How to Migrate Emails from Office 365 to iCloud? 3 Easy Methods
Quick Answer: You can migrate emails from Office 365 to iCloud using Apple’s native Import Messages feature with iCloud, via drag and drop after configuring into an email client like Apple Mail/Outlook or via a specialized Microsoft 365 to iCloud migration tool.
Students, departing employees, freelancers and even individual users need to transfer Office 365 emails to iCloud before leaving the institution or when switching to the Apple environment.
The most suitable way for you depends upon the number of mailboxes you are dealing with, the mailbox size and the device you are using Mac or Windows.
Note: This guide covers how to move Office 365 emails to iCloud accounts with attachments, email attributes while preserving the folder hierarchy. Moving Contacts and calendars from Office 365 to iCloud require you to sync separately.
Today, the demand for cloud services is increasing every year as big companies like Microsoft and Apple upgrade their Office 365 and iCloud to meet the user’s needs. Microsoft 365, developed a cloud platform which you can use to improve productivity, collaboration and communication of your business. It is compatible with any professional environments offering advanced features, cloud storage and easy integration with Windows-based devices.
Whereas, iCloud+ is Apple’s premium cloud service that provides more features and security than the basic free features. It is a great way for storing thousands of photos and downloading data from multiple Apple devices. That’s why many people are switching to iCloud+, the same as this user below.
User Query
I have been using Office 365 for the past two years but now I want to migrate Office 365 to iCloud Mail without losing the crucial mailboxes. I have recently purchased a MacBook Pro laptop with iCloud+ with 200 GB storage. Hence, now I want to cancel my Office 365 subscription after completing the Microsoft 365 to iCloud migration process. Please suggest a professional solution to help me!
Not only this user, there are many people who want to add their Microsoft 365 account in iCloud. So, let’s see what are the reasons behind migrating your Office 365 account.
Why Do You Need to Transfer O365 to iCloud?
- If you want to move your Office 365 data to Apple account, iCloud is the best way. Because it easily integrates your data with apple devices.
- iCloud+ pays more attention in data protection. Although Microsoft 365 also offers you great security features. But, for personal privacy iCloud is the top of the O365.
- For business activities, Office 365 is the best. But, for a personal purpose, iCloud will be very suitable.
- Those who don’t want complicated and advanced features of Microsoft 365. iCloud is great because of its simple and sober functions.
So, for your personal needs and for easy integration with Apple devices. Users choose iCloud over Office 365. If you are also thinking of switching your account. Then, we found the methods from the internet. Which will help you to move your data.
Choose the Right Office 365 to iCloud Email Migration Method
For individual users migrating a single Office 365 mailbox to iCloud account, Apple’s built-in Import Messages feature can be the most reliable solution. But for users needing more control & want to better organize their destination Microsoft 365 mailboxes Apple Mail or Outlook can also be used. For organizations, IT teams where multiple users are involved when moving to iCloud for businesses a dedicated solution is required. Here is quick comparison between the methods:
| Aspect | Apple’s Import Messages | Using Email Client | Specialized Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batch Migration Support | Single Account | Can help merge multiple mailboxes into one destination @icloud.com account | Multiple user accounts – with auto mapping |
| Data Transfers | Emails + Attachments | Emails + Attachments | Emails + Attachments + Contacts & Calendars + Metaproperties |
| Preserved Folder Hierarchy | Yes | Has to be maintained manually | Yes, with both folder & subfolder structure |
| Technical Difficulty | Low | Medium | Low |
| Added Cost | No additional cost | No additional cost | Paid Solution |
| Supported Device | Via web browser | Depends upon email client used | Mac & Windows |
Prerequisites to Migrate Office 365 Emails to iCloud
For a seamless transfer of Office 365 emails to iCloud account without any errors, meet the following requirements:
- Verified credentials of your Microsoft 365 (Office 365) and iCloud Mail accounts. For the iCloud account you may also need app-password for configuration in external software.
- The destination iCloud account must have required storage. Free accounts only have 5GB of quota, you should either upgrade to iCloud + (personal user) or provide an apt license if working with iCloud for businesses.
- Users are required to connect to the internet at all times with a recommended speed of 10–25 Mbps for interruption free connection to both servers.
Method 1: Apple’s Native Import Feature to Migrate O365 to iCloud
Apple has an in-built Import Messages option that lets you directly move your Office emails to the iCloud account. You can carry out this migration from your Mac, Windows and even iOS/iPad devices. An added advantage is that your data remains within the native system.
Note: If you are using Apple’s built-in Import Messages feature to move emails from Office 365 to iCloud Account, via iPhone or iPad you will need iOS 17/iPadOS 17 or later.
Follow Along Instructions on iPhone or iPad
- Go to the Settings App on iPhone or iPad.
- Click on Your Name and then go to iCloud.
- Open the iCloud Mail tab and then click “Import Messages”.
- Enter your Microsoft 365 email address and sign in to your Microsoft 365 account.
Follow Along Instructions on Mac, Windows, or Any Browser
- Sign in to iCloud Mail using your Apple ID through icloud.com/mail in a web-browser like Safari/Chrome or Edge.
- Go to Settings and then Import Messages.
- Sign in to your Office Account and begin Import.
- Once the migration is complete, Apple creates a new mailbox folder with your imported Office 365 email address so you can easily search and keep everything organised.
Important: The process is the complete transfer of emails and not just active sync. After migration using any method the future incoming emails will not continue to appear on the iCloud account. For that you may need to set up forwarding.
