📦 Moving from Gmail to Proton Mail

Think of it like moving house: you don't burn the old place down, you forward the mail, move your stuff over box by box, and eventually stop going back. Total hands-on time is about an hour, spread over a few weeks.

Before you start, you'll need: your new @unabode.com Proton account (request one here), your Gmail password, and a cup of tea.

Phase 1 — Bring your old mail with you

  1. Open Proton's Easy Switch

    Sign in at proton.me → Settings → Import via Easy Switch → choose Gmail. Proton connects to Google and copies your emails, contacts, and calendars over automatically.

  2. Approve the Google permission screen

    Google will ask you to confirm Proton can read your mailbox for the import. This is the one time granting access like this is fine — you're doing it on purpose, from Proton's own site.

  3. Let it run

    Big mailboxes take a few hours to a couple of days. You'll get a notification when it's done. Everything lands in Proton with its labels turned into folders.

Phase 2 — Forward new mail from Gmail

  1. Set up Gmail forwarding

    In Gmail (on a computer): gear icon → See all settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → Add a forwarding address → enter your @unabode.com address. Gmail emails a confirmation code to your Proton inbox — click it, then choose Forward a copy of incoming mail.

  2. Keep a copy in Gmail (for now)

    Choose "keep Gmail's copy in the Inbox" so nothing is lost while you're settling in.

Phase 3 — Change over your accounts

  1. Start with the important ones

    Banking, government (tax, health), utilities, then shops and socials. Log in to each, find "account settings" or "email address," and update it to your @unabode.com address.

  2. Use forwarded mail as your to-do list

    Every time something arrives in Proton via Gmail forwarding, that sender still has your old address — update it as it comes in. After a month or two the trickle stops.

  3. Update your devices

    Install the Proton Mail app on your phone and tablet, and sign out of the Gmail app (or move it off your home screen so you're not tempted).

Phase 4 — Wind down Gmail (optional)

  1. Keep the Google account

    Don't delete it — you may need it for YouTube, Android, or old purchases. Just stop using the mailbox.

  2. Set a vacation responder (optional)

    Gmail settings → General → Vacation responder: "I've moved to a new address — please update your contacts." Handy for actual humans who email you.
Common snags: Easy Switch import stuck? Re-run it — it skips what it already copied. Forwarding confirmation email missing? Check Proton's spam folder. Some senders (older newsletters) may take weeks to show up — that's normal. Stuck on anything: ask Michael.