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Import PST to Mac Outlook New & Legacy with All Items: 3 Ways

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You can directly import PST to Mac Outlook Legacy version using File >> Import >> PST option. But in New Outlook there is no such dedicated option to import PST. You can still access the PST file in Outlook New either by switching to Outlook legacy (if available with your Outlook Mac version) & then uploading to an IMAP or Exchange account or directly uploading using a tool and then accessing the same account in Outlook Mac New. Here we have given official steps to open PST on Mac Outlook including 2 workaround methods.

Sometimes users switch from Windows computers to Mac computers due to personal and business requirements. They want to continue using Microsoft Outlook after switching from Windows to MacBook or iMac devices. Thereafter, the process to import Windows PST to Mac Outlook becomes unavoidable because they don’t want to lose their crucial old emails stored in Windows Outlook. Users may also have existing PST files containing years of emails and other mailbox data that they need to access in the Mac Outlook application after switching devices.

How to Export PST File from Windows Outlook?

  1. Open MS Outlook and choose File option.
  2. Then, select Open & Export and choose Import/Export.
    Import Export
  3. Choose Export to a file and click Next.
    Export to a file
  4. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and press Next.
    Outlook data file pst
  5. After that, choose required Outlook folders and Next.
    Select folders
  6. Browse destination path to store exported PST.
    Export PST from Outlook
  7. Enable Do not export duplicate items and tap Finish.

Note That: In this way everybody can easily export Outlook folders to desktop in PST format. Now move the exported PST file from your Windows computer to your Mac computer using drive upload, and pen drive. Thereafter follow the upcoming methods to import PST to Outlook for Mac.

Official Native Way to Import PST to Outlook for Mac Legacy 

  1. Open Mac Outlook on your MacBook.
  2. Choose File and select Import option.
    Import
  3. Enable Outlook for Windows archive file (.pst).
    Import PST to Mac Outlook
  4. Click Continue to locate a PST file from computer.
  5. Press Import to start importing PST to Mac Outlook.
  6. See your data has been imported, click Finish.
    Imported

Thereafter, imported PST file items will appear under On My Computer.

Manual Method Limitations

The manual method is suitable to import PST file to Mac Outlook one by one. Also, you can follow the above instructions to move Windows PST to Mac Outlook 2016, 2019, and 2021. However, this is no longer supported in Mac Outlook 2011 versions.

This is a time-consuming task but still, it seems suitable for home users. However, this is not highly recommended for business professionals because they prefer to use batch import functionality.

The New Outlook for macOS does not natively have an option to import PST files. When a PST is opened with Outlook Mac Legacy imported PST – emails, contacts & calendar content appears under “On My Computer”. Outlook New does not create a local profile like Outlook Legacy for Mac but accesses and synchronizes email from connected accounts such as Microsoft 365/Exchange Online, Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo using IMAP. Thus importing PST in Outlook New requires an alternative workaround and additional steps.

How to Import a PST File to New Outlook Mac? 

Microsoft 365 Outlook for Mac enables you to switch back to Outlook Legacy.

Note: You will not find the “Toggle Option” if you Outlook New is associated with one time license Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac as – Outlook Legacy is not supported.

  1. Open your New Outlook for Mac.
  2. Go to Help and choose the “Revert to Legacy Outlook” option.
  3. Import PST in Mac Outlook “On My Computer” folder using File >> Import Option. Disclaimer: Now switching back to the Outlook New will not import PST in Mac Outlook New as they are not moved to any mailbox but stored locally only.
  4. Select the Folder from PST import under “On My Computer”.
  5. Choose “Move” and then “Choose Folder”.
  6. The destination folder you choose should be associated with an Exchange Online account – you also access in Outlook New or an IMAP connect cloud mailbox like – Gmail, Yahoo, IMAP etc.
  7. Now Switch back to the New version on Mac – “Legacy Outlook” – Turn Off the toggle.

Additional Way to Import PST to Mac Outlook

GWMMO is for a Windows based Google Workspace. It is not a direct method to import PST in Outlook for Mac. It lets you migrate PST data into a Google Workspace account that can be further accessed by the Outlook.