The only downside of this method is that you cannot selectively choose the folder and it can take several hours before you see the imported emails from the Office 365 account under the iCloud.
Method 2: Drag and Drop to Migrate Emails from Office 365 to iCloud
Using an email client like Apple Mail (on Mac) or Outlook (on Mac & Windows), lets you connect to both your source & destination account under one application via IMAP. Email between them can simply be moved via drag and drop – making it a suitable free manual solution. This offers users selectivity and offers instant transfer as compared to the naive tool. You can use any email client based on your level of familiarity.
Before starting to move Microsoft 365 emails to iCloud account via email client ensure both are configured within the application.
Here are the generic follow along steps which may differ based on the application:
- Open your preferred email client Apple Mail/ Outlook.
- Go to the Office 365 mailbox and open the folder from which you want to transfer emails to iCloud.
- In both the email client you can drag and drop individual/bulk select emails, entire custom folders but not default mailboxes like Inbox, Sent or Archive. For them you have to open the folder, select all emails via Ctrl+A or Cmd+A and then drag & drop.
- Drag and drop the chosen emails to the appropriate folder for your iCloud Mail account.
- Wait for the sync to be completed and repeat the process for all the required folders.
Limitations:
- In order to maintain folder hierarchy you will have to manually create folders under the destination account.
- Can be extremely time-consuming when dealing with larger number of emails.
Export Microsoft 365 to iCloud with Professional Software
For your better migration BitRecover Office 365 Backup Tool is an excellent toolkit. This utility easily and directly moves your emails and other data from Microsoft 365. Users do not have to worry about losing their data as it preserves your original data and maintains folder hierarchy. It works on both Windows and Mac OS, so you can easily download it and export your data. Next, we are going to provide you with the working process of the software.
Note: Free version of Office 365 to iCloud Migration Tool allows transferring a maximum of 25 emails with all associated attributes from O365 to iCloud accounts. It works the same as pro version hence this is much more useful before upgrading it to the pro edition.
Instructions to Migrate Emails from Office 365 to iCloud
- Start the suggested tool, enter your Office 365 email address, and press Login.
- Fill Microsoft 365 account password and hit on the Sign In button.
- Thereafter, the software will start uploading O365 folders in GUI.
- Use check or uncheck option for selecting required Office 365 folders.
- Set advanced filters for transferring specific O365 emails to iCloud.
- After that, choose IMAP Server from the list of saving options.
- Enter iCloud credentials with IMAP details i.e., IMAP Host and Port Numbers.
- Now press Backup to migrate email from Office 365 to iCloud Mail.
Follow these steps to properly transfer your emails in iCloud. It also offers you many excellent features, as we mentioned below.
Microsoft 365 to iCloud Migration Tool Features
Migrate All Data: This software gives permission to migrate Office 365 to iCloud Mail including emails, contacts, and calendars together with all associated items.
Multiple Filters: The tool has several advanced filter options to transfer Office 365 to iCloud between a date range, by email address, and by email subject.
Maintains Email Attributes: O365 to iCloud Migrator preserves all email properties i.e. To, Cc, From, Subject, Signature, Date, Time, Heading, Body Text, and all.
Select Folders: Users can check or uncheck required Office 365 folders in software GUI for transferring them to iCloud account.
Log Report: This application automatically creates a log report file that has information about migrated data.
Quick Checklist After You Migrate Emails from Office 365 to iCloud
After the migration is complete you must not directly get rid of your source account.
- Verify if the emails are properly imported from Microsoft 365 to iCloud Mail by trying to access the account in multiple devices or applications on the web, mobile, or desktop email client.
- Verify if the total number of emails and the mailbox size in the source Microsoft 365 account is equal to what’s migrated in the destination iCloud account.
- Check the accessibility of a few emails. If you are able to open them, whether they contain attachments and header details.
- You can also set up email forwarding from your Office 365 account to iCloud to continue receiving new emails directly in the iCloud account.
Have Any Doubts? We Have Solutions!
Q: Which is better: Microsoft 365 or iCloud?
Both Microsoft 365 and iCloud are popular choices serving different purposes. Microsoft 365 is a productivity suite along with key tools like Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams. However, iCloud is Apple’s cloud platform that offers seamless sync over mail, photos, contacts, calendars, and files. Whereas Microsoft 365 accounts are paid, iCloud also offers up to 5 GB of free storage.
Q: Will these methods also transfer Office 365 contacts & calendars to the iCloud account?
No, the method discussed here is to migrate Office 365 email attachments and mailbox folders to the iCloud account. Read more to sync Office 365 calendar with iCloud.
Q: How do I move emails from Office 365 to iCloud for free?
You can use the direct in-built solution of Apple Mail’s native import message or migrate via an available email client like Apple Mail or Outlook.
Q: Does your software allow to migrate email from Office 365 to iCloud+ Mail custom domain account?
Yes, this is a perfect utility for transferring Office 365 emails to iCloud+ Mail as well as an iCloud Mail account.
Q: I have only Office 365 user account; can I use your software?
Yes, this application is compatible with both Office 365 admin as well as user accounts without any special permissions.
Q: Can I transfer Office 365 to iCloud including email attachments?
Yes, this application allows to migrate email from Office 365 to iCloud with attachments. Even the tool has an isolated option to download attachments from Office 365 account.
Final Words
In this article, we have discussed two completely different ways to migrate email from Office 365 to iCloud Mail. You can use the free manual method but you may have issues, using them. However, the professional tool is recommended by many experts because it is simpler to use and overcomes many of the limitations of manual methods.
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