How to Import MSG Files to Gmail? 2 Easy Methods
Microsoft Outlook saves individual email messages as MSG files that include the message body, sender and recipient information, subject, date, and attachments. But Gmail does not natively open Microsoft Outlook MSG files. If you want to import MSG files to Gmail or open MSG files in Gmail then you have to take the intermediate way. You can either move the messages via Outlook or use an automatic MSG to Gmail converter.
In this guide we describe both approaches, limitations and how to verify the imported emails after the process is done.
Quick Answer: Can Gmail Read MSG Files Directly?
No, Gmail doesn’t natively open Outlook MSG files. Gmail can’t just open a .msg file like it would a supported email message, because MSG is a message format specific to Microsoft Outlook. To open MSG emails in Gmail, you need to transfer or convert them with the help of an appropriate intermediate application or tool.
For a small number of MSG files, manual Outlook conversion could be sufficient. The automated solution can make the process easy for multiple MSG files.
Table of Contents
- Why Import MSG Files to Gmail?
- Methods to Import MSG Files to Gmail
- Method 1: Open MSG Files in Gmail Using Outlook
- Limitations of the Manual Method
- Method 2: Import MSG Files to Gmail Automatically
- Manual vs. Automated Solution
- How to Verify Imported MSG Emails in Gmail
- Video Tutorial
- Why Use an MSG to Gmail Converter?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Why Import MSG Files to Gmail?
MSG files are usually created when an Outlook user saves individual email messages. If you have important MSG files that you have accumulated and want to access them through Gmail, then importing them can be useful for a number of reasons:
Read Outlook emails in Gmail: Read imported messages from your Gmail mailbox instead of opening individual.msg files.
Centralize important emails Have important Outlook emails available in your Gmail account.
Access emails on devices: After successful import to Gmail, you can access supported messages using Gmail on supported devices.
Migrate selected emails: Copy individual Outlook messages to Gmail without moving the entire mailbox.
The best approach depends on how many MSG files you have, whether or not Outlook is available and how much manual work
Methods to Import MSG Files to Gmail
There are two practical approaches covered in this guide:
If you want to import some MSG emails to Gmail then the Outlook-based method is the right choice. Moderately easy to use, but it usually requires more manual steps and has fewer options for efficiently working with multiple MSG files.
If you have a number of MSG files to import into Gmail, an automated converter is a better choice. The ease of use depends on the software you choose but dedicated converters make it a lot easier and may offer additional options for processing large quantities of MSG emails.
The manual approach can work when you have a small number of messages and a compatible Outlook setup. An automated converter is generally more convenient when you need to process many MSG files.
Method 1: Import MSG Files to Gmail Using Outlook
Using Outlook email client, you can upload email messages from MSG to Gmail account. Follow the below-given steps to do it-
- Launch the Outlook application on your system.
- Go to the File tab and click on Add Account.
- Enter your Gmail email address and click on Connect.
- Type the password of your Gmail account and click on Finish to complete the configuration process.
- After that, locate the MSG files that you want to import and select them.
- Drag all MSG files and drop them into the Gmail account folder.
Done! This is the manual approach for importing MSG to Gmail account but it is a lengthy and complicated process. Outlook must be installed on your system to complete this task.
Method 2: Import MSG Files to Gmail Automatically
Try out the Advik MSG Converter and open MSG file in Gmail. The software is efficient enough to import your .msg file data in bulk without any data loss. It is fully automatic, you just need to add MSG files and enter Gmail credentials for the completion of this task. Moreover, while importing messages the tool will maintain your data integrity.
The software has a demo version that allows to explore its work efficiency and accuracy. Click the link below and download the free version of the software.
Steps to Import MSG Files to Gmail in Batch
Step 1. Run this on your system.

Step 2. Click on Select Files or Folders to add EML files.

Step 3. Choose MSG folder and click on Next.

Step 4. Select Gmail as a saving option.

Step 5. Enter your Gmail email address and app password.

Step 6. Click on Next button to begin importing process.

All Done! The tool will confirm the completion of the process through a pop-up message.
Watch How to Open .msg File in Gmail
If you prefer a visual walkthrough, watch the video tutorial below to see how MSG files can be transferred to Gmail.
Why Use an MSG to Gmail Converter?
The tool has various advanced features to ease the MSG to Gmail import process. Some of them are given below-
- It allows to import MSG files to Gmail in bulk at once that too without any data loss.
- While importing messages, teh tool will maintain the email folder and sub-folder hierarchy and structure.
- Allows to select folders with multiple MSG files and import them in single attempt.
- Allows to convert MSG to PDF, and many other file formats.
- Advance filter options to import selective emails only.
- With its simple and user-friendly interface, it is easy for non-technical users to import.
- Compatible with all Windows 11. 10. 7 and all other OS versions.
Conclusion
In this post, we have discussed how to import MSG files to Gmail. Here, we have mentioned both manual and professional solutions. You can choose any method as per your requirements. However, while implementing these solutions, we have found that the manual process is a little bit complex and contains various steps. To overcome this issue, try an automated solution and easily upload MSG to Gmail.
Frequently Asked Question
Ques1. Why would I need to import MSG files into Gmail?
Answer. Importing MSG file into Gmail can be beneficial for many reasons. It will give better options to organise your data, and security to your crucial emails, and much more.
Ques 2. Will importing MSG files into Gmail affect my Gmail storage?
Answer. Yes, teh imported MSG files will take up space in your Gmail account. Make sure you have enough space before importing the data file.