This is a lengthy process to import Windows Outlook PST file to Mac Outlook. It involves 2 stages first you will need to import Outlook folders to Gmail using the GWMMO Tool, then configure the same Gmail account with Mac Outlook.

Additional method requires technical knowledge so non-technical users may face problems while importing PST files in Mac Outlook. Also, it requires Gmail as a mediator to perform this task. It is not recommended for every user.

  1. Download, install, and open GWMMO Tool.
  2. After that, sign in to your Gmail account.
    Login to Gmail
  3. Select the From PST File(s) option and click Next.
    From PST file
  4. Check the required items to import and tap Migrate.
    Select required items to import
  5. PST to Gmail migration process is beginning.
    Process running
  6. See Migration completed successfully, click OK.
    Migration completed
  7. Login to your Gmail account and see imported PST.
    Login to Gmail
  8. Start Mac Outlook and select Preferences.
  9. Choose Accounts and click the Plus icon to add a new account.
  10. Add your Gmail address and press Continue.
  11. Type the password for adding an account and complete instructions.
  12. Last, see Gmail data with imported PST in Mac Outlook.

This is a tried and tested technique to add multiple PST files to Mac Outlook at once.

Pro Way to Import PST File to Mac Outlook

PST File Converter is a perfect and direct solution to import PST to Mac Outlook. This software has a separate option to import PST to IMAP Server so you can use the IMAP credentials of your email account configured in your Mac Outlook. Hence, use this utility to add PST files to Mac Outlook-configured email account.

The tool is available with a free trial version which allows you to move 25 emails from each PST folder to Mac Outlook directly. This software asks only IMAP credentials of your email account that you have configured in your Mac Outlook.

How to Import PST File to Mac Outlook?

  1. Start suggested software and add PST files to software.
    Add PST files
  2. Select required PST folders from GUI and click Next.
    Select required folders
  3. Choose IMAP from saving options as shown in the figure.
    Choose IMAP
  4. Type IMAP credentials of email account configured in Mac Outlook.
    Credentials
  5. Click Convert to add PST to Mac Outlook directly.
    Import PST to Outlook for Mac

After receiving the completion message, click OK and run your Mac Outlook to see the imported PST file.

Why Use Software Over Manual Approaches?

  • The tool assists you to batch import PST to Mac Outlook 2011, 2016, 2019, 2021, and new Outlook by accessing via IMAP.
  • The professional tool supports both UNICODE & ANSI PST import to Outlook for Mac.
  • This software also permits converting PST to OLM format, a native file extension for Mac Outlook.
  • Easy to use software that asks only account credentials of your email account configured in Mac Outlook.
  • The tool provides various filtration options to move selective data from PST to Outlook for Mac clients.
  • Recovery Mode feature is helpful if your PST file is damaged or inaccessible, it repairs the PST to further help import into Outlook for Mac.

FAQs: Open PST on Mac Outlook 

Q1: Where Do Imported PST Emails Appear in Outlook for Mac?

  • Outlook Legacy for Mac: Under the “On My Computer” folder.
  • Outlook New for Mac: Under the mailbox you select as the destination.

Q2: Can I access PST emails, contacts, and calendar in New Outlook for Mac?

Yes even with the New Outlook you can access all PST data but with the manual method However, with the manual method, it is preferable to use an Exchange Online account as an intermediary for clear data mapping.

Q3: Can I import a damaged or inaccessible PST file into Outlook for Mac?

Yes, but damaged PST cannot be directly imported into Outlook for Mac you are required to use BitRecover profession solution.

Conclusion

Above we have explained the 3 best ways to import PST to Mac Outlook using manual, additional, and professional methods. All techniques work successfully so you can opt for any according to your need and choice. We have discussed complete details with proper details using real-time screenshots. Hence, all home and business users can perform these steps to move PST to Outlook for Mac.

About the Author

Rollins Duke

Rollins Duke

Technical Content Writer at BitRecover · 2130 articles

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