Export Gmail Email to EML Files with Attachments: 4 Methods
Quick Answer: To instantly export Gmail emails to EML format – open a specific Gmail message in browser >> three-dots and press “Download Message.” To bulk save multiple Gmail emails as EML from the entire mailbox for local access or backup use free methods – Thunderbird email client. Or dedicated Gmail to EML file converter to skip manual hassle and backup Gmail data in EML file format in an organised & compliant way with all attachments & headers.
Email Storage on Gmail Server VS In EML Files
Exporting Gmail emails in EML format – a standard, portable email format (RFC 822/2822 encoding) containing complete data of an individual email such as metadata, body, attachments, sender and recipient details etc. with originality and formatting preserved throughout. Here is how downloading Gmail mailboxes as EML files is different from cloud:
| Comparison Factor | Gmail Storage | EML Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Email messages are only stored on Google Server | Local access via on-device storage |
| Offline Access of Messages | Only if stored in Offline Mode in chrome | Yes opens with Notepad (MIME text only) or in email clients like Outlook, Apple Mail, etc. |
| Access Control | Need password or OAuth & supports 2FA to access | No password protection |
| Data Storage Limit | 15 GB free | Based on your device storage |
| Email Access in Case of Suspension | Not possible | Possible |
| Best for | Online multi-device access of email service – all general users | Technical backups for backup & recovery needs and archival |
In this comprehensive guide you’ll explore manual as well as automated approaches to export Gmail emails as EML in batch without data loss.
Why Export Gmail Emails to EML? Reasons
Before directly diving into the methods, it is necessary to know the major reasons to download Gmail email as EML.
- EML files allow users to view or access their messages without internet connectivity.
- Wide compatibility of EML format enables users to share or transfer files across various platforms without any hassle.
- EML files retain file original layout, attachments and metadata while ensuring no data loss.
- Saving emails as EML helps in keeping secure backup for records or for any recovery purpose.
- EML files are lightweight and plain-text files which means they can be shared or searched easily without any complications.
Method 1: Download Single Gmail Email as EML File
Gmail allows users to download individual emails into .eml format on phone (via web-browser) or Mac or Windows. Follow the below steps to directly export Gmail to EML from the web interface.
- Login to your Gmail account in your web browser.
- Now, open the email message that you want to save in the EML file format.
- Click on the 3 dots option located at the top right corner.
- Then, scroll down the mouse towards the Download Message.
- Your email will be automatically saved in .eml format on your computer.
Double click on the email message and it will automatically open in one of the supported email clients, which must be installed on your desktop.
Common Queries:
“Why did my downloaded emails open as .txt instead of .eml?”
EML files can be opened with Notepad when set as the default application with chrome. This way you will only access Gmail in plain text format without formatting. To resolve this Go to File >> Right-Click >> Open With and choose an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird.
“I cannot see the Download Message option to save Gmail as EML on iPhone”
This option is only available for the web-version of Gmail. You can access Gmail with chrome, safari, edge or other Web-browser to use the option.
Method 2: Export Gmail Email to EML via “Show Original”
“Show Original” is a native-manual way for IT admins and compliance officers who need to inspect raw headers or technical details before backing up Gmail as EML files.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Open Gmail on a web-browser on a desktop or phone.
- Open the specific Gmail message you want to download as EML.
- Click on More (three-dots) >> Show Original.
- Click Download Original on the left.
Common Query
“Isn’t the Gmail Download Message and the Show Option the same?”
Although both Download Message & Show Original let you backup Gmail emails in EML format. The actual purpose of Show Original was to view the raw source of the email in your browser.
Drawbacks of the In-Built Ways to Backup Gmail as EML
- To export Gmail to EML files, the user has to repeatedly select the desired email file. There is no bulk export option. Hence, the user cannot convert Gmail to EML in batch, which becomes a lengthy conversion process.
Method 3: Free-Solution to Download Gmail Mailbox as EML Files
Using an email client like Thunderbird with ImportExport Tools NG add-on lets you export Gmail emails as EML files in bulk without any added-cost by connecting with IMAP.
- Download the Thunderbird application on your Mac or Windows.
- Enter your Name & Gmail ID in the account configuration pop up.
- Configure your account in Thunderbird via Sign in With Google.
- Go to Themes & Add-on and add ImportExport Tools NG to complete setup.
- Select the Gmail Mailbox you want to export as EML.
- Right click >> ImportExport Tools NG >> Export All Messages In Folder >> EML Message Format.
- Select one of the following options:
- (v15) Messages And HTML Index
- (v15) Messages and Index with Subfolders (recommended)
- Messages And HTML Index
- Messages and Index with Subfolders
- Select the destination and name the output folder.
Limitations of Thunderbird (IMAP) to Save Gmail as EML
- Requires complete Thunderbird setup and account configuration.
