How to Import AOL Messages and Contacts Into Gmail

Try out Gmail by copying your AOL email and address book

By
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Heinz Tschabitscher
Writer
  • University of Vienna
A former freelance contributor who has reviewed hundreds of email programs and services since 1997.
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Updated on December 9, 2021
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • To import, copy the messages to import to a folder, log in to Gmail, and select Settings > See all Settings.
  • Next, go to Account and Import > Import mail and contacts, enter your AOL email and password, and select Continue > Start import.
  • To stop import, log in to Gmail, select Settings > See all settings > Accounts and Import > Import Mail and Contacts > Stop or Delete.

This article explains how to import AOL messages and contacts into Gmail. Additional information covers how to stop importing into Gmail.

Import AOL Messages and Contacts Into Gmail

You can import just about all your mail and your address book from AOL Mail into Gmail. The copied messages all remain in your AOL account as well.

It may take several hours or up to two days before you start to see imported messages.

  1. Copy all messages you want to import from your AOL Mail Sent Mail and Spam folders to a folder named AOL Mail Saved Mail or another custom folder. Messages in Drafts and Spam folders are not imported.

  2. Log into your Gmail account.

  3. Select the Settings gear in Gmail.

    Gmail inbox screen with Settings gear icon highlighted

  4. Select See all Settings.

    Gmail Settings with See all Settings highlighted

  5. Select the Accounts and Import tab.

    Gmail settings with Accounts and Import tab highlighted

  6. Select Import mail and contacts. The Import dialog box will open.

    Gmail settings with Import Mail and Contacts highlighted

  7. Enter your AOL email address and select Continue.

    Gmail import screen with the account entry field highlighted

  8. Enter your AOL Mail password and select Continue.

    Aol password importation box highlighted

  9. Make sure Import contacts and Import mail are selected. To have messages you receive at your AOL account automatically copied to your Gmail inbox for a month, select Import new mail for next 30 days.

    Import contacts and mail options in Gmail highlighted

  10. Choose Start import and then select OK when the import is is complete.

All messages and contacts are still available in AOL Mail after they have been imported into Gmail.

How to Stop Importing AOL Mail into Gmail

If you decide you no longer want to import new messages from AOL Mail into Gmail, you can stop importing emails.

  1. Log into your Gmail account.

  2. Select the Settings gear in Gmail.

    Gmail inbox screen with settings annotated

  3. Select See all settings.

    Gmail settings with See all settings highlighted

  4. Select the Accounts and Import tab.

    Gmail settings with Import Mail and Contacts highlighted

  5. In the Import Mail and Contacts section, select Stop or Delete next to the account you want to stop getting emails from.

    Gmail import settings with the Stop command highlighted

  6. Select OK to confirm that you want to stop importing emails into your Gmail account. The email address will be removed immediately.

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