How to Import PST to Gmail Account?
Alora Eve | May 20th, 2026 | Data Backup, Outlook
A PST file is a proprietary data file used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, contacts, calendar, and other mailbox items. However, the main drawback of this file format is that it can only be opened in MS Outlook. That’s why users prefer to import PST to Gmail account. However, many Outlook users struggle when trying to access PST data in Gmail account because Gmail does not support .pst files directly.
This article helps the users to migrate their Outlook data file to Google account successfully by manual and automated ways. Here, we will discuss these ways with their pros and cons to keep the security of user’s information. This guide provides the step-by-step ways to perform this task.
Table of Contents
Real Life User Scenario:
I had a PST file of 16GB from my old account that contained over 7 years of crucial business emails. Now, I am using Gmail account for my official work. So, I needed to import this PST file into my Gmail account. Initially, I tried manual Outlook IMAP synchronization method to do it.
Outlook became extremely slow while syncing and I get stuck. Then a friend suggested Advik PST Converter to me to avoid migration failure. The software directly upload entire PST file to Gmail in a few minutes without depending on Outlook synchronization.
Advantages of Going with Gmail
There are several benefits of migrating Outlook PST file into Gmail. Some of them are:
- Remote Access: Data stored in PST files can be accessed only through MS Outlook. Migrating Outlook PST data to Gmail allows access to emails and other mailbox data on any device from anywhere, rather than relying on Outlook.
- Backup: PST files stored locally that can be lost due to system crash, hardware failure, accidental deletion, corruption and more. If user moves PST to Gmail, they can securely store their data in the cloud.
- Advanced Search: Sometimes finding old emails in a large PST file can be difficult. Gmail provides advanced search capabilities to quickly find out emails.
- Integration with Google Services: Gmail is integrated with various Google services like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Meet, Calendar etc. With a Gmail account user can also take benefits of these services.
How to Import PST to Gmail Using GWMMO Tool?
Here, we will use the GWMMO tool for importing.
Note: Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Outlook (GWMMO) is an in-built tool of Google that offers PST to Gmail migration feature.
1. Install and run the GWMMO Tool on your computer.
2. Enter your Gmail email address and click the Continue button.
3. Browse the PST file you want to upload and click Next.
4. Choose the required data that you want to import and click Migrate.
5. The tool will showing you the progress on your screen.
6. When it’s done, a message will pop up. Click OK.
This is how you can add your PST file in Gmail using GWMMO Tool and the Outlook application. However, if your PST file is too large then it takes lot of time to complete the process.
How to Migrate PST to Gmail Using MS Outlook?
This method requires an Outlook installation on your system to import a file file to Gmail. It works in 2 phases. First, you need to configure your Gmail account with Outlook and then import PST file.
- Sign in to Gmail account with your login credentials.
- Go to the Gear icon and click on See All Settings.
- Click on Forwarding and POP/IMAP option.
- Check Enable IMAP option and press Save Changes.
- After that, open MS Outlook application on your system.
- Go to File tab and click on Add Account.
- Select manual setup or additional server types.
- Choose POP or IMAP option.
- Enter your Gmail account details and More Settings.
- Click on Outgoing Server, mark the SMTP option, and use the same settings as my incoming server option.
- Click on Advanced tab and enter Port Number for incoming and outgoing server and press OK.
- Now, it will test account settings if there is any error then it will show otherwise it will configure successfully.
- Again, click on File tab in Outlook.
- Click on Open & Import section and choose Import/Export.
- Select Import from another program or file option in Import/Export window and then press Next button.
- Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) as file type and click Next.
- Click on Browse and choose .pst file from your system.
- Finally, select the recently added Gmail mailbox folder and click Finish button.
This is how Gmail upload PST using Outlook settings. However, configuring Gmail with Outlook isn’t always easy. It seems simple, but it consists of various lengthy steps.
How to Import PST File to Gmail Without Outlook?
