Email Import to TrekMail: How It Works

The TrekMail import tool copies email from another provider into a TrekMail mailbox. It does not delete messages from the source account, and it continues in the background after you leave the page.

The connection uses a direct IMAP username and password. A provider that requires an interactive OAuth flow is not compatible unless it also offers another approved direct IMAP credential. In particular, current Exchange Online tenants normally require OAuth; see the Microsoft 365 guide before preparing a batch.

Note: The importer accepts only external IMAP sources (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, cPanel, or another outside provider). It cannot pull from imap.trekmail.net. To copy folders or messages between two TrekMail mailboxes, use a desktop IMAP client with both mailboxes connected. See Moving mail between two TrekMail mailboxes in Starting an Import from the Dashboard.

Tip: Launch the interactive How to Import guided tour directly on the Import page. Click the "How to import" button to walk through each step with real-time highlights.

How it works

TrekMail offers two import modes:

Single Import

A guided 3-step wizard for importing one account at a time:

1. Step 1, Connect: Select your email provider and enter your source credentials. We verify the connection and load your folder list.
2. Step 2, Choose: Pick which folders to import and configure options like duplicate skipping and date filters.
3. Step 3, Import: Choose the destination TrekMail mailbox, review the summary, and start the import.

Bulk Import

Upload a CSV file to migrate many accounts at once. The dashboard previews the file before you start and shows the rows it can accept. A bulk file can contain up to 1,000 rows and must be 2 MB or smaller. See Bulk Email Migration for the full guide.

API and MCP access

If your team uses the TrekMail API or MCP server, see the API documentation for the current migration actions and permissions. The dashboard remains the easiest way to check a source connection, choose folders, and review progress.

What is imported?

• ✅ Emails: Messages in the folders you select, including Inbox, Sent, Drafts, and custom folders.
• ✅ Folder structure: Your folders are recreated in TrekMail.
• ✅ Read/unread status: Preserved where the source provider reports it.

What is NOT imported?

• ❌ Contacts & Calendars: The import tool handles email only. Export and re-import these separately.
• ❌ Filters & Rules: Recreate your forwarding and sorting rules inside TrekMail after the import.
• ❌ Your old account: Nothing is deleted from your original provider.

Before you start

• Keep the source mailbox available. Do not cancel the old service until you have checked the imported folders and planned your mail cutover.
• Plan the MX change separately. You can import historical mail before or after changing your MX records. Choose the order that fits your cutover, then make sure both old and new incoming mail have been checked before closing the old account.
• Start with a small folder if you are unsure. A successful connection check lets you see the source folders and their message counts before you launch the import.