Overview
Migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and the right tools. This comprehensive guide explains how to successfully migrate your organization's data—including email, files, calendars, and more—using Cloudiway's migration platform.
What Gets Migrated
- Gmail messages and labels
- Google Calendar events
- Google Drive files
- Shared Drive contents
- Google Contacts
- Room and equipment resources
- Permissions and sharing
- Chat messages (Teams)
Email Migration Features
Cloudiway's email migration from Gmail to Microsoft 365 preserves your organization's communication history while adapting to the target platform's structure.
Label to Folder Conversion
Gmail labels are automatically converted to Outlook folders, maintaining your organizational structure.
Delta Pass Migration
Multiple migration passes ensure new emails received during the migration window are captured and synced to Microsoft 365.
Date Range Filtering
Filter migration by date range (e.g., last 6 months) to prioritize recent content and archive older messages separately.
Room & Equipment Migration
Meeting rooms and equipment resources are automatically recreated in Office 365 with calendar links preserved.
File Migration Features
Moving files from Google Drive to OneDrive and SharePoint requires careful handling of permissions, sharing settings, and native file formats.
- Google Drive to OneDrive - Personal files migrate to individual OneDrive accounts
- Shared Drives to SharePoint - Team content moves to SharePoint document libraries
- Permissions preserved - File and folder sharing settings transfer to the target
- "Shared with me" handling - Referenced files remain accessible through proper permission mapping
- No password collection - Administrator service accounts handle authentication
- Delta sync support - Batch migration with incremental updates
Google Native Files
Platform Limitations
Understanding platform constraints helps set realistic expectations for your migration project.
Google API Throttling
Google limits data reads to 2.5-3.5 GB per mailbox every 18-24 hours. This affects large mailbox migration timing.
Microsoft 365 Throttling
Microsoft 365 reduces API call capacity during high-volume periods. Cloudiway's intelligent throttling management achieves 500 GB to 1 TB daily throughput.
Migration Strategies
Choose the right migration approach based on your organization's size and requirements.
Cutover Migration
All users switch to Microsoft 365 simultaneously. This is the simplest approach, recommended for:
- Organizations under 500 users
- Companies with weekend migration windows
- Teams ready for immediate transition
Coexistence Migration
Both systems operate temporarily using mail forwarders. Consider these challenges:
- Tool selection complexity for users
- Room booking conflicts
- File storage location confusion
Recommended Approach
Cloudiway Benefits
Cloudiway's migration platform offers enterprise-grade features designed for secure, reliable migrations.
No Data Storage
In-memory processing only—your data is never stored on Cloudiway servers
Encrypted Transfers
All data in transit is encrypted with zero data loss
Smart Throttling
Automatic throttling management maximizes throughput
Real-time Monitoring
Continuous monitoring and detailed logging throughout migration