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How to Migrate From Zoho Mail to Google Workspace or Gmail

There are many reasons for wanting to migrate email from Zoho Mail to Gmail, from a preference for Google's collaboration and productivity tools to simply changing an email address.

It is possible to transfer emails from Zoho to Gmail or Google Workspace in two ways: automatically and manually. In this article, we explore both methods along with their pros and cons. We also provide recommendations for moving away from one account to the other and answer the most common questions about migrating Zoho Mail emails.

Migrate from Zoho to Google Workspace or personal Gmail automatically

The easy way to transfer Zoho Mail emails to Gmail or Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) is to use VaultMe, an automated app for migrating emails between online accounts. VaultMe allows users to transfer large volumes of data quickly and efficiently while preserving the folder organization of their Zoho emails.

If you are migrating from Zoho to Google Workspace without changing your domain name, VaultMe will also work for your project. For the transfer to work, confirm the ownership of the domain when signing up for Google Workspace but do not activate Gmail. You can activate Gmail by changing MX records after you've copied your emails.

Logos of email service providers supported by VaultMe
VaultMe automates email migration between hundreds of service providers

We recommend migrating Zoho emails automatically to avoid challenges associated with the manual migration process. Pros of VaultMe's automatic process include the following:

  • It preserves formatting, attachments, dates, read/unread status as well as the folder organization of Zoho Mail emails.
  • It is quick and easy to set up.
  • It generates a report at the end of the migration listing all items that have been copied along with their locations before and after the migration.
  • It involves zero manual work!

Cons of the automatic process:

  • Paid service (but worth the price, according to customers' reviews)

To migrate Zoho Mail to Google Workspace or Gmail automatically:

  1. Ensure that IMAP is enabled for your Zoho Mail account.
  2. Navigate to the VaultMe app.
  3. Select IMAP as your source.
  4. Select Google as your destination.
  5. Connect your accounts. For the Zoho account, use the following settings: login — your full email address, host — imap.zoho.eu, port — 933.
  6. Review the totals and proceed to checkout.
  7. Sit back and relax! You can close your browser or even shut down your computer as the app works in the cloud. You'll receive an email in Gmail when the process is complete.
  8. Review the results and download your detailed migration report.
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If you are a small business owner or an administrator responsible for migrating multiple Zoho Mail accounts to Google Workspace, consider using VaultMe for Admins, VaultMe's advanced tool for migrating email. For detailed instructions on preparing for the transition and using VaultMe for Admins as your email migration tool, see our new article: How to Migrate to Google Workspace: VaultMe's Step-by-Step Guide.

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VaultMe will not delete the messages in Zoho Mail or redirect your email. If you are migrating to Google Workspace, you'll need to change MX records to redirect your email to your Gmail account.

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If you have any questions about VaultMe, feel free to email us at support@vaultme.com. We'd be happy to help!

Transfer Zoho Mail emails to Gmail manually

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This is a potentially slow and error-prone method. Back up any critical data and proceed at your own risk.

To migrate Zoho Mail to Gmail or Google Workspace manually:

  1. Install a desktop email client on your computer. You can use Thunderbird, Mailbird, Microsoft Outlook, or any other third-party email application.
  2. Connect your Zoho Mail account to the email client. Use Zoho's IMAP server details to set up a connection.
  3. Export emails from Zoho Mail to your hard drive by downloading the email archive. The exact steps for extracting emails may differ depending on the app, but generally, you should look for the "Export" or "Export messages" menu.
    The menu for exporting email in Outlook for desktop
    Exporting Zoho Mail email in Outlook for Mac
    Depending on the size of your Zoho Mail account, the export process may take somewhere between a couple of minutes and a couple of hours.
  4. Connect your Gmail account to the same email app.
  5. Import the downloaded Zoho Mail archive to Gmail. Again, the steps may differ depending on the app you are using, so look for the "Import" menu or similar. The import process may take hours, sometimes days, or even weeks.
  6. Check the results by signing in to your Gmail account in a browser. If you don't see the results, you may need to repeat the process.

