Download Your UAH Google Account Data With Google Takeout

Google Takeout allows you to download any of your @uah.edu data associated with its services, such as your:

• Email
• Documents
• Calendar
• Photos
• Data about registration and account activity

Download your data

Follow the steps below to download your data.

1. While signed in to your UAH Google Account, navigate to takeout.google.com.
   
2. Select the data you wish to download, then click Next Step.
   
3. Choose your preferred Destination, Frequency, File type, and File size then click Create export.
   

The export process can take a long time (possibly hours or days) to complete. You’ll receive an email when your export is done. If you need to cancel the export, you can do so under Export Progress at the bottom of takeout.google.com.

For more information on downloading your data with Google Takeout, please visit this Google Account Help article.

How to use your downloaded data

After downloading your account data, you will need to unzip the .zip  folder or open the .tgz archive in order to access the actual files. 

Depending on which data you chose to download, your files may be in different file formats. Some of the most common file types are CSV files, which can be imported into Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for easy viewing. JSON and HTML file types can be opened in a text editor like Windows Notepad or Apple TextEdit. Certain files may need specific tools or software to open, including Google Calendar events and Gmail.

Your Google Calendar events will be exported as an iCalendar (.ics) file, a universal calendar format used by several email and calendar programs. The following are a few options available to you:

• Import the .ics file into Google Calendar on your personal Google Account. Read more here.
• Import the .ics file into Microsoft Outlook. Read more here.
• Import the .ics file into Apple Calendar on MacOS. Read more here.

Your Gmail messages will be exported as an MBOX (.mbox) file, a standard format for storing email messages. The following are a few options available to you:

• Import the .mbox file into Apple Mail on MacOS. Read more here.
• Import the .mbox file into Mozilla Thunderbird on Mac or Windows after installing the ImportExportTools NG extension. Read more here. 
  • NOTE: This solution uses third-party software that has not been approved for use on UAH-owned computers.
• Use BitRecover's Google Takeout Converter Wizard to import the .mbox file to a personal Gmail account. Read more here.
  • NOTE: This solution uses third-party software that has not been approved for use on UAH-owned computers.
• Use BitRecover's Google Takeout Converter Wizard to the .mbox file to .pst and import it into Microsoft Outlook. Read more here.
  • NOTE: This solution uses third-party software that has not been approved for use on UAH-owned computers.
• Consider using Google Takeout Transfer to copy your gmail data directly from your UAH school account to a personal Gmail account.

MBOX files can be opened using your computer’s default text editor, but this is not recommended since MBOX files tend to be very large and text editors do not organize the data contained within.

Still need help? Contact the OIT Help Desk by emailing helpdesk@uah.edu or calling 256-824-3333.