How to Move Google Takeout Files to iCloud – Multiple Solutions

Ritu Roy | email migration How to's mac os mailbox Software Technology | 4 minutes read | Modified on: 04-07-2025
move Google Takeout to iCloud

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of importing your Google Takeout data including emails, contacts, photos, and other files into your iCloud account. This allows you to seamlessly transfer important data from your Google account to Apple’s cloud storage service. If you’re specifically looking to move Google Takeout to iCloud, you can skip ahead to that section for a focused walkthrough.

Google Takeout is a tool developed by the Google Data Liberation Front a team of Google engineers dedicated to helping users export their data. With Takeout, you can download a comprehensive archive of your information from various Google services such as Gmail, YouTube, Drive, Contacts, Calendar, and more. The exported data arrives in a compressed ZIP file, and email data from Gmail is saved in the MBOX file format.

On the other hand, iCloud is Apple’s cloud service that lets you create an account and sync your data across multiple devices. It simplifies sharing photos, notes, emails, and other personal files with family and friends. iCloud also serves as a backup solution for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Now, let’s explore how you can transfer your data from Google Takeout to your iCloud account effortlessly.

Procedure to Import Google Takeout Data to iCloud

Before you begin, it’s important to identify your starting point:

  • If you have already downloaded and extracted your Google Takeout email files, you can skip ahead to Step 2 to directly import these files into the Mac Mail app, which syncs with iCloud.
  • If you have not yet downloaded your Google Takeout data, follow the instructions below to export your data from your Google account first.

Step 1: Download Emails & Photos from Google Takeout

  • Visit Google Takeout and sign in using your Google email address and password.
  • From the list of Google services, select the checkboxes for the data you want to export, such as Emails, Contacts, Photos, Tasks, and others.
  • Click the Next Step button.
  • Choose the export file format and set the export frequency—either a one-time export or scheduled exports every two months for up to a year.
  • Click Create Export.
  • Google will prepare your data and send a download link to your email once ready.
  • Download the exported ZIP file and extract its contents. Your emails will be saved in MBOX format inside the extracted files.

Now that you have your Google Takeout data ready, let’s move on to importing it directly into your iCloud account.

Step 2: Expert Method to Transfer Google Takeout to iCloud

If you’re looking for a quick and hassle-free way to import your Google Takeout data directly into your iCloud account, using a Google Takeout Converter tool is the most efficient solution.

The Tool is a powerful and versatile utility designed to simplify the process of importing Google Takeout data to an iCloud account, as well as other popular email clients. It supports the direct conversion of MBOX files into various file formats such as PST, PDF, EML, MSG, and more making it highly flexible for different platforms and use cases.

Steps to Move Data from Google Takeout to iCloud

To transfer your Google Takeout data (emails, contacts, etc.) directly into your iCloud account using a professional tool like the MBOX Converter, follow the steps below:

  1. Launch the Tool on your system.
  2. Click the “Add File” or “Add Folder” button to load the Google Takeout data (usually in MBOX format) into the software panel.
  3. Once the files are added, click the Next button.
  4. From the preview panel, select the desired files or folders you want to migrate. After making your selection, press Next to proceed.
  5. Choose IMAP as the export option. Enter your iCloud account credentials: Email ID (Apple ID)
  6. Click on the Export button to start the migration process.
  7. The tool will begin uploading your selected Google Takeout data to your iCloud account.
  8. You can monitor the progress on-screen, and once complete, you’ll receive a confirmation.

This method provides a direct and efficient way to move your data without manual file conversions or multiple tools.

Conclusion

In this blog, we explored two reliable methods to import Google Takeout data into iCloud on macOS. While the manual approach is feasible, it involves multiple steps and carries the risk of data loss, making it less suitable for non-technical users or large data sets.

On the other hand, the expert-recommended MBOX to iCloud Migration Tool simplifies the entire migration process. It offers advanced features like bulk conversion, duplicate removal, and direct IMAP export to iCloud, making it a safer, faster, and more efficient solution.

For those seeking accuracy, reliability, and time efficiency, using a professional tool is the best way to ensure a seamless transfer of Google Takeout data to iCloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I import Google Takeout data to iCloud?
A: You can do this in two ways:

  • Manual Method:
    1. Download data (emails/photos) from Google Takeout.
    2. Import .mbox files into the Apple Mail app.
    3. Sync Apple Mail with your iCloud account.
    4. Move photos to the iCloud Photos app manually.
  • Automated Method:
    Use a Google Takeout Migration Tool that supports direct export to iCloud via IMAP. This is quicker, more accurate, and suitable for bulk migration.

Q: Does Google Takeout support direct transfer to iCloud?
A: No. Google Takeout does not offer direct integration with iCloud. It only allows data export from Google services. To import that data into iCloud, users must either perform manual migration or use a third-party tool designed for the task.

Q: Is it safe to enter my iCloud credentials into a converter tool?
A: The converter tool requires you to use an app-specific password generated from your Apple ID (instead of your main password). This enhances security and ensures your main iCloud credentials are never exposed. Always choose verified tools from trusted vendors.