Swiss privacy company Proton has rolled out a significant update to Proton Mail that allows users to connect their Gmail accounts directly to the platform. The feature, announced on 28 May 2026, enables Gmail messages to be imported into Proton Mail and allows users to send and receive emails from their Gmail address, all without toggling between separate inboxes.
The integration is aimed at users looking to transition away from Google’s ecosystem but who face the practical challenge of updating contacts and switching services one by one. Rather than forcing an abrupt departure, Proton is offering a bridge: a managed migration path where Gmail activity is gradually absorbed into Proton Mail.
What the Feature Does, and What It Does Not
When a user activates the Gmail connection via Proton’s Easy Switch tool, their most recent Gmail messages are imported into Proton Mail. Going forward, new emails arriving in Gmail will continue to appear automatically in the Proton inbox. Crucially, Proton says the connection is strictly one-directional in terms of access: connecting Gmail does not grant Google any visibility into the user’s Proton Mail inbox.
From a security standpoint, this is a meaningful distinction. Proton positions the feature as a transitional tool rather than a permanent hybrid solution. The company acknowledges that Google continues to read emails received by a Gmail account, including any sensitive communications. The feature is designed to shrink that exposure over time, not eliminate it overnight.
Privacy Protections Applied to Gmail Traffic
Proton says it applies its standard email protections to Gmail content viewed through the Proton Mail interface. That includes tracker removal, ad stripping, and spam filtering. Unlike Gmail, which the company describes as fundamentally built around advertising, Proton does not scan email content, build advertising profiles, or use user data for AI training purposes.
Proton also highlights an encryption benefit: when both parties in a conversation use Proton Mail, messages exchanged between connected Gmail addresses become end-to-end encrypted, meaning Google cannot read those communications. This incentivises users to encourage their contacts to make the same switch.
A Gradual Exit Strategy from Big Tech
Proton is explicit that the feature is not a long-term solution. The company frames it as part of a broader, gradual transition away from Google, designed to make the process manageable. The recommended approach is for users to update all their important accounts to their Proton address, after which Gmail receives only low-priority mail. Users can then disconnect Gmail entirely from Proton Mail and, if they choose, delete their Google account altogether.
The feature is rolling out gradually, meaning not all users will see it immediately. Setup is straightforward: users open the Easy Switch section in their Proton Mail settings and connect their Gmail account. In addition to Gmail, Proton supports email imports from Outlook, Yahoo, and Apple Mail via the same Easy Switch tool or a standalone import utility.
Wider Context: Google’s Data Practices Under Scrutiny
The launch arrives against a backdrop of sustained criticism of Google’s data harvesting practices. Google uses Gmail activity, including which emails are opened and interacted with, to build user profiles that feed its advertising ecosystem. The company also uses approximate location data derived from email activity to personalise ads. By routing Gmail through Proton’s interface rather than Google’s own apps, users can reduce their exposure to this data collection, even while maintaining their Gmail address.
For IT and security teams advising organisations or individuals on reducing Big Tech data exposure, Proton’s new approach represents a pragmatic middle ground: it acknowledges that cold-turkey Gmail abandonment is impractical for many users and provides a structured, privacy-improving alternative.
