Switch From Google to Proton Without Losing Data

Switching from Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive) to Proton (Mail, Calendar, Drive) is straightforward if you plan it step by step. This guide walks you through exporting your emails, calendars, and files, then importing them into Proton, so you keep everything intact. You’ll need your Google account credentials, a Proton account (free or paid), and about an hour of time.

What You’ll Need

• A Google account with access to Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive.
• A Proton account (sign up at proton.me if you don’t have one).
• A computer with a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge).
• Enough disk space on your computer to store exported files temporarily.
• Optional: Proton Mail Plus or Proton Unlimited for larger storage and custom domains.

Step-by-Step

1. Export Your Google Data

1. Go to takeout.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2. Click “Deselect all� to avoid exporting everything. Then check only these boxes:
   • Mail – exports all your Gmail emails as .mbox files.
   • Calendar – exports your calendars as .ics files.
   • Drive – exports your files in their original formats.
3. Scroll down and click “Next step�.
4. Choose your delivery method (e.g., “Send download link via email�), set frequency to “Export once�, and choose file type “.zip�. Set the file size to 50 GB (or lower if you prefer smaller files).
5. Click “Create export�. Google will prepare your files. You’ll get an email when they’re ready (this can take from minutes to days depending on data size).
6. Download the .zip file(s) and extract them to a folder on your computer.

2. Import Emails into Proton Mail

1. Log in to your Proton Mail account in a web browser.
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right, then go to Proton Mail → Import via Easy Switch.
3. Choose “Google� as the provider. You’ll be asked to sign in to your Google account and grant Proton permission to import your mail. (This is the easiest method; if you prefer manual import, skip to step 4.)
4. If you chose manual import: In the same Import via Easy Switch section, select “Import via IMAP�. Enter your Gmail IMAP settings (server: imap.gmail.com, port: 993, SSL). Use your Gmail address and an app password (you must enable 2-step verification and create an app password in Google security settings).
5. Follow the prompts to select which folders to import. Proton will start copying your emails. This can take a while for large mailboxes.
6. After the import finishes, verify your folders and labels appear correctly in Proton Mail.

3. Import Calendars into Proton Calendar

1. In Proton Mail, click the grid icon (app launcher) and select Calendar.
2. In the left sidebar, click the “+� next to “Other calendars� and choose “From file�.
3. Select the .ics file(s) you exported from Google Takeout (they are in the “Calendar� folder of the extracted zip).
4. Proton will import all events, including recurring ones. Check that your events appear correctly.
5. If you have multiple calendars (e.g., personal, work), repeat the import for each .ics file.

4. Import Files into Proton Drive

1. In Proton Mail, click the grid icon and select Drive.
2. Click the “Upload� button (usually an arrow pointing up) at the top of the page.
3. Select the files and folders you exported from Google Drive. You can upload multiple items at once, but be mindful of your Proton storage limit.
4. Wait for the upload to complete. Large files may take time depending on your internet speed.
5. Organize your files into folders inside Proton Drive as desired.

5. Update Your Email Forwarding and Accounts

1. In Gmail, go to Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP, and set up forwarding to your new Proton address. This ensures you don’t miss emails during the transition.
2. Update your email address on any important accounts (bank, social media, subscriptions) to your Proton address.
3. After a few weeks, once you’re confident you’re not missing anything, you can remove the forwarding rule in Gmail.

Common Mistakes

• Not exporting all data: Forgetting to select “Mailâ€� or “Calendarâ€� in Google Takeout means you’ll miss those items.
• Using the wrong import method: Proton’s Easy Switch for Gmail requires you to grant access; if you choose manual IMAP, you must create an app password first. Using your regular Gmail password will fail.
• Ignoring storage limits: Proton’s free plan has limited storage (1 GB for mail, 1 GB for Drive). If you have more data, you’ll need a paid plan or you’ll be unable to import everything.
• Importing calendars as a single file: If you have multiple Google calendars, each is a separate .ics file. Import them all, not just one.
• Not checking for duplicates: If you run the import twice, you’ll get duplicate emails or events. Always verify after the first import.

Tips

• Start the Google Takeout export well before you plan to switch, as it can take days for large accounts.
• Use Proton’s Easy Switch for Gmail if possible—it’s more automated and handles folders better.
• Keep your Gmail account active for at least a month after switching to catch any stray emails.
• Use a dedicated folder on your computer for the exported files, and don’t delete them until you’ve verified everything is in Proton.
• If you have a custom domain, set it up in Proton Mail to receive emails at your own domain.

Troubleshooting

Import fails or times out

If the import stops midway, try again. For large mailboxes, break the import into smaller chunks by exporting only specific labels from Gmail (in Takeout, you can choose specific labels for Mail). For Drive, upload files in batches.

Calendars show events in the wrong time zone

This can happen if your .ics file doesn’t include time zone info. In Google Calendar, go to Settings → Time zone and ensure it’s set correctly. When importing, Proton will ask for a time zone; choose the one that matches your original events.

Emails appear in the wrong folders

Proton’s import may map Gmail labels to folders differently. After import, you can manually move emails to the correct folders in Proton Mail.

Cannot connect to Gmail via IMAP

You must enable “Less secure app access� or better, use an app password. Go to your Google account → Security → 2-Step Verification → App passwords, generate one for “Mail�, and use that in Proton.

Drive files are too large to upload

Proton Drive has a file size limit (currently 5 GB for free, higher for paid). If you have larger files, compress them into a ZIP archive before uploading, or use a different method like a shared link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my email addresses change?

Yes, you’ll get a new @proton.me address. You can set up forwarding from Gmail to Proton, and update your contacts with your new address.

Can I import my Google Contacts?

Yes, but this guide focuses on email, calendars, and files. To import contacts, export them from Google Contacts (as .vcf) and import into Proton Contacts via the web app.

Is Proton Mail free?

Yes, there’s a free plan with 1 GB storage and limited features. Paid plans start at a low monthly cost and offer more storage and custom domains.

Will my emails be searchable after import?

Yes, Proton Mail indexes imported emails, so you can search them just like in Gmail.

Can I use my own domain with Proton?

Yes, Proton Mail supports custom domains on paid plans. You can set it up in Settings → Domain names.

How long does the whole process take?

It depends on your data size. For a typical user with a few GB of email and a few GB of Drive files, the export and import can be done in a few hours. Large accounts may take days.

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