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Gmail POP fetch alternatives, provider by provider

Updated · Rotomal

The main replacement for Gmail's POP fetch is automatic forwarding set up in the other mailbox, so new mail is pushed into Gmail instead of pulled. Outlook.com has forwarding under Settings, Mail, Forwarding and IMAP; Yahoo allows automatic forwarding only with Yahoo Mail Plus. Where forwarding is not offered or costs money, add the account to the Gmail app over IMAP, use a mail app, or do a one-time import and retire the address.

Forwarding, provider by provider

ProviderWhere to find forwardingNotes
Outlook.com and HotmailSettings, Mail, Forwarding and IMAP, then Enable forwardingYou may be asked to sign in again before the setting appears
Yahoo MailSettings, More Settings, Mailboxes, your mailbox, ForwardingYahoo says forwarding requires Yahoo Mail Plus and is not offered in all locales
Internet provider mailboxesUsually in the provider's webmail settingsCheck the provider's help pages; some do not offer forwarding
Web host mailboxes (cPanel and similar)Usually under Email, Forwarders, in the hosting control panelSend a test message from another account before you rely on it

Set up forwarding in Outlook.com

  • Sign in to Outlook.com and select the gear icon (Settings).
  • Go to Mail, then Forwarding and IMAP.
  • Select Enable forwarding and enter your Gmail address.
  • Save, then send a test message to your Outlook.com address and check it arrives in Gmail.

Free route when forwarding is not available

Google's help page says you can add third-party accounts such as Yahoo or Outlook to the Gmail app on Android, iPhone and iPad, which uses IMAP. You read that inbox in the app rather than in Gmail on a computer, but it is free and keeps working after January 2027.

Retire an address you hardly use

  • In Gmail on a computer, run a one-time import of the old account's mail and contacts.
  • Send a short note from the old address telling regular contacts your Gmail address.
  • Set an auto-reply on the old mailbox, if the provider offers one, pointing to your Gmail address.
  • Check the old mailbox once a month for a few months, then stop.

Business addresses

If the address is your business domain, such as info@ on a web host, forwarding works for reading, but from January 2027 Gmail no longer lets you "Send as" that address, so replies need the host's webmail or a mail app. Moving the domain's mail to a proper mailbox, such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, costs a monthly fee but gives you one place to read and reply from your business address; Google says Workspace aliases are not affected by the change.

If you want help

Gmail POP Switch picks the option for each address, gives you the exact steps for that provider, and checks with a test message that mail arrives. We never ask for your passwords. $19 per address, paid once.

Questions

What replaces Gmail's Check mail from other accounts?

Google suggests automatic forwarding from the other provider into Gmail, or adding the account to the Gmail mobile app over IMAP. A one-time import is also still available.

How do I forward Outlook.com mail to Gmail?

In Outlook.com, open Settings, Mail, Forwarding and IMAP, select Enable forwarding, enter your Gmail address and save.

Can I forward Yahoo Mail to Gmail for free?

Yahoo's help page says automatic forwarding requires Yahoo Mail Plus. The free alternative is adding the Yahoo account to the Gmail app or a mail app.

Can I still add another account to the Gmail app?

Yes. Google says you can add accounts such as Yahoo or Outlook to the Gmail app on Android, iPhone and iPad, using IMAP.

Does forwarding keep a copy in the old mailbox?

It depends on the provider. Microsoft's Outlook on the web has a "Keep a copy of forwarded messages" option; check your provider's settings.

Sources

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