How to allow IMAP access and adjust settings before import

You can import emails into your Proton Mail account from another email provider using Easy Switch(new window) (or the older Import-Export app(new window)).

Importing your messages into Proton Mail is likely to require adjusting some settings in your external email account, such as enabling IMAP access or setting up an app password to allow third-party apps access to your account. 

This article explains the steps to prepare your Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Yandex, or GMX accounts for moving your messages to Proton Mail.

Preparing your Gmail account for import

You can use Easy Switch to import emails from your Gmail account to your Proton Account.

1. Sign in to your Proton Account at mail.proton.me(new window).

2. Select Settings → Go to Settings → Import via Easy Switch.
   
3. Under Start new import, select Google as the service provider.
   
4. Select what you’d like to import and click Next.
   
5. Sign in to your Google account and click Continue to grant Proton access to your data.

Preparing your Yahoo Mail account for import

If your provider is Yahoo Mail, you need to create an app password in case you don’t have one already. 

1. In your Yahoo account, click on your name in the upper right corner of the screen to open Account info.

2. Go to the Account security section and Generate app password for Mail based on the device you are using. Make sure you remember this app password as you will need it during the import.

Preparing your Outlook account for import

Microsoft Outlook users with 2FA enabled need to generate a so-called app password(new window) before importing their emails into Proton Mail. They also need to have a mobile Microsoft Authenticator app.

To generate your app password:

1. Visit the Security section and select More security options

2. In Additional security options, go to App passwords and select Create a new app password. 

3. Outlook automatically generates your password. Make sure you remember it as you will need it during the import.

If you fail to authenticate, go to your account’s Security section and select Sign in activity. You will then need to confirm that it was you trying to access your Outlook account. 

Preparing your Yandex account for import

To allow import from Yandex, follow these steps: 

1. In your Yandex account(new window), go to Settings (the gear icon in the upper right corner) and then choose All Settings.

2. Select Email clients.

3. Under Use a mail client to retrieve your Yandex mail, check the box next to From the imap.yandex.com server via IMAP and save changes.

You will then need to create a so-called app password:

1. In your Yandex account(new window), select Create an app password 

2. Select Mail, give your password a name, and Create your password. Make sure you remember it as you will need it during the import.

Preparing your GMX account for import

To allow import from GMX, follow these steps: 

1. In your GMX account(new window), go to Settings and select POP3 & IMAP.

2. Check the box next to Send and receive emails via external program and Save.