The most direct way to back up your Gmail is through Google Takeout . This built-in service allows you to export your entire mailbox or specific labels into a single compressed file.
: You can set it to export your data once or schedule recurring backups every two months for a year.
: It allows you to archive emails from Gmail via IMAP or POP3 directly to your local hard drive.
For those who prefer a dedicated desktop application, MailStore Home remains a top-rated free archiving tool for personal use.