Convert EML to MBOX Mailbox Format to Access them Easily
If you are looking forward to converting EML to MBOX using easy steps. This guide provides a detailed discussion on exporting EML to MBOX. If you are transitioning from EML email clients to MBOX archive standards, you can follow the solutions in this article. However, over time, you may need to convert EML to MBOX for certain reasons such as, managing your emails, creating backups, migrating, or ensuring compatibility while saving time and effort.
What is the Fastest Way to Convert EML to MBOX?
The easiest way to convert EML files into an MBOX mailbox format is by importing EML messages into Thunderbird or Apple Mail and exporting the mailbox as MBOX. If you have a large number of EML files, an automated and reliable solution will significantly work faster as it combines multiple EML files into a single MBOX file ensuring all metadata, attachments and overall hierarchy is well preserved.
In this guide, you will get to explore how to export EML to MBOX and why this process is so important. We will discuss all the possible solutions to complete this whole procedure accurately which will be helpful for both technical and non-technical users as they can easily convert emails from .eml to .mbox. For a better understanding and better results, you need to stick around until the end of this blog.
EML vs MBOX
EML files are individual email messages saved in a plain text format that includes the message body, sender & receiver’s information, subject, attachments, etc. Popular email clients such as Windows Live Mail, Outlook Express, Mozilla Thunderbird and Apple Mail often save emails as EML files.
Whereas, MBOX files, on the other hand, are single files that store multiple email messages in a concatenated text format. Popular email clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, and Opera Mail use the MBOX file format to store and save your whole mailbox data.
Mistakes to Avoid While Converting EML to MBOX Format
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Exporting Corrupted
EML Files can affect the output preference of the users as the file becomes inaccessible. |
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Importing emails multiple times can Create duplicacy within the output results and user might get confused.
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Wrong Character Encoding should be taken care of if user wants to access their important data in original form.
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If the export process of EML files is Interrupted, resultant files may be broken or not working due to multiple reasons.
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Missing any Important Attachments while exporting data can affect the overall data management.
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Reasons to Convert EML Files to MBOX Format
- MBOX files work better with multiple email programs and devices as compared to EML.
- It helps you keep a large number of EML files together in one easy-to-manage MBOX file.
- MBOX file is commonly used for saving and backing up emails as per the requirements.
- Converting to MBOX format also helps to move emails to webmail services as well.
- MBOX files can be used as a long-lasting and strong backup of your emails and other data.
Export EML File to MBOX Manually
Applications such as Thunderbird and Apple Mail allow users to convert EML to MBOX format. Let us know the working steps of both the platforms.
Manual Method 1: Convert EML Files to MBOX Using Thunderbird
Step 1: Use Mozilla Thunderbird to Sync an Account
- Install Mozilla Thunderbird on your PC.
- In Thunderbird, set up your email address.
- In the left pane, right-click on the local folder.
- Transfer your EML files to a new folder that you created.
- Mozilla Thunderbird has added your EML files.
Step 2: Following Synchronization, Convert EML Files to MBOX
- Select “Add-ons and Themes” after going to “Account Settings.”
- Find “ImportExportTools NG” by searching and click on Add to Thunderbird.
- Right-click the EML folder and select “ImportExportTools NG” option.
- Click on the export a folder option.
- Select where you want the folder to be saved.
- You can convert EML to MBOX in this way.
Manual Method 2: Export EML Files to MBOX Using Apple Mail
- Open Apple Mail and create a new folder under “On My Mac.”
- Go to Mailbox and select New Mailbox.
- In Finder, open the EML files with Apple Mail.
- In a separate window, choose to Move and move the EML files to an existing mailbox or the new folder you made.
- Right-click the EML folder you want to convert to MBOX and select Export Mailbox.
- This will create an MBOX folder, which looks like a regular folder in Finder.
- You can import this MBOX folder into another app that supports it or zip it to move it to its final destination.
Drawbacks of Using Manual Methods
- They only allow you to export EML files one-by-one.
- These methods are very time-consuming while dealing with multiple files.
- Does not offer any advanced feature to export specific files only.
- You may lose important data or even face corruption in resultant files.
- They do not offer to preserve your data integrity and hierarchy.
