Export MBOX File from Thunderbird Directly & Indirectly

Rollins Duke
Published: April 29th, 2025 • 7 Min Read

There are times when we may want to export MBOX file from Thunderbird email client, or we may be moving our data from one email client to another. Similarly, many users of Thunderbird email client find multiple ways to convert their mailbox data. If you are also among them then you have come to the right article, here you will get multiple methods to complete this task.

In this article, we will explain both manual and automatic solutions, if you are one of those users who are not familiar with Thunderbird features then using the manual method will become a difficult task for you. Don’t worry, here I will show you the complete process of how to convert Thunderbird emails to MBOX even using professional solutions.

But going to the main point, let us first understand why any user got the idea to find the solution to this query.

Reasons to Export MBOX File from Thunderbird

Users may export MBOX files to easily move their email data when they switch email clients, such as transfer Thunderbird to Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, Maildir, etc.
Important emails can be archived and kept apart from the active mailbox with the aid of MBOX exports.
MBOX files can be shared by users with coworkers or collaborators in order to share certain email threads or data.
MBOX files are a flexible option for data storage because they are extensively supported by a variety of email clients and systems.
To handle and arrange emails external to Thunderbird, or to arrange emails according to a certain sender, date, or set of criteria.
Emails may be accessed offline using MBOX files, which are especially helpful in places with spotty or inconsistent internet access.

Prominent Ways to Convert MBOX to Thunderbird

There are two methods discussed in this article to export MBOX file from Thunderbird, which are manual and professional methods. If you have some technical knowledge and are familiar with the features of the Thunderbird email client, you can also use the manual solution. If you do not have any technical knowledge and you do not have any special knowledge about the features of Thunderbird, then you can use our second solution.

Method 1: Export Thunderbird to MBOX Using ImportExportTools NG

Run the Thunderbird email client on your System.
After that, choose the Add-ons option on the Tools menu.
In the search bar, search for the ImportExportTools plugin, and after that, add it to Thunderbird.
Once done, choose an email folder, and right-click it.
Choose ImportExportTools << Export Folder option.
Now select a folder to save emails from Thunderbird and press the Select Folder button.
At last, open the destination folder and check all the data.

Limitations of Manual Technique

Using the manual method to export MBOX file from Thunderbird may have the possibility of causing data loss issues.
This method does not guarantee that you will get all the files attached to MBOX documents.
You may see some broken inline images and missing emails in the output.
It has been seen many times that there is a risk of data corruption with this method.
The original folder will not be maintained.

Method 2: Export MBOX File from Thunderbird Using Automated Tool

Here we will show you one of the best and most direct solutions BitRecover Thunderbird Converter to export MBOX file from Thunderbird. The tool has many advanced features and capabilities, like bulk and selected email conversion. Also, the best thing about this Thunderbird export MBOX tool is that there is no need to download any third-party tool. Plus, the users can install the tool on any Windows OS, including the latest versions, and successfully do the Thunderbird MBOX export. Over and above that, the advanced features and working steps of the Thunderbird to MBOX tool are mentioned below.

Download Now Purchase Now

Step-by-Step Guide to Export Thunderbird to MBOX Professionally

First of all, install the Thunderbird to MBOX converter on your machine.
Now, upload the data manually or automatically.
Next, choose the needed labels/sub-labels from the software panel.
After that, select the “MBOX” format from the saving option list.
And then, browse the saving location as per your requirements.
Lastly, hit the “Next” icon to Export MBOX file from Thunderbird.

Benefits of Thunderbird to MBOX Converter Solution

The manual technique allows to export MBOX file from Thunderbird folders one by one, but the professional method allows batch convert Thunderbird to MBOX at once.
If your Thunderbird email client got corrupted then the manual technique will not work while the pro method permits to archive emails from corrupt Thunderbird profiles.
The mentioned software is also compatible with Thunderbird SBD, MSF, MOZMSGS, WDSEML, etc. files while this functionality is not available in the manual technique.
The software also allows to backup of Thunderbird exported CSV contacts to vCard and PST (Personal Storage Tables) formats.

Manual vs Professional Method

Both methods have their own significance, and thus, to help you decide which one is more efficient to convert Thunderbird to MBOX files, we prepared this comparison table. Have a quick look at it and get a reliable solution swiftly.

Manual Way	Automated Way
Not a beginner-friendly solution to convert Thunderbird to MBOX.	Interactive, easy-to-use, and tech-friendly software to work with.
Contains multiple steps that make the process hectic and confuse the users.	Has no more than five easy and quick steps to export MBOX files from Thunderbird.
Does not support bulk actions, which limit bulk Thunderbird data owners.	It has no file-size limitations, which means users can save thousands of Thunderbird file in MBOX format.
No guarantee of Thunderbird data originality.	Ensure that every attribute is intact even after the conversion.
It demands the assistance of a third-party plugin and an email client to convert Thunderbird to MBOX file format.	A standalone Thunderbird to MBOX converter that does not need the support of an email client, application, or any other plugin.

FAQs

1. In Thunderbird, what is an MBOX file?
Ans. Email messages and attachments can be stored in Thunderbird mailbox files or MBOX files. It is Thunderbird’s default format for storing email data.

2. Can I export more than one MBOX file at once?
Ans. Certainly, you are able to export many MBOX files at once. Multiple mailboxes or folders can be selected and exported simultaneously with Thunderbird.

3. Is there any professional tool available for Thunderbird users to export MBOX files?
Ans. Indeed, the finest professional tool has already been discussed in this post. This tool is suitable for use since it has been endorsed by experts in the field.

4. Can MBOX files be exported from Thunderbird to other operating systems?
Ans. Indeed, Thunderbird allows you to export MBOX files for use on a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Generally, the procedure is the same across all platforms.

Ques. How should I proceed if there are any problems with the MBOX export process?
Ans. You can use Thunderbird’s support resources or internet forums to get help if you run into problems when exporting MBOX files. Professional tools could also provide customer help to handle any issues.

5. Can I do Thunderbird export to mbox larger than a certain size?
Ans. The largest MBOX file size that you can export from Thunderbird is not limited. It’s a good idea to divide bigger files into smaller, more manageable portions if necessary, as they may take longer to export and be more difficult to handle.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed both manual and professional approaches to export MBOX file from Thunderbird email clients above. Manual approaches are often free and simple, however, this is not always the case. As is usual with manual approaches, there are some restrictions. Overall, use the automated solution for Thunderbird export to mbox format to get efficient results to fulfill your professional requirements for this drill.