Data backup has become an essential part of our life. Be it the data stored in our local system or in cloud, all are vulnerable unless it has a backup. Data of web-based email services like Google also requires backup. This write-up will discuss GAFE backup and techniques of performing Google Apps for Education email archiving. Before going into the details, we will learn what is GAFE and importance of Google Apps for Education email migration and the basics of G Suite account backup techniques.“I am currently using Google Apps for Education account. Soon my college will end and I have to let go of this account. Therefore, I want to take Google Apps for Education backup to keep all my projects and other important documents. Does anyone know how can I take GAFE backup?”
What is GAFE: GAFE stands for Google Apps for Education. These days, it is also known as G Suite for Education. Google offers this account to different educational institutes so that the teachers and students can avail the special benefits of GAFE. GAFE features include unlimited storage on Drive along with Gmail, Calendar, Classroom, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Sites, Google Hangout, etc.
Benefits of Using GAFE Account
Educational institutes should avail GAFE for these reasons:1. Classroom, a free Google web service that can only be accessed through GAFE
2. GAFE users will have customized email id, e.g., name@institutename.edu, that can be used for additional benefits
3. 24x7 support from tech experts by email, chat, and telephone
4. Completely Advertisement free service
GAFE users are the people associated with educational institutes. Most of these people are not tech savvy but the data they deal with are valuable. Like any other email account, GAFE backup is also important to protect data from getting lost. In the next part, we will describe how GAFE users can use different techniques for Google Apps for Education email archiving.
How to Perform Google Apps for Education Email Migration
There are several ways to take backup of GAFE. Here we will talk about two manual methods of GAFE backup. One is Google Takeout and another one is by configuring GAFE account in any desktop-based email client.
Google Apps for Education Backup using Google Takeout
Google Takeout is a tool offered by Google to export data from different Google accounts to other email clients or cloud storage. While using Google Takeout, users have to archive complete of selected data items of GAFE account. Later they can either migrate the data to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive; or generate a download link that will be delivered to any specified email account. If any cloud storage is chosen, users will be prompted to enter credentials of that storage account. Then, it will migrate the data to that cloud storage. In case of download link, users can use the link to download the data in their local system. Secured GAFE backup using Google Takeout is possible if users follow the instructions mentioned here.Google Apps for Education Backup using Desktop-based Email
This is another process to backup GAFE account data. To implement this technique, users need to enable the IMAP settings of their Google/ GAFE account. Only after this, they will be able to configure their GAFE account to any desktop-based email clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, Opera Mail, Mailbird, etc. After enabling IMAP, go to the email client of your choice to configure the GAFE account. Users have to follow the steps according to their email client. After the account gets configured, both the accounts will get synchronized. Then users can use drag-and-drop or other techniques to migrate GAFE data to the configured email client. Ultimately, it will create a backup of GAFE account data to the local system.
Advantages of Manual Methods
Disadvantages of Manual Methods
2. Maximum 50 GB data backup is possible using Google Takeout
3. Both the processes are time-consuming. Google Takeout may take up to days to backup, depending on the total volume of GAFE data
4. Users need to have a desktop-based email client installed to perform the second method
5. High chances of data loss/ corruption if there is a mistake while performing the methods