gmail?

Yes, first export contacts from Thunderbird and then import exported contacts back to Gmail manually. You can also follow these steps to import Thunderbird contacts to Gmail.