AS YOU'RE reading this, I’m guessing that you’re probably checking on multiple Gmail inboxes. If you’re not, then count yourself lucky. But for those out there who are still checking on one, two or three inboxes and are wishing that it can all be consolidated into just one email address, this is the tutorial for you.
Keep in mind that this is basically migrating all your messages from one Gmail inbox to another Gmail inbox of your choice. And, yes, I also realize that there’s really not a need for this if you’re using an email app like Spark or Outlook or Thunderbird (is this still alive?). However, not everyone prefers to install their email app of choice on both their PC and mobile device. And most users also just logon to Gmail and forgo the use-an-email-app solution.
BIG NOTE HERE: When I said "migrating," this means that all your messages from your original/source email inbox will be completely moved because we’ll be using the POP email protocol for this. What is the POP protocol? Here’s a nice explainer video I found.
Also, please be reminded that you’ll need to do this while logged in using your PC. You need to be using the desktop version of Gmail in your browser rather than the mobile version. Doing so makes things easier to follow along.
Let’s get this started, shall we?
Log on to your Gmail account that you want to move/migrate messages from. Let’s call this your Source. Once logged in, look for the gear icon on the upper right side. It should be just below your profile photo. Click on that gear icon then go to Settings.
On the Settings page, click on the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab on the top portion of the Settings page.
The second option there is for POP download. In that section click on the radio button for Enable POP for all email.
On #2, select the option you want Gmail to do about the messages once POP access is enabled. You can either keep Gmail’s copy in the inbox, archive those messages, delete Gmail’s copy of the message or just tell Gmail to mark the messages as “Read.”
Once you’re done with those, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Save Changes.
Log on to your other/new Gmail account where you want the messages from your Source to go to. Let’s call this your Destination. After logging in, go the Settings page by clicking on the gear icon on the upper right side.
On the Settings page, click on the Accounts and Import tab on the top portion of the Settings page.
Once you’re in the Accounts and Import section, look for the Check mail from other accounts section. It should be the fourth one down.
Click on the Add a mail account option then enter the address of your Source -- the Gmail account where you’ll be getting the messages from. Click Next after you’ve done that.
Click and select Import email from my other account (POP3).
Input your password for the Source account and make sure you put a check on the Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail option. I’ll leave it up to your decision with the other options.
Click on the Add Account button.
On the next screen for options, I’ll leave it all up to your preferences.
BIG NOTE ALSO HERE: If you’re using 2-factor authentication for your Gmail (and you should be using that, in fact), you’ll need to secure an app password from the Source account. You do that by logging on to Google Account for the Source then you go to Security then Signing in to Google then App passwords. Once you’re there, select the device and app where you’ll be needing the app password for then click on Generate.
From here, Google will just need to verify that you own both email accounts. Basically, you’ll be receiving verification emails from Google to confirm that you have access to the accounts. All you have to do is click on that verification link inside the email.
And that’s it! You’re pretty much done here!