- Exports are limited to 4GB exports at once.
- Users report loss of structure & attachment and find it hard to locate emails.
- Less reliable in terms of compatibility with Thunderbird & due to issue like “option greyed out”.
Export Gmail to EML with Pro Tool for Long Term Storage
We have mentioned the manual method and its limitations in the above sections. To overcome these limitations, we recommend you use the BitRecover Gmail Backup Software. This is an ideal solution with an user-friendly interface that allows all types of users to operate the utility hassle-free. By using this approach, you can easily export Gmail to EML files. This multifunctional utility gives users the ability to convert multiple emails from Gmail to PDF, EML and many more formats. There are many benefits associated with this software, which we will discuss in the next section of the blog. Let us first see the working steps to save email as EML in Gmail.
Steps to Use BitRecover Gmail to EML Export Tool
Follow these steps to export Gmail to EML file format:
- Download and install the Gmail to EML Converter on your device.
- Now, enter the Login details of your Gmail account to further continue the process.
- After that, check or uncheck the required folders from the software panel that you want to export.
- Thereafter, select EML as your file saving format to export Gmail to EML.
- Lastly, choose destination path and click Backup to begin the migration process.
- Once the process is done, you can see the output at the chosen file location containing your Gmail to EML converted files.
Why Choose BitRecover Gmail to EML Converter Tool?
This powerful utility is a compilation of useful features that makes the Gmail to EML Conversion an achievable task. There are so many prime advantages of this application. Some of them are listed below:
- With this utility, you can export entire Gmail account emails to EML format at once by using the batch mode option.
- The software provides an Advanced Filter option. It gives the facility to export Gmail to EML selectively without any data loss. The user can manually change filters like Date Range, From, To, Subject, etc.
- It converts not only emails but their corresponding attachments too. Using this tool, you can save Gmail as EML file with attachments.
- The tool has been designed with powerful algorithms so the software never saves your Gmail account credentials. All the user’s data remains secure throughout the processing of export Gmail email to EML.
- This application provides almost 10 different file naming conventions. The user can choose a file name and organize the data that is exported from Gmail to EML as needed.
- This comprehensive utility offers users a wide variety of file formats to allow them to export Gmail emails to TXT, PST, EML, MBOX and more. It also opens a wide path for users in terms of sharing important messages across platforms.
- It supports all Windows OS for conversion. The tool is compatible with Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008, etc.
- This tool comes with a user-friendly and interactive interface so that users never face any hassle saving Gmail as EML.
Select Which Method You Need to Export Gmail Emails as EML
| Comparison Factor | Native Way via Gmail Web App | Using Thunderbird | BitRecover Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous Multi-Account Support | No | No | Yes |
| Exportable Emails at Once | 1 email at once (500 MB per day download limit) | Max 4 GB due to add-on threshold | No limitation |
| Label Structure Preserved | No | Partial (with some export options) | Yes |
| Attachment Loss Risk | None | Possible loss & corruption | None |
| Setup Required | None | Yes, Thunderbird application | Standalone tool for direct export |
| Selective Export | Yes – via manual filtration | Complete Gmail Mailbox Export as EML at Once | Smart Filters like Date, To/From & Subject |
| Works on Mobile | Yes (via Chrome) | No | No |
| Best for | Limited Gmail email export to EML | Cost-free bulk export for tech-savvy users | Personal & professional Gmail to EML backup needs |
| Cost | Free | Free | Paid tool with demo version |
FAQs: Export Gmail to EML Files
Q1. Can I selectively choose emails to convert from Gmail account to EML files?
Yes, in the preview panel of the window, you can select the desired email files and folders to perform the conversion of Gmail to EML.
Q2. Does this software export all folders from a Gmail account to EML?
Yes, the tool will export the inbox, sent items, personal folders, attachments, and all folders from the Gmail account.
Q3. Can I test the tool before purchasing it?
Yes, you can download the demo version of the tool which permits you to convert the first 25 items from each folder to a selected file format.
Q4. Do I need internet connectivity while saving the email in Google Mail to EML files?
No, it is offline software. You can export Gmail to EML irrespective of whether you have Gmail connectivity or not.
Q5. Can I export Gmail emails in bulk as EML files instead of doing one by one?
Yes, you can download Gmail email as EML in bulk by using the professional software as Gmail only allows saving one email at a time in EML format. With this robust tool, you will safely export Gmail to EML files without any data loss.
Q6: Can Google Takeout help export Gmail emails in EML format in bulk?
No, Google Takeout export is limited to MBOX format.
Summing Up
In this blog, we have explained how to export Gmail to EML files. The complete conversion from Google Gmail to EML format becomes so easy with the simplest approach. And, the above-defined solution will definitely let you save Gmail as EML file on your PC in a few mouse clicks. If there are any technical issues or queries related to this conversion, contact our technical support team. They are available 24/7.
