How to Import Google Takeout to Thunderbird Email Application?

Rollins Duke
Published: May 15th, 2026 • 7 Min Read

Summary: You can bulk import Google Takeout to Thunderbird local folder for access using the ImportExport NG add-on or using the BitRecover Google Takeout to Thunderbird converter for preserved attachments & folder hierarchy in a secure offline way. Here are the step-by-step instructions you can follow to do so.

Google Takeout is a service provided by Google. Hence, users can easily download the Google data in a local storage location. Google Takeout provides an easy process to download users’ personal data from multiple apps such as Mailbox, Android Play, Bookmarks, Contacts, Calendars, Chrome Data, Drive Data, etc.

Mozilla Thunderbird is an open-source email client application. Thunderbird gives users full control and ownership over email. It has many different features as well like Message Management, Junk filtering, Extensions, themes, etc.

Why do Users Need to Import Google Takeout into Thunderbird?

Although Google Takeout is the official & secure way to back up Gmail emails, there are many reasons why a user may need to import Google Takeout files in the Thunderbird application.

The user is trying to import Google Takeout into a new email account via Thunderbird.
Open & read Google Takeout emails as they are illegible when opened directly.
To offline access Gmail emails in Thunderbird with search and filter options.

Note: In order to manually move Google Takeout MBOX to Thunderbird, you do need to configure an arbitrary email account (at least one). You can remove this account after you have successfully transferred Google Takeout data to Thunderbird.

Disclaimer: Before you start importing Google Takeout to Thunderbird. Make sure you unzip the Google Takeout file.

Now, let’s see the complete, hassle-free process for importing Google Takeout into Thunderbird.

How to Use the Google Takeout Service?

This Email Takeout service allows users to download all Google mailbox data in zip format. Users can easily extract this file to get Google Takeout MBOX viewer File.

Follow the given steps to complete this procedure:

Firstly, go to the official page of Google Takeout.
Then, login to your Gmail account.
Click on Download your data and Deselect All. Only choose the Mails and hit on the Next button.
From the delivery method option, choose the “Send download link via email”.
Choose .zip option and pick archive size as per your need. Now, hit on the Create Archive button.
The Google Takeout archive process starts. It will take time according to the amount of data.
Once the entire process finishes, you will get an email for downloading Google emails. Thereafter, extract the file and get data in mailbox (MBOX) format.

You can also watch this live video tutorial and get information about how to download Google Takeout emails into mailbox (MBOX) format.

View Google Takeout Files in Thunderbird Using an Add-On

Although Thunderbird stores emails in MBOX files under its Profile folder, it does not offer an in-built option to import Google Takeout data. Thus, the user needs to additionally install the free ImportExport NG add-on. After you have installed Thunderbird and set up an account, follow the steps given below:

Click on the hamburger menu icon (three lines) in the top right corner.
Go to Add-Ons & Themes.
Search for “ImportExport NG” in the “Find More Add-ons” search bar.
Click on the Add to Thunderbird button and confirm adding the extension.

Note: You may need to restart Thunderbird if the add-on does not display.
Go to the local folder & right-click.
Select the ImportExport NG Tools >> Import MBOX Files >> Import individual MBOX File.
Select the file from your computer.
Click on the Open button.

Note: Google Takeout files are primarily MBOX files, Gmail labels, and Gmail-specific headers.

Limitations of Free Way to Upload Google Takeout to Thunderbird

Using the ImportExport NG tool is a suitable free way for limited Google Takeout to Thunderbird imports. However is not a universal solution due to certain drawbacks:

Your Gmail label structure will not be retained.
Restricted to max 4GB of Google Takeout imports in Thunderbird.
Shows inconsistencies with attachment, formatting & metadata.
Can be extremely slow and time taking with bulk data.

How to Import Google Takeout to Thunderbird?

This process can be done by using an automated solution. Google Takeout Converter is the best-suited application for users to accomplish this task. This tool is provide you with multiple file naming options. On the other hand, it preserves mailbox attachments and items during the conversion process. It maintains the folder structure and attachments even after the completion of the process. Users can also migrate selective Google Takeout folders of their choice.

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Steps to Open Google Takeout Files in Thunderbird Using Tool

Start Google Takeout to Thunderbird Import Tool and choose one option from Select Files or Select Folders for inserting Takeout exported mailbox files in the software interface.
Select Google Takeout mailbox files from the software interface and click on the Next button.
Thereafter, choose Thunderbird from the available saving options as you can see in the respective screenshot.
The tool will automatically choose the default destination path to import mailboxes into Thunderbird local folders.
After that, press the Convert button for importing Google Takeout to Mozilla Thunderbird.
Now you can see the message of completion as the task has been completed successfully.
Lastly, run Mozilla Thunderbird email client and preview imported mailboxes under Local Folders.

Advantages of Pro Tool to Import Google Takeout to Thunderbird

Bulk import multiple Google Takeout files into Thunderbird using the Select Folder option.
No restriction on the Google Takeout file size can easily support Google Takeout files in hundreds of GB.
This application keeps all email properties, including attachments, email addresses, subjects, etc., after completion of the process.
This utility always maintains the original email folder hierarchy structure data.
It is a secure, 100% offline & effortless solution with Free Lifetime Update functionality.
Filter option to selectively upload Google Takeout files in Thunderbird – based on date, sender & receiver address & subject title.

FAQs: Import Google Takeout into Thunderbird

Q1: Can I add Google Takeout files with 20,000 emails into Thunderbird?

Yes, however, the manual process may take time and be prone to failure. The best way to handle bulk data is BitRecover Google Takeout to Thunderbird Converter.

Q2: I downloaded a .zip file from Google Takeout, but Thunderbird wants an .mbox. What should I do?

The Google Takeout Zip files, when extracted or uncompressed, get directly converted into the required .mbox.

Q3: Why is the imported data in Thunderbird much larger than the Google Takeout Data?

This is due to the unique architecture type of Google Takeout files that store emails under labels, unlike the standard Thunderbird folders.

Concluding Lines

If users try to import Google Takeout to Thunderbird without a proper understanding, they may get stuck in the process. So, in this blog, we discussed the complete process through which users can accomplish the task. By following the above-mentioned steps, users can easily complete the import process. So, it is recommended to use an expert-recommended application for the benefit.

If a user still has some doubts, they can use the free demo version of the application. In which users can migrate 25 emails easily. After having satisfied users can buy the tool as well.