adminWe all must have at least a Gmail account, almost using it every day. This shows how famous and important Gmail is nowadays. It holds 30% of the market share in 2024 (Apple being at the top with 54%), giving it second place in the list of Email Client market share in 2024. Its unique features and functionality make its market grow continuously every day. In 2024, it facilitated nearly 1.8 billion users worldwide.
Outlook is also a very popular Email Client which rank 3rd on the list of email market share. Almost 4% of users see Outlook as a useful email client. Compared to Gmail, it is not very significant. Its user count is only 13% of Gmail. Thus, day by day people are switching from Outlook to another email client for better features and something new to try. Keep reading till the end to find out how to export PST to Gmail from Outlook.
Why Gmail is better than Outlook
People always want something new and interesting. Above all, they want something that costs less. Gmail provides services in cheap rates while a user has to buy a subscription plan to access complete features of Outlook. People often choose Gmail over Outlook for various reasons, depending on personal preferences, features, and their specific needs. Here’s why Gmail is preferred by many users over Outlook:
- User-friendly interface: Gmail’s interface looks more lively, attractive and colorful. It offers you to customize themes and layouts which makes the experience more personalized. It is easy to navigate and appeals to both newbies and advanced users.
- Storage and Cloud Integration: Gmail offers 15 GB of free cloud storage on Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos which is higher than Outlook typically provides for free accounts. Users can send large files via Google Drive directly from Gmail, eliminating size restrictions for email attachments.
- Accessibility and Mobility: Gmail account is synced across devices, ensuring a consistent experience on desktop, mobile and tablet. Gmail allows users to read and compose emails offline, which is particularly useful for users without consistent internet access. The Gmail web client is considered faster and more responsive compared to Outlook’s web version for many users.
- Free Features and Updates: Gmail offers features like Smart Compose and Smart Reply for efficient email writing, Email Scheduling to send emails later. It auto corrects the mistakes done by the user.
- Security and Reliability: Google ensures that its users data is fully secure and protected from any outside attempt to hacking or spamming. It incorporates some measures:
- 2-Step Verification: Gmail supports two-factor authentication methods, including Google Authenticator and security keys.
- AI-Driven Protection: Gmail actively scans for phishing attempts, malicious links, and attachments to protect users data.
- Uptime and Reliability: Google’s infrastructure ensures that Gmail has minimal downtime.
Methods for Exporting Outlook PST Files to Gmail
To migrate from Outlook to Gmail that is export PST to Gmail, you have to Export your PST files from Outlook to Gmail. PST files are the storage files that store Outlook’s data like Emails, attachments, Calendars, Contacts, Tasks etc. There are several steps that you can follow to achieve your target.
Method 1: Use Microsoft Outlook to export PST to Gmail
Microsoft Outlook can be used as a tool to export your PST file to Gmail. The concept is to configure the Gmail account in Outlook and import the PST file in it. Once imported, Outlook will sync the file with the Gmail.
1. Enable IMAP settings in Gmail: Go to settings in Gmail > Forwarding and POP/IMAP. In the IMAP access, click “Enable IMAP”.
2. Enable a 2-step verification. Go to Manage my Google Accounts settings > Security tab > 2-step verification. Verify your phone number and under App password, generate a password for Outlook. Keep this password in separately.
3. Add Gmail to Outlook: Open Outlook, navigate to File then to Add Account. Enter your Name and Gmail ID. Enter the password that is generated by Google account in the password section.
4. Import your PST file in newly added Gmail Account. Go to file > Import/Export > Import from another program or file and click Next. Click Outlook Data File (.pst) and browse from the location where you saved your file. Select the Gmail account as the destination to import. Click Finish to start the process.
5. Wait for Synchronization: The data from the PST file will be imported to your Gmail account in Outlook. Outlook will then synchronize with Gmail via IMAP, uploading the imported data to Gmail’s servers. The Process may take some time depending on the size of the PST file and internet speed.
Method 2: Using PST to Gmail Converter wizard
The WebbyAcad PST converter software is a tool to import your PST file to Gmail. It directly imports your PST files without any passkey or authentication.
- Open the software. Click on “Add File” and browse your PST file.
2. Double-click the Inbox checkbox to review the emails you want to export to Gmail. You can selectively choose emails also by clicking on them while holding the CTRL key.
3. Select Gmail from “Select Export Option”. Enter your Gmail credentials like Gmail Third Party app password along with port number and host ID. To generate third-party app password, go to google “Manage your account” and search ‘App Passwords’ in the search bar. Google will ask for your gmail password and will generate a temporary 16-character password. Copy it and paste it into the software’s password section. Click Sign In.
4. The software will validate the information you provided and will start the import process as soon as it establishes the connection with Gmail. Wait for the import to finish. The time taken depends on file size and connection speed. A success message will pop up after the import process is done successfully.
Which method is more appropriate?
The Microsoft Outlook method and Converter Software methods are both good for serving your purpose. But if we analyze critically, the Microsoft Outlook method involves several steps, permissions, and verifications to carry out the operation. Obviously, it is necessary for safety purposes but all these steps have to be done by the user. If any of the steps is done incorrectly, user may encounter errors or unnecessary interruptions. Such hassle can be avoided by using the converter. It provides a smooth path for the process without any worries. All the user has to provide is the PST file and the login details of the Gmail account. The rest work is done by the software.
Conclusion
At last, the conclusion is that there are numerous other methods to export PST to Gmail which we haven’t taken into account. A user may go with any one of them. However, those methods may be lengthy and tedious. Only if a user who has complete information about the process is suggested to do that. The method we provided here is tested and proven by the professionals. There is slightly any chance of any type of mistake. If a user regularly requires importing or converting PST files, he should try the Software. For those who want to import once, the free Outlook method is best for them.