Pros of the manual method:

  • Free

Cons of the manual method:

  • Requires at least some technical knowledge to fix issues that may arise
  • Complex and potentially time-consuming
  • Unreliable and may cause data loss
  • Folder organization may be fully or partially lost
  • Requires many resources (a stable internet connection, ample free storage space on a hard drive, and lots of time)

After you migrate from Zoho Mail

Once you've copied your emails, there are a couple of things that you can do to ensure a smooth transition to the new account. The exact steps depend on whether you've transferred your email to a business class email account (Google Workspace, or formerly G Suite) or a basic Gmail account.

Zoho Mail to Google Workspace / G Suite

If you are moving from Zoho Mail to Google Workspace without changing an email address, remember to update your MX records after the migration so that all new emails go to Google Workspace and not Zoho Mail.

If you are changing your email address, you don't have to change MX records. However, you may find the additional recommendations for basic Gmail accounts (below) useful.

Zoho Mail to a personal Gmail account

  1. Set up automated email forwarding from Zoho Mail to Gmail.

    If you intend to keep your Zoho Mail account at least for a while, consider setting up your Zoho account to forward new emails to Gmail. This way, if someone sends you a message to a Zoho Mail address, you'll receive it in Gmail. For instructions, see Zoho Mail's help page. Note, however, that the forwarding rules will stop working if you cancel and delete your Zoho Mail account.

  2. Inform your contacts.

    Remember to notify your contacts of your new email address. You can do that by sending an email from a Zoho Mail account and including all of your contacts in a BCC.

  3. Update your email address in all online accounts.
    If your Zoho Mail email address is linked to different online accounts (such as social media accounts, online banking, etc.), you will need to replace it with your new Gmail email address.

  4. Recreate email filters, labels, and automated rules in Gmail.
    For more information about how labels work in Gmail, see this article: Create labels to organize Gmail.

  5. Reauthorize third-party apps and devices linked to your GoDaddy to use your Gmail account.

  6. Update email settings on your mobile devices.

  7. Update your payment services.

    If your Zoho Mail address is linked to payment platforms such as Google Pay, ensure it's updated.

  8. Close your Zoho Mail account.

    For more information about how to do that, go to Zoho's help center: Close account.

Frequently asked questions about Zoho Mail to Gmail migrations

Can I migrate from Zoho to Gmail?

Yes. You can move to a new email address while keeping your emails. If you are planning to move to Google Workspace, you can keep the same address you've used for Zoho Mail. The instructions provided in this article will help you transfer your Zoho Mail email history to a new Gmail or Google Workspace account.

How do I redirect or forward Zoho emails to Gmail?

It is possible to forward Zoho Mail email to Gmail. For instructions, see Zoho's help article. However, if you no longer need your Zoho Mail address, you can migrate to Gmail and take all your Zoho Mail emails with you. If you are migrating to Google Workspace and intend to keep using your old email address, you can change MX records after the migration to redirect your email to Gmail.

How do I import Zoho email to Google Workspace?

To automatically import Zoho emails to Gmail, connect your two accounts to VaultMe and start a migration (this is a paid option). To import them manually, export the archive from Zoho Mail and import it into Gmail using the instructions provided in this article.

Can I use my Zoho Mail in Gmail?

Gmail offers its users the ability to check and send emails as a different account. To allow Gmail to check your email from Zoho Mail, follow this instruction: Send emails from a different address or alias. To send emails as a Zoho Mail account, use the following instructions to set up your Gmail account: Add another email account on your computer. However, note that this approach has limitations and may not always work adequately.

Conclusion

Migrating from Zoho Mail to Gmail or Google Workspace may be necessary for various reasons. This article provides insights into the migration process and outlines the two methods, highlighting their pros and cons.

If you value ease of use and reliability, VaultMe's service is worth considering. But manually transferring your Zoho Mail emails might be the right path if you prefer a more hands-on approach and have the necessary technical skills.

Whether you're a business upgrading to Google Workspace or an individual migrating to a personal Gmail account, this guide provides you with the knowledge needed for a successful transition.

If you are tasked with migrating your organization's data from Zoho Mail to Google Workspace, use VaultMe's detailed guide for preparing for the transition and transferring Zoho Mail emails: How to Migrate to Google Workspace: VaultMe's Step-by-Step guide.

If you are looking for an email migration tool, explore the options outlined in our article: How to Choose an Email Migration Tool.

If you want to migrate from Zoho Mail to Microsoft 365, review VaultMe's helpful guide: How to Migrate to Microsoft 365.