Gmail Backup: Save All Emails Locally
Gmail offers 15 GB of free storage — shared with Google Drive and Google Photos. But what happens if your account gets locked, your storage fills up, or Google changes its terms? With mailriva, you can create a local backup of your Gmail emails directly on your computer, without any web tool, and without modifying your mailbox.
Why a Gmail Backup Matters
Many users trust Google to keep their emails safe. But a locked account, a forgotten password, or an accidental deletion can cost you access to years of correspondence. The 15 GB of free storage also fills up quickly — especially since Drive and Photos share the same quota. If you don't want to upgrade to Google One, you need a local alternative.
Google does offer Google Takeout, but the export files are often difficult to work with: large ZIP archives in MBOX format, without a clear folder structure. mailriva provides a much more convenient solution.
Google Takeout vs. mailriva
| Criteria | Google Takeout | mailriva |
|---|---|---|
| Format | MBOX files in ZIP | Structured local archive |
| Folder structure | Lost | Preserved |
| Selective export | All or nothing | Choose by folder |
| Reusability | Requires converter | Directly usable as source |
| Privacy | Google servers | 100% local |
Prerequisite: Create an App Password
Google does not allow IMAP access with your regular password when 2-Step Verification is enabled. Instead, you need an App Password. Here's how to create one:
- Go to myaccount.google.com and navigate to Security.
- Make sure 2-Step Verification is enabled.
- Go to App Passwords and create a new password for "Mail".
- Copy the 16-character password and use it in mailriva.
The IMAP server for Gmail is imap.gmail.com (port 993, SSL). mailriva fills in these settings automatically when you select Gmail as provider.
How to Back Up Your Gmail Emails Locally
Create an App Password
Create an App Password in your Google Account. This is required so mailriva can securely access your mailbox.
Download mailriva
Download mailriva for free and install the app on your Windows PC or Mac.
Connect Gmail as source
Select Gmail as the source provider and sign in with your Gmail address and the App Password.
Choose a local archive as destination
Select a local folder on your computer as the storage target. Your emails will be saved there as copies.
Start the backup
Select the folders you want to back up and start the process. Your Gmail mailbox remains completely unchanged.
Your Advantages with mailriva
- Passwords stay on your computer — no cloud service involved
- Gmail mailbox remains completely unchanged
- Folder structure and labels are preserved during backup
- All attachments are included
- No web tool — everything runs locally on your computer
- Backup can be used as a source for future migrations
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Gmail emails be deleted during backup?
No. mailriva only creates copies of your emails. Nothing in your Gmail mailbox is modified, moved, or deleted.
Do I need an App Password?
Yes, if 2-Step Verification is enabled (which Google recommends). The App Password is only used for IMAP access and can be revoked at any time.
What's better — Google Takeout or mailriva?
Google Takeout exports everything into large MBOX files without folder structure. mailriva preserves the structure and allows selective backups of individual folders.