How to Import MBOX Files to Thunderbird? Complete Solution

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: October 12th, 2023 • 5 Min Read

Do you have MBOX files and intend to import MBOX file to Thunderbird email client? No need to hassle anymore. Here we will explain both manual and professional solutions to open MBOX files into Thunderbird application.

Mozilla Thunderbird is a freeware email client application presently popular among people due to its upgrading features and simple interface.

Different email applications like Apple Mail, Eudora, Entourage, Opera Mail, and Google Takeout support MBOX format.

Instant Solution to Import MBOX file
1. Install & Run Bitrecover Software.
2. Add MBOX files to the software interface.
3. Check required MBOX files and press Next.
4. Automatically chooses default destination path.
5. Tap on the Next button to start importing.

Download for Windows

What Logics Are Possible to Import MBOX Files to Thunderbird?

As such the reasons could vary, why the users want to open MBOX in Thunderbird. But the primary reason is to open the MBOX data file without its native email client.

If you are willing to open MBOX data without its parent email application, then you need an MBOX-compatible email client. Since Thunderbird runs on both Windows and Mac, many of you choose Thunderbird for opening MBOX files.

How to Open MBOX File in Thunderbird?

Now, coming to the solution to import MBOX files to Thunderbird, there are two different approaches to achieve this file migration:

  • Using ImportExport Tools – Free Add-ons
  • Using Automated Approach – Recommended Software

Import MBOX File to Thunderbird using ImportExportTools Add-ons

  • First of all, install ImportExportTools add-ons on your Thunderbird.
  • Restart Mozilla Thunderbird and go to Menu bar << Tools option.

Thunderbird add-ons

  • Scroll down this option and select the ImportExportTools option.
  • Thereafter, choose the Import MBOX file option to continue.

Import MBOX file

  • Now select the MBOX file from your PC and complete the process.

load-mbox-files

  • Restart Thunderbird for previewing the imported mailbox file.

Constraints of this Manual Process 

While you try to import MBOX files to Thunderbird Windows with this manual technique, you may suffer from the following issues:

  • May get some missing email attachments of MBOX files.
  • Get broken inline images present in MBOX data.
  • You can get misplaced MBOX mailboxes.
  • Erroneous header information.

Related blog post: How to Import EML to Thunderbird

Import MBOX to Mozilla Thunderbird using Automated Software

To escape the shortcomings of the above manual process, use Thunderbird Import Wizard.

With the help of this software, you can open MBOX file in Thunderbird. All you need to do is Download and Install the utility on the computer.

Download for Windows

  1. Firstly, launch the recommended software and choose one option from Select Files or Select Folders for uploading .mbox files.

    software to import MBOX to Thunderbird

  2. You can preview all selected files in the software window, choose required files, and press the Next button.

    choose required files and hit next

  3. Thereafter, the tool will automatically choose the default destination path of the Thunderbird profile.

    choose default destination path

  4. After that, tap on the Next button to start importing .mbox files into Thunderbird profile.

    start importing mbox to Thunderbird profile

  5. Finally, after completing the task, run your Thunderbird for previewing the imported emails.

    preview after completion of the task

Top Benefits of Using this Software

Although there any many advantages of this application, here we are discussing the top 3 features:

  • Compatible with MBOX files of many email clients: The MBOX files are created by several email applications. In order to import MBOX files to Thunderbird, you can choose the files for many email applications. It supports importing Apple MBOX to Thunderbird, Gmail MBOX to Thunderbird, Eudora to Thunderbird, Entourage, Opera Mail, Alpine, Spicebird, Claws Mail, SeaMonkey, Netscape, Mail Copa, Evolution, Postbox, Earthlink, Pocomail, Google Takeout, Mulberry, KMail, Turnpike.
  • Windows OS-compatible: This software can be launched on all 32-bit and 64-bit Windows OS. Hence, you can run the tool on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, etc.
  • Open File in Bulk: The software is skilled enough to import MBOX to Mozilla Thunderbird in bulk together with attachments. Also, not only the current MBOX emails, but the users can also import old emails to Thunderbird without any hitches. You can import .mbox data into the software panel with the dual options:

(i) Select files: Using this option, the tool makes a separate personal storage file for each MBOX file.

(ii) Select folder: With the folder mode option, one can import multiple MBOX files into a single file.

Through this software, you can indeed import MBOX file into Thunderbird. However, we also like to propose an alternative comprehensive solution- MBOX Converter Software. This allows you to convert MBOX files to 30+ emails and document formats.

Open MBOX with Thunderbird- Frequently Asked Queries

  • How to import messages into Thunderbird?

    To import messages into Thunderbird just right-click on the inbox of local folders>> go to ImportExportTools NG>> import messages>> select the .eml, .emlx messages you want to import>> Lastly, click on open to complete the process of importing. 

  • Can I import MBOX to Thunderbird without installing the MBOX supportable email client?

    Yes, you can open MBOX emails to Thunderbird without any external installation.

  • Does the software allow bulk add MBOX files to Thunderbird at once?

    Yes, in the preview panel of the software, you can choose some selective MBOX email files or folders for conversion.

Bringing All Together

Finally, the above blog describes a proper solution to import MBOX in Thunderbird. Hence, if you are willing to perform a bulk open MBOX file in Mozilla Thunderbird. Then, the above automated solution is best for you!

It provides 100% precise results and enables you to open MBOX file with Thunderbird without losing a single bit of information. For more doubts, feel free to get in touch with our technical support team.