Google is preparing to shut down POP3 email protocol support for Gmail, a change that will significantly affect users who rely on this method to transfer or back up their messages. While new users have already lost access to POP3 since the first quarter of 2026, existing users can still use it until the end of the year. This deadline presents both a challenge and an opportunity for anyone struggling with a full Gmail inbox.

Gmail offers 15GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. Over time, large attachments, photos, and accumulated emails can quickly consume this space, leading to the dreaded “storage full” notification. When that appears, you can no longer send or receive emails until you free up space. The usual solutions involve upgrading to a paid Google One plan or manually deleting old emails—both of which have downsides. The more radical but effective approach is to transfer all your old messages to a new, dedicated “archive” Gmail account.

By creating a second account and using Gmail’s built-in POP3 tools, you can automatically pull every message from your primary inbox into the new one. After the transfer, you can delete the original messages and restore your main account to a near-empty state. This essentially gives you a fresh start with the full 15GB of free storage, without paying a cent. However, time is running out: once Google fully disables POP3, this transfer method will no longer be available.

The entire process requires careful preparation. Before starting, it’s wise to back up your existing emails using Google Takeout. This service lets you download a copy of all your Gmail data to your computer or an external drive. For an account with about 75,000 messages, the download took roughly two hours. Once you have a local backup, you can proceed with the transfer.

Step 1: Enable POP3 on Your Original Account

Log into your existing Gmail account, click the gear icon in the top right, and select “See all settings.” Navigate to the “Forwarding POP/IMAP” tab. Under “POP download,” choose “Enable POP for all mail.” Then, under “When messages are accessed with POP,” select “delete Gmail’s copy” if you want to automatically remove the emails from the original account after transfer. Click “Save Changes.”

Step 2: Create a New Archive Account

Set up a brand new Gmail address that will serve as your long-term storage for old messages. This account should remain relatively untouched, acting solely as an archive. You can name it something like “[yourname].archive@gmail.com.”

Step 3: Link the Accounts and Start the Transfer

Log into your new archive account. Go to Settings > See all settings > Accounts and Import. Next to “Check mail from other accounts,” click “Add a mail account.” Enter your original Gmail address, then select “Import emails from my other account (POP3).” On the next screen, you’ll need to provide the password. However, standard passwords often fail for this purpose. You will likely need to generate a Google app password.

To create an app password, visit https://myaccount.google.com/apppasswords (you must have 2-Step Verification enabled on your Google account). Give the password a name, such as “Bulk Email Transfer,” and click “Create.” A 16-digit code will appear—copy it immediately, as Google will not show it again. Use this code instead of your regular password when prompted in the transfer setup.

Back in the settings, enter the app password. Set the port to 995. Check the boxes for “Always use a secure connection (SSL) when retrieving mail,” “Label incoming messages,” and “Archive incoming messages (Skip the Inbox).” Click “Add Account.” You will also be asked if you want to be able to send mail from your original address through the new account—this is optional but can be useful for replying from the archive. Complete the setup and close the pop-up.

What to Expect During and After the Transfer

Once linked, the transfer begins automatically. For 75,000 messages, the process took about two full days. The original account will move the messages to its Trash folder after they are fetched. You must manually empty the Trash to fully reclaim storage—deleting 75,000 messages from the Trash took roughly one hour. After completion, the original account’s storage usage in the test dropped from over 12GB (80% of the 15GB limit) to just 0.66GB, with only 0.06GB from Gmail itself.

Messages That Don’t Transfer

Gmail’s POP3 import will not transfer Drafts or Spam. You’ll need to handle Drafts manually. Spam messages are automatically deleted after 30 days, so you can let them expire or delete them manually from the Spam folder after the transfer.

Finalizing: Disconnect and Delete the App Password

After all messages have been imported, you should stop the automatic fetching to avoid duplicate transfers. Log into the archive account, go to Settings > Accounts and Import, and under “Check mail from other accounts,” click “delete” next to your original account. Confirm the deletion. If you created an app password, return to the app passwords page and click the trash icon to revoke it. This ensures security.

One final note: Google deletes accounts that have been inactive for more than two years. Although your archive account will not be your primary email, you should log in at least once every two years to keep it active. Better yet, forward occasional emails to it or set a calendar reminder.

By following these steps, you can effectively double your free Google storage without paying for a subscription. With POP3 support ending, now is the last best window to use this loophole. Don’t wait until your inbox is completely full and you lose email access. Acting sooner rather than later will save you time and frustration.

For those who prefer not to create a second account, alternatives exist. You can upgrade to Google One, starting at $20 per year for 100GB. Or you could filter and delete large emails using Gmail’s search tools (e.g., size:10mb). However, the transfer method is the only way to completely offload your entire email history without ongoing costs. As Google moves toward more modern protocols like IMAP, POP3 will become a thing of the past. Make the most of it while it lasts.

Source: CNET News