How to Migrate Hotmail to Gmail in Just a Few Easy Steps

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  • Updated on August 26th, 2025

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Workplaces or companies that switch to the Google Workspace environment often prefer Gmail as their primary email client. Therefore, they decided to migrate their Hotmail emails to Gmail. In this article, you will learn how to migrate Hotmail to Gmail without losing years of important emails. We’ll walk you through the manual and automated Cigati Hotmail Backup Tool process step-by-step. Moreover, we will also address some of the most common questions users ask during the transition. 

Need to Transfer Hotmail to Gmail 

Moving Hotmail emails to Gmail ensures great cross-platform accessibility and access to the G Suite ecosystem. Given below are the points that highlight the need for this transfer process:

  • Gmail is a part of Google Workspace. Hence, with Gmail, users can access Google Workspace tools that make communication and collaboration much easier.
  • Users trust Gmail as it has built brand value and is now the most widely used email platform. They prefer Gmail for its reliability and global popularity.
  • With Hotmail, users frequently deal with spam and therefore choose to migrate to Gmail for better protection. 
  • Unlike Hotmail, Gmail offers a storage space of 15 GB, which is free of cost. 
  • The Gmail email client works on all platforms with great syncing. Hence, Gmail offers great cross-device accessibility.

Different Ways to Transfer Emails from Hotmail to Gmail Account

A manual procedure is a choice among those who prefer a cost-effective way to handle this migration. But, for a faster, reliable, and error-free approach, use the automated method. Now, let’s begin exploring the solutions.

Also Read: Migrate Hotmail to Outlook

Migrate from Hotmail to Gmail Using Gmail’s Built-in Feature

This is one of the easiest manual ways to move emails from Hotmail to Gmail. The method is perfect for beginners and requires no extra tools or software. 

The following steps will migrate emails from Hotmail to Gmail:

  1. Open your web browser and log in with your Gmail email address and password.
  2. Now, in the top-right corner, click on the gear icon and choose See all settings.
  3. Then, switch to the Accounts and Import tab in the Settings menu.
  4. After that, click Import from another address under Import mail and contacts.
  5. Now, enter your Hotmail email account credentials and choose what to import.
  6. At last, hit the Start Import button to begin transferring. 

Limitations: It only fetches new emails from Hotmail for 30 days. Also, the process takes several days or hours to transfer thousands of emails. This manual procedure imports everything. One cannot do selective migration. 

Manually Forward Hotmail to Gmail

The following method is for those who want to receive new Hotmail emails in Gmail automatically. 

Steps to be performed to start forwarding emails:

  1. First, open your Hotmail email account
  2. Now, access Settings and go to View all Outlook settings.
  3. Then, choose Forwarding in the Mail tab, under Settings
  4. Afterward, check the box Enable Forwarding.
  5. Now, type your Gmail email address where you want to forward your emails.
  6. Finally, tap Save to forward the email.

Limitations: It does not transfer the old or existing emails to Gmail. 

Transfer Emails from Hotmail to Gmail Manually via POP/IMAP

For users who want to transfer only selective emails or folders to a Gmail account. This involves the Outlook desktop email client. 

Use the step-by-step instructions to begin the process:

  1. Open the Outlook desktop application.
  2. Then, go to File > Add Account and enter your Hotmail email ID and password. If prompted, select IMAP protocol.
  3. Similarly, add your Gmail account to Outlook. Also, make sure to enable IMAP in Gmail settings.
  4. Now, both accounts will appear side by side in Outlook. 
  5. After that, drag and drop emails from Hotmail to Gmail.

Limitations: This method cannot be performed on the Outlook mobile app or web browser. It also requires a stable internet connection for IMAP syncing.

Top-Notch Utility to Migrate Hotmail to Gmail Account

With the Cigati Hotmail Backup Tool, one can effortlessly migrate their Hotmail emails to a Gmail account. Users can download their email data in multiple file formats and email clients. This tool backs up not only the emails, but the complete Hotmail mailbox. Also, the tool is equipped with advanced features like date-based filtering and attachment management, including or excluding attachments.

Simplified steps to transfer Hotmail to Gmail efficiently:

  1. Start by installing and executing the tool on your system.
  2. Then, choose Sign In Hotmail Account and enter the Hotmail email account credentials. Tap Sign In.
  3. Now, tick the folders from the Hotmail mailbox that you want to migrate. Hit Next.
  4. After that, pick Save in Email Client and choose Gmail as the saving output.
  5. Next, apply the extra settings as per your needs for further customization. 
  6. Click Next, choose the saving path, and hit the Download button.

Conclusion

As we wrap up this technical blog, let’s recap some of the key points. To migrate Hotmail to Gmail, one can either follow the standard manual method or opt for an automated approach. Use the Cigati Hotmail Backup Tool for an automated and reliable approach. A significant effort and time are required for implementing the manual approach. On the other hand, a professional approach using a tool is far easier and simpler. The user can choose whichever method suits their needs and the complex nature.

You May Also Read: Migrate Hotmail to Yahoo Mail

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it better to use Hotmail or Gmail?

Ans: It is way better to use Gmail over Hotmail. Gmail is widely used as an email client in today’s world. Also, it integrates well with the Google Workspace suite of tools and ensures reliability. Moreover, Gmail offers free storage, unlike Hotmail, which provides limited storage.

Q: How do I automatically forward Hotmail emails to Gmail?

Ans: To automatically forward Hotmail emails to Gmail, first Sign In to your Hotmail email account. Then, go to Settings > View all Outlook Settings. After that, under Mail > Forwarding. Tick the checkbox next to Enable Forwarding and then enter the Gmail email ID. Finally, click on Save.

About The Author:

Rohit Singh is an Email Backup, Recovery & Migration Consultant and is associated with Software Company from the last 3 years. He writes technical updates and their features related to MS Outlook, Exchange Server, Office 365, and many other Email Clients & Servers.

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