How to Transfer Hotmail to Gmail: Complete Migration Guide

Need to migrate Hotmail to Gmail?

Need to migrate Hotmail to Gmail? This step-by-step guide shows you exactly how to transfer Hotmail to Gmail using three proven methods.

You can either import Hotmail into Gmail, forward some Hotmail to Gmail, or just add Hotmail to Gmail. We shall take you through it all. Get to know how to move your Hotmail to Gmail and keep all your emails intact.

Why Switch From Hotmail to Gmail?

Gmail delivers high-quality performance compared to conventional email providers. Your inbox is securely spammed away by better spam filters that block spam and suspicious emails in your inbox. To get email support for it, contact skyhelpservice.

Gmail offers users 15GB of free storage, almost 3 times the initially offered by Hotmail. More to the point, Gmail will be a part and parcel of Android devices and will be a single inbox for managing a variety of accounts at once.​​

This implies that there are unlimited ways to classify messages without the fear that they will vanish from the screen. In case a critical client email can be simultaneously labeled as work, finance, and high priority, and, therefore, retrieval will be immediate and easy.​

Moreover, Gmail’s powerful search engine can locate any email using advanced filters and keywords in a short time. It also has superior connectivity with Google Workspace products such as Sheets, Docs, and Drive to form a smooth productivity environment.​​ So even if you are looking to delete your Hotmail account, you should transfer it first.

Method 1 — How to Transfer Hotmail to Gmail (Automatic Import – Fastest)

1. Step 1: Open Gmail → Click gear icon (top right) → See all settings
2. Step 2: Click Accounts and Import tab → Import mail and contacts
3. Step 3: Enter your Hotmail email address → Click Continue
4. Step 4: Sign in to Hotmail → Allow permissions
5. Step 5: Select import preferences:
   • Import mail
   • Import contacts
   • Import new messages for 30 days
6. Step 6: Click Start import → Wait for completion

Key Point: Gmail may take hours or days, depending on mailbox size. Imported emails appear as a label for easy organization. Large archives with 10+ years of emails and substantial attachments might require 24-48 hours. You can use your Gmail account normally while the import processes in the background.

This method is the most efficient way to migrate Hotmail to Gmail without third-party tools. Gmail will preserve your email structure by converting Hotmail folders into Gmail labels, automatically maintaining your organizational system.​ It also works if you are looking for how to fix Hotmail issues on iPhone or Android.

Method 2 — How to Add Hotmail to Gmail (Link Both Accounts)

Keep Hotmail active while accessing it through Gmail. This method lets you link Hotmail to Gmail and manage both inboxes in a single dashboard without making permanent changes.

1. Step 1: Open Gmail → Settings → Accounts and Import → Add a mail account
2. Step 2: Enter Hotmail email → Next
3. Step 3: Select Link account with Gmailify → Next
4. Step 4: Approve permissions → Sync settings

Your Hotmail inbox now appears in Gmail with a dedicated label. This is the best way to add Hotmail to Gmail without permanent changes.

Gmailify allows you to send emails from your Hotmail address directly through Gmail, eliminating the need to switch between accounts.​

Manual IMAP Setup (Alternative for Advanced Users)

If Gmailify doesn’t work or you prefer technical control, configure IMAP manually. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) allows Gmail to access your Hotmail account securely without storing passwords locally.

For MSN accounts specifically, use imap-mail.outlook.com instead. This method successfully lets you add Hotmail to Gmail while maintaining both accounts.​​

Important: Never share your IMAP password. Gmail stores this securely and uses it only to sync your emails safely.

Method 3: How to Forward Hotmail Emails to Gmail (Auto-Redirect)

Automatically send all new Hotmail emails to Gmail without importing history. This is the simplest way to forward Hotmail to Gmail for ongoing emails, perfect if you’ve already migrated old messages.

1. Step 1: Log into Hotmail → Click gear icon → View all Outlook settings
2. Step 2: Go to Mail → Forwarding
3. Step 3: Check Enable forwarding → Enter Gmail address
4. Step 4: Choose to keep copies in Hotmail (recommended for backup)
5. Step 5: Click Save

Every new email to Hotmail now automatically forwards to Gmail in real-time. This is the fastest way to forward Hotmail to Gmail for new messages. The forwarding happens instantly, and emails arrive in your Gmail inbox within seconds of reaching Hotmail.​

Note: This method only forwards new incoming emails. Existing messages won’t transfer. Some older Hotmail accounts require Outlook Premium for continuous forwarding. Standard accounts may encounter forwarding limitations after extended periods.​ Through this, you can fix the Hotmail not working issue that keeps bugging you.

After You Transfer Your Hotmail to Gmail — What to Expect

Gmail uses labels instead of folders: Your Hotmail folders automatically convert to Gmail labels. You can apply multiple labels to a single email, something Hotmail folders don’t allow. For example, a vendor email can simultaneously carry “Vendors,” “2025 Contracts,” and “Payment Pending” labels for instant filtering.​

Sync delays are expected: Don’t worry if emails take time to appear. Large mailboxes (10+ years of emails) can take 24-48 hours to sync fully. Gmail processes migrations in the background; you maintain full Gmail functionality during this period.​

Contacts need verification: While Gmail imports contacts automatically, review your Gmail Contacts folder to ensure all details are transferred correctly. Some fields may require manual editing when used with Hotmail-specific formats.​

OneDrive files stay in OneDrive: Files stored in OneDrive don’t transfer to Google Drive. Download them manually if needed. This is Microsoft’s deliberate design to maintain account separation.​

Troubleshooting — Fix Migration Problems

These solutions quickly address the common problem of migrating from Hotmail to Gmail. Most issues resolve within minutes once you identify the root cause.​