You know as well as we do that it's time to switch your old AOL email to Gmail. Lucky for you, this article will teach you how to do it! Once you've created your Gmail account, it's pretty easy to import your AOL contacts and messages using the import tool. If you want to continue receiving messages on the AOL.com address without having to access it, set up a forwarder indefinitely.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Importing Your AOL Messages and Contacts into Gmail
Step 1. Access your Gmail account at
If it is open, you will be taken to your inbox. Otherwise, follow the onscreen instructions and enter your Google email address and password.
- If you are not registered yet, click on the blue link Create an account.
- If you're using a smartphone or tablet, open a web browser instead of the Gmail mobile app.
Step 2. Click the gear icon in the upper right corner of the page
Then the "Quick settings" menu will be expanded.
Step 3. Click View All Settings
This option is near the top of the "Settings" menu.
Step 4. Click on the Accounts & Import tab
This is the fourth tab at the top of the page.
Step 5. Click Import messages and contacts
This blue link is found under "Import from Yahoo!, Hotmail, AOL or any other email service or POP3 accounts." Then a pop-up window will appear containing a text field.
Step 6. Enter your AOL.com email address and click Continue
Step 7. Enter your AOL password and click Continue
If the password is accepted, you will be asked to select the items you want to import.
Step 8. Select the options you want to import
You might want to import your existing contacts and messages so you don't miss anything important. To forward incoming messages on your AOL.com account to Gmail for the next 30 days, select the "Import new messages in the next 30 days" option.
If you don't plan on deleting your AOL.com email address and want to forward all future messages to Gmail for more than 30 days, skip this part and refer to this section after import
Step 9. Click the Start Import button
Gmail will now connect to your AOL.com account and copy your contacts and messages. At the end of the process, click on OK to close the window.
To completely stop receiving emails from AOL.com, see this article
Method 2 of 2: Forwarding Future AOL Mail Emails to Gmail
Step 1. Access your Gmail account at
If it is open, you will be taken to your inbox. Otherwise, follow the onscreen instructions and enter your Google email address and password.
This method allows you to continue receiving emails sent to your AOL.com Gmail account
Step 2. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the page
Then the "Quick settings" menu will be expanded.
Step 3. Click View All Settings
This option is near the top of the "Settings" menu.
Step 4. Click on the Accounts & Import tab
This is the fourth tab at the top of the page.
Step 5. Tap Add an email account under the "Check email from other accounts" section in the middle of the page
Step 6. Enter your AOL.com email address and click Next
You will then need to enter your password.
Step 7. Select "Link accounts with Gmail" and click Next
This option allows you to send and receive messages from your AOL.com account without leaving Gmail. Then a new window will open.
Step 8. Sign in to your AOL account
To do this, tap your AOL email address in the new pop-up window, click Advance and do the same with the password. After logging in, you will be asked to allow Gmail to access your account.
Step 9. Review the terms of use and click Agree
There are three options that require setting up AOL in Gmail. For more information on the terms of use, click on the link Open terms ID and OAUTH above the first button. After linking the accounts, click on To close in the message.
- Now, any messages sent to your AOL.com account will also appear in your Gmail inbox.
- To send a message from your AOL address via Gmail, select the option to create a new message, click on the reply address (in the "From" field) and select your AOL.com address.
Tips
- Notify your contacts of your address change.
- Choose a username similar to or identical to your AOL address to let your friends familiarize themselves with the transition.
- Customize your account. You can add an image that will be seen by your Gmail friends and adjust other preferences.