Importing copies your old mail into SipherMail. It never changes the account it reads from: nothing is deleted there and no flags are written back.
What you can import from#
| Source | How it connects |
|---|---|
| Gmail | You sign in on Google’s own page (OAuth). SipherMail does not see your password. |
| Outlook / Microsoft 365 | You sign in on Microsoft’s own page (OAuth). |
| Any other service | Custom IMAP: enter the server, port, your address and a password. Use an app password if the service asks for one. |
| A file (web only) | An MBOX file (.mbox, .mbx) or a ZIP of EML files. |
Run an import on the web#
- Open Settings > Import.
- Choose your provider and select Next.
- Sign in on the provider’s page, or enter your IMAP details.
- Choose How much email history?: Last 30 days or Everything. Free accounts are limited to 30 days. Paid plans and organisation members can import everything. See pricing.
- Tick the folders to import. Inbox and Sent are ticked by default.
- Start the import and check progress under Import History on the same page.
You can keep using SipherMail while it runs. The mobile apps have their own import screen.
What is copied#
- Messages, with their read, replied, starred and draft flags.
- Not copied: custom labels and keywords from the old account.
- Running an import again is safe. Messages are matched by Message-ID, so you do not get duplicates.
Limits#
The number of accounts you can connect for import depends on your plan. See pricing.
Contacts#
SipherMail reads contact exports in CSV and vCard format, including exports from Gmail, Outlook and Apple Contacts. See Contacts.
After the import#
Imported inbox mail is sorted into categories as you open your inbox, see Smart categories. Set up labels and rules to organise the rest.