The manual methods are helpful for importing but if face any issues with them and you want a simple and direct solution then using the automated tool is an amazing choice. One such tool is the Advik PST File Converter. This little magical wizard is able to import PST to Gmail without Outlook. This standalone application can upload PST files in batches without facing any technical difficulties. Also, it will preserve and maintain the complete folder hierarchy of PST mailbox throughout the process. Thus, it is an ideal way to import emails from PST to Gmail in a few simple clicks.
Download this software and avail of its benefits right away.
Steps to Transfer PST Files to Gmail
- Run the PST to Gmail Migration Tool on your system.
- To add .pst file into the software panel click on Select Files or Select Folder and then press Next.
- Choose the necessary folders and subfolders to import and click Next.
- From 30+ Saving option, choose Gmail.
- Enter your Gmail email address and app password and then click Next button.
- Now, the tool will start importing PST files to Gmail account.
Your selected PST data will now be imported directly into Gmail in minutes. You will be notified when the import is complete.
Now, let’s have a look at the video guide to understand the whole process more easily.
Watch How to Import Outlook PST to Gmail Account
Why Choose PST to Gmail Converter Instead of Manual Methods?
- Bulk Importing: This software comes with two options to add .pst file i.e. Select Files or Select Folder. By using these options, you can import one or more .pst files into Gmail account.
- Preserve Email Components: The software not only imports emails from PST to Gmail but also preserves all email attributes and components.
- Maintains Folder Hierarchy: PST file has multiple folders to store data. When you transfer PST file to Gmail account, it keeps the original structure of mailbox folders and subfolders even after completing the process.
- Selective Data Importing: Once you add PST file to the software, it displays all the folders and subfolders. Here, you can choose and select the desired folders to migrate rather than importing the entire file.
- Import Large Files: There are no file size restrictions with this utility. It can easily transfer large data files without losing a single bit of data.
- Compatible with ANSI & Unicode PST: It supports Unicode and ANSI PST files of Microsoft Outlook 97 to 2021 editions. As a result, you can import any type of PST file with this utility.
Challenges Faced During PST to Gmail Migration
Here are a few common issues that users can face when they try to import Outlook PST file into Gmail account:
- Outlook fails to connect to Gmail if IMAP is disabled in Gmail settings.
- If Gmail credentials are not correct then Google blocks sign-on attempts from Outlook.
- Importing corrupted PST files are not easy and it increase the risk of data loss.
- Outlook and GWMMO tool fail to import large PST files.
- Process takes several hours or days due to large attachments and unstable internet connection.
Final Words
Many users have data in PST files and want to access them in their personal Gmail accounts directly. In that case, they search for a solution to import PST file to Gmail. In this article, we have explained the step-by-step procedure to migrate Outlook PST to Gmail account. Here, we have outlined three ways to perform this import. Read all methods carefully, then decide which is most suitable for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I open PST file in Gmail?
Ans. No, there is no option in Gmail to import PST file. However, you can try the 3 methods explained in this article to import PST in Gmail account.
Q2. How to import PST to Gmail without Outlook?
Ans. Using the GWMMO tool or the PST to Gmail Converter, you can easily import PST to Gmail without Outlook or any other application.
Q3. Can I transfer PST file n its original format?
Ans. Yes, the above-suggested PST to Gmail migration tool import .pst to Gmail without modifying their folder hierarchy and key elements.
Q4. Does this tool support both ANSI and Unicode PST file?
Ans. Yes, the software supports both types of .pst files without any compatibility issue.
Q5. Is it possible to migrate PST Contacts to Gmail Account?
Ans. Yes, the mentioned tool allows you to import PST contacts to Gmail along with complete mailbox folders.
Q6. Can I transfer the Outlook calendar to Gmail?
Ans. Definitely! The automated tool lets you import Outlook Calendar to Gmail easily. You just need to choose the required folders of your Outlook data file.
