Migrating G Suite Hangouts Chats to Office 365

Read time 8 minutes

Google Hangouts, a messaging application offered by Google, is now integrated into the G Suite, which is known as Google Workspace. This suite includes two primary applications: Google Chat and Google Meet. Google Chat is a messaging application, while Google Meet allows users to connect through video conferencing.

When considering the migration of Gmail mailboxes to an Office 365 destination, some users also want to migrate the information exchanged in Google Hangouts Chats. In this blog, we aim to provide the most effective solution for migrating G Suite Hangouts Chats to Office 365.

About Manual Ways to Migrate G Suite Hangouts Chats to Office 365

Regrettably, there are no straightforward manual methods available for migrating G Suite Hangouts Chats to Office 365. Nevertheless, it is feasible to manually back up Google Hangouts Chats in PDF or TXT format (from labels) and in .JSON format using Google Takeout. These files can serve as a backup stored on your system.

To utilize the Google Takeout feature for backing up Google Hangouts Chats, follow these steps:

1. Under the CREATE A NEW EXPORT section, select the checkbox Deselect All and then select the Hangouts option. Click Next step to continue.
2. In the second step, select the Delivery method like Send download link via email, Add to Drive, Add to Dropbox, Add to OneDrive or other, and choose the Export frequency next.
3. Select the file type from .zip and .tgz and file size from 1GB to 50GB. Then click the Create export option.
4. The export progress will begin.
5. Once the process is completed, a Download link will appear. Click on this link to download the exported file.
6. Confirm the sign-in credentials for download.
7. When you extract the .zip file, you will get the exported Hangouts file in .JSON format.

So, the Google Hangouts Chats is backed up in the .JSON format on the system Download folder.

Directly migrating G Suite Hangouts chats to Office 365 becomes feasible by selecting the appropriate third-party migration tool. Kernel G Suite to Office 365 is a professional solution that facilitates the direct migration of Hangouts chats alongside other G Suite data, including Gmail, Contacts, and Calendars, to your Office 365 destination. It streamlines the process of moving chats from multiple G Suite mailboxes to Office 365 mailboxes in a single operation.

The tool supports bulk G Suite data migration to Office 365 through the use of a CSV file or a Super Admin account. With a user-friendly interface, compatibility with all Microsoft 365 plans, and a focus on data security to minimize any risk of data loss, it’s a reliable choice for this migration task.

1. Run the Kernel G Suite to Office 365 migration tool.
2. Under the Add Source section, click Add to add the source G Suite account using its details.
3. Add the source G Suite account with the service account ID and P12 File Path details. Select the second option to list the mailboxes and click on the Get User Mailbox(es) option to retrieve all the mailboxes. Select the desired mailboxes from which you want to migrate Hangouts chats. Click Add.

   Note: To create the service account ID in G Suite and know the P12 file path, you can take help from the instructions on the right panel on the G Suite Login page

4. The selected source mailboxes are added. Now under the Add Destination section, click Add.
5. Provide the Office 365 Global admin account login details – username and password. Add the desired destination mailboxes. Click Add to add the selected mailboxes.
6. Now, perform the mapping of the source mailboxes to the desired destination mailboxes as per the requirements. Then click Set Filter and Migrate option.



7. Next, you have options to choose the mailboxes – Archive mailbox, or Public folder – from the chosen destination mailboxes. Click Migrate to continue.
8. From the Filter Selection page, choose CHAT folder from each of the source mailboxes. If you want to move the other mailboxes items like emails, select those folders as well. Add Date filter using a specific date range (optional), choose other mailbox items for migration (optional), and select more migration filter options if needed. Finally, click on I am OK, Start Migration to start the Hangouts chats migration to the Office 365 cloud mailboxes.
9. The migration will get started, and you can see the live progress. Wait until the migration is completed. Once successfully migrated, users can save the migration report in the CSV file format.

The migration process for G Suite Hangouts Chats to Office 365 with Kernel G Suite to Office 365 is straightforward and does not involve intermediate steps or complex stages. In just a few simple steps, the tool ensures a seamless and efficient migration of your Hangouts Chats to Office 365, simplifying the entire process for users.