iCloud Mail → Gmail / Google Workspace
iCloud Mail to Gmail Migration Guide
Complete guide to migrate from iCloud Mail to Gmail or Google Workspace using IMAP. Learn how to set up app passwords, preserve folders, and migrate emails safely with zero downtime.
Prerequisites
- Active iCloud Mail account with IMAP access enabled
- Destination Gmail / Google Workspace mailbox for each user
- App passwords for both iCloud and Gmail (see instructions below)
How to Get App Passwords
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.
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
Using App Passwords in Migrate Wizard
- Use the iCloud email address as the source username and Gmail address as the destination username.
- Use the respective app password for each side (iCloud and Gmail).
- iCloud IMAP server:
imap.mail.me.com. - Gmail IMAP server:
imap.gmail.com.
Recommended Migration Strategy
Start with one iCloud mailbox and check the Gmail inbox afterwards: folders, unread state, and search should all behave as expected.
Once the first mailbox looks good, migrate 3–5 more accounts and monitor performance and any rate limiting from iCloud. Adjust concurrency in Migrate Wizard if necessary.