Proton Mail adds support for Gmail account syncing and sending

Proton has announced a new feature that allows users to connect their Gmail accounts directly to Proton Mail, enabling them to read and send Gmail messages from within Proton’s encrypted email platform.

The feature is designed to simplify migration away from Google’s email ecosystem by reducing the friction associated with switching providers. Once connected through Proton Mail’s “Easy Switch” settings, recent Gmail messages are imported into Proton Mail, while new incoming Gmail emails continue syncing automatically.

Proton says users can also send emails using their Gmail address inside Proton Mail, removing the need to use Google’s Gmail app or web interface during the transition period.

The Switzerland-based company positions the feature as a privacy-focused alternative to interacting directly with Gmail, arguing that Google uses email activity and other behavioral data for advertising and profiling purposes. Proton claims its platform strips trackers, ads, and spam from imported messages and does not scan inbox content for advertising or AI training.

The company also noted that emails exchanged between Proton users who connect their Gmail accounts can become end-to-end encrypted within Proton’s ecosystem, limiting Google’s ability to access message content in those cases.

“Google will no longer be able to use your email activity, such as which emails you read and engage with, to build a profile about you,” explains Proton.

“When your friends and family use Proton Mail too, messages exchanged between Gmail addresses connected to Proton become end-to-end encrypted, so Google will not be able to read your data anymore.”

Proton emphasized that connecting Gmail does not provide Google access to a user’s Proton Mail inbox. However, the company acknowledged that emails still sent directly to Gmail accounts remain accessible to Google until users fully migrate away from the service.

The Gmail integration is rolling out gradually and may not yet be visible to all Proton Mail users. In addition to Gmail, Proton supports importing mail from Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Apple Mail through its Easy Switch migration tool.