Gmail / Google Workspace → iCloud Mail
Gmail to iCloud Mail Migration Guide
Complete guide to migrate from Gmail or Google Workspace to iCloud Mail using IMAP. Learn how to set up app passwords, preserve folders, and migrate emails safely with zero downtime.
Prerequisites
- Source accounts in Gmail / Google Workspace with IMAP enabled
- Destination iCloud Mail accounts created for each user (with @icloud.com, @me.com, or @mac.com)
- App passwords configured for both Gmail and iCloud Mail (see instructions below)
How to Get App Passwords
Step-by-step instructions:
- Go directly to Google App Passwords
- If prompted, enable 2-Step Verification first (required for app passwords)
- Choose "Mail" as the app and "Other (Custom name)" as the device
- Enter "Migrate Wizard" as the custom name and click "Generate"
- Copy the 16-character password – you'll use this in Migrate Wizard
Step-by-step instructions:
- Ensure Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is enabled on your Apple ID (required)
- Sign in to appleid.apple.com with your Apple ID
- Go to the Sign-In and Security section
- Select App-Specific Passwords
- Click Generate an app-specific password and follow the on-screen instructions
- Enter "Migrate Wizard" as the app name when prompted
- Copy the generated password immediately – use this as the iCloud IMAP password
Important: Two-factor authentication must be enabled on your Apple ID to generate app-specific passwords. If you don't see the "App-Specific Passwords" option, enable 2FA first. You can have up to 25 active app-specific passwords at once.
Using App Passwords in Migrate Wizard
- Use the user's email address as the username for both Gmail and iCloud.
- Use the generated app password (not the regular password) in the password field.
- For Gmail IMAP, use
imap.gmail.com. - For iCloud IMAP, use
imap.mail.me.com.
Recommended Migration Strategy
Migrate one Gmail mailbox to iCloud Mail using Migrate Wizard and confirm that login works, folders appear as expected, and messages are readable.
Move 3–5 more mailboxes with different sizes and usage patterns. Use this to validate performance and confirm that iCloud isn't throttling or blocking IMAP connections.