How to Import MBOX to Gmail Account? Learn Top 4 Methods

Mark Regan
Published: May 16th, 2025 • 11 Min Read

Are you finding a way to import MBOX to Gmail account? It can be a bit tricky, but now you’re in the right place. Managing and organizing your email data is important in today’s digital world, and Gmail is a great choice for that.

However, Gmail does not support MBOX files directly. So, in this article, we will explore the best and top-rated methods to open MBOX file in Gmail with all email items and components.

Gmail does not provide a straightforward method to import MBOX to Gmail account. Users can use Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or the Gmail Import Option, which uses an IMAP-supported email client as an intermediary and supports the MBOX format, to open MBOX file in Gmail manually.

Also, manual techniques have multiple limitations. So, it is suggested to opt for an expert-recommended approach in place of the manual one.

MBOX is a popular file format for storing email messages in a single file. Due to its simplicity, it is widely supported by various email platforms. Moreover, this file format stores attachments within email messages in an encoded form rather than being stored separately.

However, choosing Gmail as your email service is the best way to manage your data. Due to multiple advanced settings and filters, users opt for Gmail over any MBOX file-supported applications. Not only this, but there are other issues as well, which we have explained below:

Why Do Users Need to Upload MBOX File to Gmail?

Let’s start the discussion to uncover the common reasons to open MBOX file in Gmail account.

Centralized Email Management in One Account: Users who operate various email clients and accounts have MBOX files generated from various sources. To consolidate all of the data of these MBOX files users are often required to import MBOX to Gmail.
Better Accessibility from Anywhere: Gmail is a cloud-based application that can be accessible from anywhere using an internet connection. Whereas emails stuck in an MBOX file, or a desktop-based email client, are accessible only from that particular device. So, users can choose their MBOX import to Gmail option to get rid of such problems.
Switching Email Clients: In an era of cloud computing, it seems that users are switching from their traditional desktop-based email clients to cloud-based email platforms. Since Gmail is the most prominent and widely acceptable platform. Users are often required to know how to import MBOX to Gmail.

How to Import MBOX Files into Gmail?

Quick and simple steps to upload MBOX file to Gmail account using an expert tool:

Step 1: Start the given expert tool.

Step 2: Add MBOX files and folders here.

Step 3: Choose the folders to export data.

Step 4: Choose the saving type as “Gmail”.

Step 5: Provide account credentials for Gmail.

Step 6: Apply filters and hit the “Convert” icon.

How to Open MBOX File in Gmail Manually?

MBOX file can be imported using Thunderbird, Apple Mail and Import option in Gmail account. Users can select any manual method according to their needs and requirements like we have use TB for Windows Desktop users which is a free email service for all. Mac users can choose the Apple Mail to import data, and if your MBOX file data is imported into Thunderbird profile, then you can connect it into Gmail through Import option.

#1: Import MBOX File to Gmail Using Thunderbird

As we all know, MBOX is the native format of Thunderbird email client, using which you can easily upload MBOX file to Gmail account. However, it may consume some time as it requires two separate steps, but still, you can give it a try:

Step 1: Add your Gmail Account to Thunderbird Using IMAP Settings

At the start, open the email client on your desktop.
After that, click on the “Tools” option from the ribbon & select “Account Settings”.
Then, go to the “Account Actions” options and select “Add Mail Account”.
Now, enter the Gmail account credentials and click on the “Continue” button to import MBOX to Gmail.
Thereafter, enable the “IMAP Settings” for your added Gmail account & tap “Done”.
Finally, review the entered details and click on “Finish”.

Step 2: Import MBOX Files to Thunderbird using ImportExportTools NG Addons

First, select “Tools” > “Addons and Themes” option in your desktop client.
Now, search for “ImportExportTools NG” and click on “Add to Thunderbird”.
Then, right-click on the Local folder option and select “ImportExportTools NG”.
After that, choose “Import MBOX Files” >> “Individual MBOX Files” to import MBOX files to Gmail account.
Select the MBOX file you need to import from your PC & click on the “Open”.
Drag & drop the added MBOX from the local folder to the configured Gmail account.
Finally, import MBOX to Gmail process is completed. Log in to your Gmail account to see the imported MBOX file.

#2: Upload MBOX File to Gmail Using Apple Mail (Mac OS)

If you have Mac OS and want to perform this process, then you should Apple Mail email client, because it allows you to connect a Gmail account and also supports the MBOX format.

Phase 1: Add Gmail Account to Apple Mail with IMAP settings.

At the start, run the “Apple Mail” email client on your MAC machine.
After that, go to the “Mail” option from the ribbon and select “Add Account”.
Now, choose a mail account provider as Google, and hit the “Continue” button.
Then, enter the Google Gmail account details and tap on the “Sign In”.
Thereafter, enter the “IMAP settings of Gmail” and click on “Sign In”.
Finally, select the apps you want to use with this account and click “Done”.

Phase 2: Import MBOX to Gmail Account via Apple Mail

First, go to the “File” option from the ribbon and click on the “Import Mailboxes”.
Then, select “Import Data From” the option as ‘File in MBOX format” & hit “Continue”.
After that, select the MBOX file you need to import and click on “Choose”.
Now, drag and drop the imported MBOX to the configured Gmail account.
Finally, log in to your Gmail account to view the Imported MBOX file in your Gmail account.

