Migrate 1&1 IONOS Webmail to Gmail

You want to migrate 1&1 IONOS webmail to Gmail and Google is changing how that works. Gmail is retiring POP fetching from other accounts so older guides may lead to a button you no longer see. Below are four ways to move IONOS mail to Gmail, with real IONOS settings, Google limits and a contacts section.

Which IONOS IMAP settings do you need?

You need your IONOS address, its password and server values. IONOS publishes them in its help centre and its page still uses 1&1 in places. Webmail is only a window so these server values are what every method below talks to.

1. Incoming IMAP server: imap.ionos.com, port 993, SSL/TLS.
2. Incoming POP3 server: pop.ionos.com, port 995, SSL/TLS.
3. Outgoing SMTP server: smtp.ionos.com, port 465 with SSL/TLS. Port 587 with STARTTLS works where 465 is blocked.
4. Username: your full email address. Password: one for that specific address.

IONOS lists no step to switch IMAP on for an address so login problems trace back to a wrong password or a blocked port. Sign in to IONOS Webmail first to test your details. If your address is on another IONOS plan like hosted Exchange, it needs separate server details from IONOS.

How to migrate 1&1 IONOS webmail to Gmail with Gmail import?

Gmail has a one-time import tool for personal accounts. It copies messages from your old address into Gmail. It costs nothing but Google is winding down POP fetching so check that you still see it.

1. Open Gmail on your computer and sign in to your receiving account.
2. Select your gear icon, then See all settings.
3. Open your Accounts and import tab and select Import mail and contacts.
4. Follow its screens. Enter your 1&1 IONOS webmail address and password. If Gmail asks for a POP server, use pop.ionos.com with port 995 and SSL.
5. Select Start import and wait for Gmail.

Google's support page says Gmail import brings in messages only. Folders and labels from your IONOS account are not imported. Mail of 150 MB or more is ignored and Gmail suggests looking for other problems if nothing arrives after 2 hours. Google also retains forwarding mail sent to your old address into Gmail for 30 days after import.

Google's own notice says POP in "Check mail from other accounts" stops for new users after Q1 2026 and existing users retain it until January 2027. A one-time import on Gmail web is listed as staying but it is not continuous sync. If you do not see Import mail and contacts, move to another way.

How to migrate 1&1 IONOS webmail to Google Workspace?

An admin can start Data migration. IONOS has its own article on it and it applies to IONOS Mail Basic and Mail Business accounts.

1. Sign in as a Super Admin.
2. Open Google's guide to Migrate email from an IMAP account and start its Data migration wizard.
3. Enter imap.ionos.com as your source server.
4. Enter your IONOS address and password for every mailbox you want to move.
5. Finish its steps. Transfer starts and a progress bar shows status.

Google's guide includes up to 100 IMAP users in one batch. You can type 20 or fewer users by hand and a CSV file above that must remain under 128 MB. IONOS's article gives no size or time limits so test with one user first. It also needs Super Admin rights so an ordinary Workspace user cannot start it. See IONOS's Transfer to Google Workspace article for its version of these steps.

How to move IONOS mail to Gmail with an IMAP client?

Add your IONOS account and your Gmail account to one email application, then drag folders across. It works for free Gmail and Workspace but it is slow for big mailboxes because every message passes through your PC.

1. Open Thunderbird or Outlook and add your IONOS account over IMAP with settings above.
2. Add your Gmail account in same application and wait for both to finish syncing.
3. Create a folder in Gmail for every IONOS folder you want to retain.
4. Drag messages from IONOS folders into those Gmail folders. Gmail shows folders made that way as labels.
5. Open Gmail on web and check counts before you touch your IONOS account.

That route is not in IONOS's or Google's docs so test with one small folder first. Our guide to Migrate IMAP to Gmail includes sync settings for large folders.

Steps to move IONOS mail to Gmail with software

1. Install Corbett Email Migration Tool on a Windows PC and open it with Run as administrator.
2. Set your 1&1 IONOS webmail mailbox as source. Enter imap.ionos.com, port 993, your full address and password.
3. Set Gmail as destination and sign in through Google's consent window.
4. Select 1&1 IONOS webmail folders and filters you want to move.
5. Start a free trial with one folder, then check Gmail.
6. After counts look right, buy a licence and move everything.

Its page names providers it detects by itself and IONOS is not on that list so type server values by hand as shown earlier. Licence is a lifetime one from $99 for up to 5 machines with a 30-day money-back guarantee. It has no scheduler so plan one cutover. For many users, its page describes a CSV file that maps source to destination accounts. See our guides to Move Yandex Mail to Gmail and Move GoDaddy email to Gmail for that same idea on other hosts.

How to move 1&1 IONOS contacts to Gmail?

A mail move does not bring contacts. Export your IONOS address book as a file, then import that file into Google Contacts.

1. Sign in to IONOS Webmail and select Address Book icon in blue bar at top left.
2. Under My Address Books, select your address book and open its Action icon menu.
3. Choose its export option and save a CSV file. IONOS's own Microsoft 365 article tells users to export Webmail contacts in CSV format.
4. Open Google Contacts and select Import in its left menu.
5. Upload your file and select Import. Check a few contacts for names and phone numbers.

IONOS's import article places Import in that Action menu and says to export an address book first to see file layout. It does not print its Export label so use wording on your screen. VCard is another format IONOS names for contacts. Need more contact help? See how to Export Gmail contacts.

Which way to move IONOS mail suits you?

Try Gmail import for one personal mailbox. Admins on Workspace should use Data migration. Use software for folders, filters and many mailboxes.

Those ideas work for other hosts. See how to Move Roundcube to Gmail or Move Hostmonster webmail to Gmail.

Why does the IONOS move to Gmail fail?

Import mail and contacts is missing IONOS webmail to Gmail

Google is removing POP fetching so new users may not see it. Use Workspace Data migration, an IMAP client or software.

Server denied accessto Gmail

Google's help page says to check username and password and your old account's access settings. Use your full IONOS address and sign in to IONOS Webmail once to confirm your password.

Some 1&1 IONOS emails are missing in Gmail

Mail of 150 MB or more is ignored. Search Gmail with in:anywhere plus your terms and check old IONOS folders, since Gmail import ignores them.

Connection timed out or reset

Google advises trying again later. Check that port 993 or 995 is open on your network.

Moved IONOS mail has no folders in Gmail

Gmail import ignores folders. Use an IMAP client or software to retain IONOS folder structure.

What to do after you move IONOS mail to Gmail?

Compare message counts, open mail with attachments and set up forwarding in your IONOS mailbox for new mail. Retain your IONOS account until counts match, then update addresses on your accounts. Back up your Gmail account with Gmail Backup Tool if you want a second copy.

Questions about move IONOS mail to Gmail