- Very complex and confusing methods if you are a non-technical user.
Recommended Tool to Convert EML to MBOX File in Bulk
Use the all-in-one BitRecover EML Converter Tool software that offers an easy option for converting EML files to MBOX format in batch, so users can save their valuable time and effort. This application is also known as the best EML to MBOX Converter because it has the functionality to combine various EML files to a single MBOX file. There are no file size or quantity limitations for completing the procedure, so just go with this excellent technique.
What Makes EML to MBOX Converter So Demanding?
- It offers dual options to choose .eml files. You can choose from “Select File” or “Select Folders”.
- It preserves the originality and formatting of your data very well.
- It provides a demo edition so you can test and understand all the features before opting for the licensed version.
- It completes the whole process without wasting much time.
- Allows you to convert EML files to MBOX selectively according to your needs.
- You can choose a destination location to save your resultant data.
- “Allows you to export EML to MBOX in bulk, which saves a lot of time and effort.
How to Convert EML to MBOX Format in Batch?
After downloading the suggested software anyone can easily combine various EML files into a single MBOX file by following a few simple steps as given below.
- Run EML to MBOX Converter and choose one option from Select Files or Select Folder to load .eml files in the software panel.
- Now select all or required emails from software panel and click on the Next button.
- Select MBOX as the saving format, and if you want to change the destination path, then choose Destination path and your required file name; afterwards, press the Next button.
- You can also select your required advanced filters to organize and convert your EML files into MBOX specifically.
- Lastly, click on the Convert button to convert EML to MBOX.
Manual vs Automated Approach: Clear Comparison
| Criteria | Manual Approach | Automated Solution |
| Batch Conversion | It is not possible to convert in bulk using the manual way. | You can convert multiple files in bulk at once. |
| Conversion Speed | Takes time, as every file has to be converted one by one. | Does not take time. It is converted in just 5 easy steps. |
| Advanced Filters | No advanced filters or features to specify and organize data files. | Convert data on your own terms, using the advanced features. |
| Original Structure Preservation | The original structure and hierarchy get disturbed while manually exporting. | Keeps the data files’ structure and metadata intact. |
| Ease of Use | A complex user interface that requires technical knowledge to export data. | Its user-friendly interface requires no technical knowledge. |
| Compatibility | Compatible with specific email clients and requires the installation of Thunderbird and Apple Mail on the system. | Supports: Windows OS 11, 10, 8, 7, etc, and Mac OS Sequoia, High Sierra, EL Capitan, Yosemite, etc. |
Final Words
We hope the above four methods were helpful for you to convert EML to MBOX. However, the EML file to MBOX converter is really the best tool, which is specially designed to convert EML files to MBOX mailbox format in bulk. So it is helpful for users to save time and effort. Before purchasing the tool, users can test it as it comes with a free demo edition. One of the best features of this product is that it is compatible with all the latest as well as older Windows operating systems. The company provides a 30-day money-back guarantee in case of software failure so enjoy the conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: Are there any limitations to converting EML to MBOX format?
There are no limitations to exporting EML to MBOX format as the tool permits to convert unlimited files without size limitations.
Q 2: Does it maintain email attachments while converting EML files to MBOX format?
Yes, we have already mentioned this point in software features as the tool is capable of converting EML to MBOX, including attachments.
Q 3: Which email clients allow you to import the resultant MBOX file after conversion?
There are various email clients available in this digital world that allow importing resultant MBOX files, but here we are mentioning only a few major email clients with screenshots of the import option.
- Mozilla Thunderbird – After downloading a freeware add-on, Mozilla Thunderbird gives you facility to import mailboxes by clicking on Import MBOX file option as shown in the screenshot.
- Apple Mail – Apple Mail (Mac Mail) email client also gives you the freedom to import mailboxes by choosing ‘Import data from files in MBOX format’, which is beneficial for users.
- Eudora Mail – Run Eudora Mail email client and click on Tools and after that choose Import option to load resultant MBOX files as shown in the screenshot.
- SeaMonkey – SeaMonkey is similar to Mozilla Thunderbird so first download free add-on (ImportExport Tools) after that you can import mailboxes in SeaMonkey as you can see in the given screenshot.


















