Move from Gmail to Outlook.com

Before the change

Step 1: Decide what happens to your Google Account

Your email can move without giving up YouTube, Android, Photos or purchases. Deleting the account is a separate, bigger decision.

• Keep your Google Account, even if you stop using Gmail (high risk)
• An Android phone: keep it on your Google Account (moderate risk)
• Google Photos: keep it on your Google Account (moderate risk)
• Google Play purchases: keep it on your Google Account (moderate risk)
• and 1 more

Step 2: Set up and secure Outlook.com

The new inbox should be your best-protected account.

• Outlook.com: turn on two-step verification and recovery options (high risk)

Step 3: Take a full archive of Gmail, Contacts and Calendar

Your safety net, whatever happens next.

• Download a Google Takeout archive of Gmail, Contacts and Calendar (high risk)
• Export your Google Contacts (moderate risk)
• Export Google Calendar (moderate risk)

Step 4: Find accounts that use your Gmail address

Gmail itself and your password manager are the best places to look.

• Search Gmail for accounts that use your Gmail address (high risk)
• Password manager: change its account email and search for your Gmail address (high risk)
• Apps you sign in to with Google (high risk)
• Sites where your Gmail address is the username (moderate risk)

Step 5: Move your most important accounts first

Apple, domains and recovery emails unlock everything else.

• Apple Account: switch to your Outlook.com address (high risk)
• Accounts that use Gmail as their recovery email (high risk)

Step 6: Update banks, payments and government accounts

These often confirm changes by email, so start early.

• Your banks and credit unions: change your email to Outlook.com (high risk)
• Government and tax accounts: update your email (high risk)

During the change

Step 7: Forward Gmail to Outlook.com

Keep mail flowing while you finish the move.

• Gmail: forward new mail to Outlook.com (high risk)

Step 8: Bring over old mail

Copy the folders you want in batches.

• Copy old Gmail messages into Outlook.com (moderate risk)
• Labels and folders don't map one to one (low risk)

Step 9: Import contacts and calendars

Contacts by CSV, calendars by .ics file or subscription.

• Import contacts into Outlook.com (moderate risk)
• Import your calendar into Outlook.com (moderate risk)
• Re-share calendars with family and others (moderate risk)

Step 10: Recreate filters and send-as addresses

Neither transfers on its own.

• Recreate Gmail filters as Outlook.com rules (moderate risk)

Step 11: Set up Outlook.com on your phone and computer

Make Outlook.com the default for sending.

• Set up Outlook.com on your phone and computer (low risk)

Immediately after

Step 12: Update everyday accounts

Social media, shopping, subscriptions, travel and the rest.

• Insurance policies: update your email (high risk)
• Facebook: change your login email to Outlook.com (moderate risk)
• Instagram: change your login email to Outlook.com (moderate risk)
• LinkedIn: change your login email to Outlook.com (moderate risk)
• and 5 more

Step 13: Tell people your new address

Friends, family and anywhere your address is printed.

• Send your new Outlook.com address to people (moderate risk)
• Recreate your signature and update public profiles (low risk)

Verify

Step 14: Test mail flow and password reset

Prove the new address works before you rely on it.

• Test password reset with the new address (high risk)
• Send a test message to your Gmail address (moderate risk)

Later

Step 15: Keep the Google Account active

Sign in now and then and watch for stragglers.

• Keep the Google Account active (moderate risk)
• Check Gmail now and then for anything still arriving there (low risk)