How to Transfer AWS Workmail to Gmail?
If you are planning to migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail but are confused about the right & secure way you are not alone. There are many users who get confused about migrating emails between these platforms especially in case of full mailbox migration without any data loss or missing folder issues.
In my research of this migration process, i have tried many available methods and checked real user experiences that are found in AWS documentation and community discussions. Based on this, i have listed the most feasible ways that can help users to migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail in a more secured way.
This guide will explain the free manual method and the automated methods to migrate the emails of AWS WorkMail to Gmail. I have also highlighted some common issues you may face during migration so that you can handle technical issues such as missing folders, sync errors or incomplete transfer.
Table of Contents
- Why Organizations are Leaving AWS WorkMail?
- How to Add AWS WorkMail to Gmail Account for Free?
- Important Points of Gmail POP Import Method
- How to Migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail Account?
- Real World Migration Example
- Video Tutorial for Better Understanding
- Common Issues Related to AWS WorkMail to Gmail Migration
- Final Words
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why Organizations are Leaving AWS WorkMail?
After the official announcement of the end of support for AWS WorkMail, a lot of AWS WorkMail users have started to plan their migration to Gmail and other platforms. AWS official statement declares that Amazon WorkMail support will end on March 31, 2027.
In my research, i also found an active AWS community discussion with real migration query shared by a user. Below is the attached link to that discussion.
https://docs.aws.amazon.com/workmail/latest/adminguide/workmail-end-of-support.html
However, various users have reported issues while transferring their data from AWS WorkMail to another platforms.
Users faced issues such as IMAP syncing issues during migration, incomplete folder transfer issue, slow syncing of large mailboxes and migration failure for bulk transfer.
These were some of the main reasons most organisations prefer dedicated migration tools or Google supported methods while migrating AWS WorkMail emails to Gmail.
So, let’s discuss two most tried and used way to transfer your complete data from AWS WorkMail to Gmail account.
How to Add AWS Workmail to Gmail Account for Free?
Google itself provides a built-in POP3 import feature that allows users to fetch emails from any other email account such as AWS WorkMail.
Note: POP3 is download only protocol which means it will not sync to your system, only it will download to your system for once and gets deleted from your server.
Step 1. Visit Google sign in page and login with your email account details.
Step 2. Click on the Gear icon located on right side and select See All Settings option.
Step 3. Then look for Accounts & Import tab and choose Add a mail account.
Step 4. Enter your AWS Workmail email address in the shown tab and click Next button.
Step 5. Choose Import emails from my other account (POP3) option as shown below and click Next.
Step 6. Provide your other details such as username, password and POP server details and click Add Account.
Now, Gmail will start importing emails from the AWS Workmail account. It will take a few minutes and it will appear in your Gmail mailbox.
Important Points of the above method (Based on Testing)
During implementing this method, i found that Gmail’s POP import method has following drawbacks;
It imports only Inbox emails.
It does NOT migrate:
- Sent items
- Drafts Custom folders
- Bulk/Junk
That’s why manual method is good for transferring INBOX emails only. Not for complete mailbox migration.
To transfer complete mailbox, the following method is recommended.
How to Migrate AWS Workmail to Gmail Account? (Best for Corporate Admin)
If you need to transfer complete mailbox from your AWS WorkMail to Gmail account then an automated tool can only help you to do that. Advik WorkMail Migration Tool is one such solution that can let you to transfer complete emails with folders like inbox, sent, drafts, spam, etc. Also, you can migrate full mailbox of AWS WorkMail to Gmail with all folders, attachments with an option to transfer selective data as well.
Let’s try to see its working steps;
Note: Use Gmail App Password to sign in.
Steps to Transfer AWS Workmail to Gmail Account
Step 1. Run this software on your system.
Step 2. Choose required mailbox folders of your AWS WorkMail account and click the Convert button.
Step 3. Now select Gmail as a saving option from the given list.
Step 4. Provide your Gmail login credentials such as email address and App password.
Step 5. Click on Convert button to begin the migration process.
All Done! Now sit back and relax the tool will immediately start the process of migration and will export all emails from WorkMail to Gmail account securely. Once the process is complete, the software will display a successful notification with a complete log report.
Watch How to Import AWS Workmail to Gmail
Real World Migration Example
A small business user with an AWS WorkMail account having a mailbox of size around 3.2GB wanted to migrate all emails including Inbox, Sent, Drafts etc to Gmail for better integration with Google Workspace.
They started with the POP3 way of importing emails into Gmail. These methods worked fine but only Inbox emails got transferred. Other folders were missing. Some of the older attachments were also not transferred.
They again tried IMAP syncing, but it was slow and unstable, due to AWS WorkMail some limitations of IMAP syncing during the bulk migration. So, lots of interruptions and re-authentication.
Finally, they tried using professional tool and it successfully transferred emails. They said that, they were able to transfer mailbox, with all the folders, attachments, and original structure in one process. And the results were fast and reliable than manual methods.
Common Issues Related to AWS WorkMail to Gmail Migration
I have analysed the following challenges while transferring email data from AWS WorkMail to Gmail account. Read them to understand it carefully and avoid it.
1. Authentication Error: Gmail migration is not possible if the account details such as email address or passwords are wrong. Also, if app password is not set up in Gmail.
2. Large Mailbox Issue: If your account has large mailboxes then it can lower the migration speed.
3. Lost emails or folders: Manual migration is based on POP method so only Inbox emails will transfer.
4. AWS WorkMail Limits: AWS may limit bulk email transfer activity when you use IMAP syncing heavily.
5. Slow Gmail sync: Gmail indexing is temporary, so you might get an email late.
Final Words
Migration of data is a complex task even more difficult when email transfer is happening between two giant email services such as AWS WorkMail and Gmail. So, this email migration needs secure methods with careful implementation to transfer emails without any difficulties. In this blog, i explained both the tried and tested methods by myself which has given me successful results. However,in my findings, manual method is not reliable as it only transfer INBOX folder which is not sufficient for complete mailbox data transfer. To migrate AWS WorkMail to Gmail with selective folders or complete mailbox, Adviksoftware is a better choice.
So, first analyse your needs and choose the solution as per your requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1. How do I add Workmail to Gmail app?
Ans. Follow the steps below to forward AWS Workmail emails to Gmail.
- Log in to your Gmail account.
- Go to the Gear icon and click on Settings.
- Click on Accounts and Import and select Add a mail account.
- Enter AWS Workmail email address and click Next.
- Type other details of Workmail and click Add Account.
Q 2. Can I migrate the complete AWS Workmail mailbox in a single attempt?
Ans. Yes, the software can transfer all emails from AWS Workmail to Gmail in one go.
Q 3. Can I selectively choose to migrate only recent emails?
Ans. Yes, using the tool, you can migrate specific emails from AWS Workmail to Gmail based on date range, to, from, cc, bcc, etc.
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