Hi, tbird 128.5.2esr w11p. Is there a way to archive gmail? There is no gmail acct in archives. And, if an archive for gmail can be created, can it be local only? I want to clear the inbox of old stuff but save it (locally). Also,I don't know if this is the right forum for this ques. pls move if nec. Thank you.

The short answer is no.

Gmail archives to its own all mail folder. Your best bet in my opinion is use Google takeout to archive all mail be label and subsequently import that to Thunderbird as the MBOX format used is compatible with Thunderbird. How to delete all your mail I have no idea. Gmail tends to make that hard.

Tx. I set up takeout but didn't finish, & it's the usual gPIA. So prob not going to use. I'll plan to try synchback instead. This will prob mean I would need to set up another tbird profile & restore the syncback folder(s) to it, then look at whatever I would need from the backup mail.