Yahoo does not have any built-in (or native) methods to directly export email out of a Yahoo account. Instead, we use the IMAP protocol to get around this hurdle.


1. Request a Yahoo mail import

In order to export email from your Yahoo email into GoldFynch, please execute the following steps:


Step 1. Enter the GoldFynch case (only available on paid GoldFynch plans) you want the Yahoo email exported into (create one if you want a new case)

Step 2. On the summary page, select the 'Add-on Services' tab 

Step 3. Click begin import under the "email import" section. This will notify us to begin the email importSubmit a request for the service

Submit an email import service request from the Add-on Services screen

2. Authorize GoldFynch to import your emails


For GoldFynch to access the emails in your Yahoo account to import them, you will need to provide some details which depend on your account's security settings:

  • If you have Two-step verification turned on, we don’t use your Yahoo account password directly, and will need an ‘application password’ generated by your Yahoo account to connect to it. Once the process has been completed, we will notify you and you can delete the application password, which effectively blocks further access to your Yahoo email
  • If you do not have Two-step verification turned on, you will need to provide GoldFynch with access details, as well as enable the 'Allow apps that use less secure sign in' option in your account settings. You can disable this setting once the process is complete

NOTE: 'Two-step verification' is when you receive an email or text message confirmation each time you log in.


Step 1. Sign into your Yahoo account


Step 2. Go the security settings section of your account. 
Your Yahoo account security page is located at: https://login.yahoo.com/account/security


Alternatively, click on your name in the top-right corner your Yahoo account's screen, then the 'Account info' in the drop-down box, and finally the 'Account security' tab in the left menu

Provide access to GoldFynch based on your security settings

Depending on your security settings, authorize GoldFynch to access the emails to be imported

Step 3. Based on your existing settings:

  • If 'Two-step verification' is disabled, enable the 'Allow apps that use less secure sign-in' (the toggle should appear blue)
  • If 'Two-step verification' is enabled, follow Section 3 ('How to generate a Yahoo application password') of this guide to obtain an application password, then, after copying the application password, continue from here


Step 4. Click the 'Help' button in the top right. This will open a support request 

Submit details of the Yahoo account via a secure support request

Open up the support request screen


Step 5. Enter the following information in the support request:

  • The Yahoo user ID

  • The Yahoo Password, or Application Password (based on step 4)

  • (optional) The name of the folder you need to be exported. If no folder is specified, we will export the entire email account into a GoldFynch case


Step 6. Click on the 'Submit Question' button. This will securely transmit the information to the GoldFynch team

Sample support request for Yahoo email export

Sample support request for Yahoo email export


3. Generate a Yahoo application password


NOTE: This step is required only if you have Two-step verification turned on (e.g. you get a text message for confirmation when you log in)


If you have Two-step verification enabled, we don’t directly use your Yahoo account's password, and instead, use an ‘application password’ that your Yahoo account generates with which GoldFynch can connect to it. Once the process has been completed, we will notify you and you can delete the application password, blocking further access to your Yahoo email. To generate the application password:


Step 1. Sign into your Yahoo account

Step 2. Click on the following link or copy paste it directly into your browser. This will take you directly to your Yahoo account security page: https://login.yahoo.com/account/security

Step 3. Click on the 'Generate app password' link (as seen in the figure below). If you are already using this Yahoo service, click on the link that says 'Manage app passwords'

Yahoo account security options

Yahoo account security options


Step 4. Click on the 'Select your app' drop-down box and choose the 'Other App' option

Applications password generation modal

Applications password generation modal


Step 5. Enter 'GoldFynch' as the name and click on the 'Generate' button

Generate the application password

Generate the application password


Step 6. A modal will show up with the application password in it. This is the only time the application password will be displayed. Copy the entire password, then click on the 'Done' button, and return to Step 4 of Section 2 ("Authorize GoldFynch to import your emails") to submit a service request with the application password

Note that the spaces will not copy and are not required


4. Track the status of the email export

You can track the status of the import process through the GoldFynch web app. To do so, follow these steps:


Step 1. Enter the case under which you have submitted the request

Step 2. Click on the 'Add-on Services' tab

If there has been an update in the status of the request, you will see a notification icon next to the 'Add-on Services' tab

Step 3. Click on the 'Check Status' button against the 'E-mail Import' service

You will be shown the number of updates against each service

Step 4. The current status of the process will be displayed on the right of the screen. The time and date that each update occurred and a short description of that stage of the process will be displayed as wellTrack the status of the process

The status of the process will be updated and as it progresses

5. Delete the Yahoo Application Password

When the process of exporting the email is complete, the GoldFynch team will notify you. Note that the Yahoo export process is notoriously slow. It can take anywhere from 1 hour or a few hours to complete depending on the size of the emails being exported. The average speed is usually 700 MB / hour for volume or capped to 1 email / sec. So 1 GB of emails will take at least 1 ½ hours.


Step 1. Click on the following link or copy paste it directly into your browser. This will take you directly to your Yahoo account security page: https://login.yahoo.com/account/security

Step 2. Click on the “Manage app password” link (as seen in the figure below)

Click on the 'Manage app passwords' link

Once the process is complete, you can revoke GoldFynch's access to the account by deleting the application password


Step 3. Click the “trash bin” icon next to the GoldFynch name. This will delete account access

 Deleting the GoldFynch application password

Deleting the GoldFynch application password


Please note there is a fee of $35 per email account+ $15 per GB, which will be billed to your account.