Setting up MailPorter if you used Gmail's mail fetcher
If you were using Gmail's built-in "Check mail from other accounts" feature before it was discontinued, this guide will walk you through setting up MailPorter as a replacement. The process is straightforward and takes about five minutes.
Before you start
You'll need the same information you had entered in Gmail's settings. If you remember those details, great - you can use them directly. If not, don't worry; MailPorter can auto-detect settings for most common email providers.
What you'll need:
- Your mail server address (something like
pop.mail.yahoo.comorimap.mail.yahoo.com) - The port number (usually
995for POP3 or993for IMAP with SSL) - Your email address and password for that account
If you don't have this information handy, check your email provider's help documentation, or just try MailPorter's auto-detect feature - it works with most major providers.
Step 1: Sign in to MailPorter with Google
Go to MailPorter and click "Continue with Google." Choose the Google account where you want your emails imported - this should be the same Gmail account you were using with the old mail fetcher.
During sign-in, Google will show you what permissions MailPorter is requesting. We ask for the ability to insert emails and manage labels. Unlike Gmail's old feature, we can't read your existing emails - we can only add new ones.
Step 2: Create a sync job
Once you're signed in, click "Create Sync Job" from your dashboard. You'll enter your mail server details:
- 1Protocol: Choose POP3 or IMAP (if you're not sure, IMAP is usually a safe choice)
- 2Server address: Enter the hostname (like
imap.mail.yahoo.com) - 3Port: Usually 993 for IMAP or 995 for POP3 with SSL
- 4Email and password: Your credentials for the source account
If you're using a common provider like Yahoo, Outlook, or AOL, MailPorter can often auto-detect the server settings. Just enter your email address and we'll try to fill in the rest.
Step 3: Configure options (optional)
Before saving, you can configure a few additional options:
- Gmail labels: Choose which labels to apply to imported emails, so you can filter them easily
- Post-import action: Decide what happens to emails on your source server after they're imported (leave them, mark as read, or delete)
These are optional - the defaults work fine for most people.
Step 4: Let it run
Click "Create" to save your sync job. MailPorter will test the connection to your mail server and start importing emails right away. You can watch the progress from your dashboard.
The initial import might take a while if you have a lot of emails, but it happens automatically in the background. Going forward, MailPorter will check your mail server on a schedule and import any new emails it finds.
What about emails that were already imported?
Emails that Gmail's old fetcher already imported into your inbox will stay right where they are - nothing gets deleted or moved. MailPorter tracks which emails have been imported using the Message-ID header, so you won't get duplicates.
When MailPorter connects to your mail server, it will import any emails that hadn't been fetched yet (maybe because they arrived after Gmail's feature stopped working), plus all new emails going forward.
Troubleshooting
Connection errors
If MailPorter can't connect to your mail server, double-check that you've entered the correct server address and port. Make sure you're using the right encryption setting (SSL/TLS is the default and works for most servers).
Authentication errors
Some email providers (including Yahoo, Microsoft, and Google) require you to use an "app password" instead of your regular password when connecting from third-party services. You can generate an app password in your email provider's security settings. Look for something like "App passwords" or "Third-party app access."
Slow import
If you have a large mailbox, the initial import can take some time. This is normal - MailPorter is fetching all your emails one by one and importing them to Gmail. The progress is tracked automatically, so if something interrupts the process, it will pick up where it left off.
Ready to get started?
The free plan includes one sync job with unlimited emails. Setup takes about five minutes, and you don't need a credit card to sign up.
Get Started