#3: Import MBOX to Gmail Account Using Import Mail Option

If you have imported an MBOX file into your Thunderbird account, then the Import Mail option technique is for you to open MBOX file in Gmail account. However, they are not required to configure their Gmail account with IMAP settings. Now let’s discover the working steps of this approach with structured screenshots.

Initially, login to your Gmail account in which you need to open the MBOX file.
After that, search for the “Gear” icon and click on “See All Settings”.
Now, go to the “Account and Import” tab and select the “Import Mail and Contacts”.
After that, enter the email ID of your TB profile and hit the “Continue” button.
Thereafter, edit the port number to 995 and click on the “Continue”.
Now, enable the “Import” options given in the list and click on the “Start Import”.
Finally, click on the “OK” button and wait for the process to complete to import MBOX to Gmail.

Why are Manual Methods Not the First Choice of Experts?

Thunderbird application installation is required with proper profile configuration.
You can import one MBOX file at a time because bulk processing is not possible with manual methods.
All methods have the risk of losing data and the folder hierarchy during the process.
I will not suggest Import Option in Gmail, because it takes time and energy and also, multiple errors will appear while connecting accounts.
Using a DIY approach to open large MBOX files in a Gmail account may lead to the corruption of the MBOX. Moreover, it may result in crucial data loss.

Then, Which Method is Best to Import MBOX to Gmail Account?

As an expert, I will suggest, if you have limited MBOX files, then you should go for the manual method. And for large MBOX files and professional data, you should go for the BitRecover All-in-One MBOX File Converter.

This expert-suggested solution is not limited to open MBOX file in Gmail. This utility can import MBOX files in 30+ email platforms and file formats. Now, we will uncover the working steps of this utility using the attached screenshots and well-explained working steps.

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Why BitRecover MBOX to Gmail Converter is Better than Other Brands?

This advanced utility offers 30+ email platforms and file extension-saving options to import MBOX to Gmail.
This amazing solution comes with Google OAuth Authentication, which means now there is no need to generate any app password to log into a third-party application securely. And this is a different feature from other brands.
One of the eminent functionalities of this MBOX to Gmail converter expert utility is that it provides a separate panel to upload MBOX file to Gmail selectively.
The advanced feature of this expert tool is that it comes with advanced filter options based on Date range, Subject, From, and To, etc.
Lastly, as this MBOX to Gmail importer is a desktop-based utility, it never stores any user data on its server. Making it the best choice for users in terms of data security.

For better knowledge about the settings and filters, you should go and check out the official page to import MBOX to Gmail account. Let’s move to the working steps:

How to Open Multiple MBOX Files in Gmail without Thunderbird? Automated Tool

At the start, install and run the suggested utility on your local desktop.
Next, import MBOX to the tool console using the “Select Files” or “Select Folder” option.
After that, choose the “Saving Option” as “Gmail” from the drop-down menu to import MBOX to Gmail.
Then, enter the Gmail Email & enable the “Using Google oAuth Authentication” option.
Finally, enter the password & click on the Continue button in the popup to start the process to upload MBOX file to Gmail.

Note: – The eye-catching functionality of this expert-recommended MBOX to Gmail importer is that it works on the latest OAuth authentication mechanism. Users can fluidly use this functionality to speed up their MBOX importing process.

Why Automatic Tool Over Manual Methods?

Aspects	DIY Techniques	Automated Approach
Ease of Use	The manual approach to importing MBOX to Gmail is full of various lengthy and repetitive steps.	Simple, straightforward steps with simple, self-explanatory UI/UX.
Time Consumption	Very-time consuming	Fast and Reliable Method
Batch Processing	Not-Supported	Supported
Support	Limited to forums and comminates.	24*7 live support is available
File Size Limitations	Large-sized MBOX files may get corrupted during the import process.	No file size limitations. Tried and tested to handle large MBOX files.
Technical Knowledge	Required	Not-Required

To Wrap Up

In conclusion, for the above digital column for the topic “how to import MBOX to Gmail account”. We have discussed the best 4 approaches. Initially, we learned about the MBOX file format along with the reasons to open MBOX file in Gmail. Thereafter, we have discussed the automated approach along with its working guide. Secondly, we have seen the DIY techniques using TB, Apple Mail, and Gmail Import Option to import MBOX file in Gmail along with their working steps. Moreover, we have discovered the limitations of manual methods. Finally, we have seen the comparison of manual and automated approaches for better understanding.

Related Queries – FAQ’s

Ques: Can Gmail import an MBOX file?
Ans: No, Gmail can’t import an MBOX file directly. You have to take help from any third-party application which supports both Gmail and MBOX like Thunderbird.
Ques: Is the MBOX to Gmail Importer expert utility compatible with Windows & Mac machines?
Ans: Absolutely yes, this is a multifunctional MBOX to Gmail converter that is compatible with all versions of Mac and Windows OS.
Ques: You are saying that your tool provides 30+ different saving options, but my web-based email service is not listed on your saving option, what should I do?
Ans: In case, your email service is not listed then choose the IMAP option as your saving option and provide the login credentials of your email service.
Ques: I have multiple MBOX data files to upload into Gmail account, but I wants to add selective emails by finding them. So, can I do this or can you add the Search option on your solution?
Ans: To, find specific emails you can use the “Filter Option” settings to search and import only selective emails, however if you want a Search option then contact us through chat support. We will do it on your special request.