How to Export Gmail Emails to MBOX format and Open MBOX files

Export Gmail Emails to MBOX format

Gmail has widely used webmail integrated with Google support & services. Way back in the past many users wanted to take their Gmail data to other desktop mail clients across various platforms so that the customization could be done. And in 2013 Google only allowed users to export Gmail emails and Calendar in the form of a compressed file. Although every email from the Gmail account is available to be downloaded via IMAP and POP which does not require any third party software to export emails from Gmail. With the help of the ‘create achieve’ and ‘download data as MBOX’ facility provided by Google, user can transfer their emails to other email clients very easily. According to this users are allowed to restore email messages from Gmail to Outlook(PST), Thunderbird or Apple Mail(MBOX) email clients.

If you are one of those who require to export emails from Gmail as MBOX files here is how you can open Gmail Emails as an MBOX format.

How to Export Gmail Emails to MBOX Format

Follow the steps  to download the copy of your Gmail email messages in MBOX format:

#1 Step: Sign in to your Google/Gmail Account.

#2 Step: Visit https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout

#2 Step: Select data to include choosing Gmail labels.export Gmail emails

#4 Step: It gives you two options: make the selection as you require.

  • If Select “All Mail“ which include all your emails in the exported MBOX file.
  • If Select options “Include all your Mail“ which will give options to customize the data that you need to export MBOX from Gmail.Choose label

#5 Step: Select “Next“ to proceed.

#6 Step: Select the file type and delivery method and then Create Archive.create Gmail as archive file

#7 Step: The zip file will be sent through your chosen delivery method via email, containing a download link.Export Emails from Gmail as MBOX Files

#7 Step: After the archive is prepared, user can download & export Gmail emails to MBOX format.

How to open MBOX file after the Gmail Export

To import your Gmail items (MBOX file) you need to have additional resources like installation of Thunderbird platform, and an add-on.

Phase I: Download a Thunderbird Extension

  1. Download Thunderbird add-on “Import Export Tools” on your system.
  2. Launch Thunderbird client.
  3. Form the Menu, and click “Add-Ons“.
  4. When Add-ons Manager tab opens, reach the gear icon, and click “Install Add-on From File“
  5. Provide the .xpi file location, follow the download instructions.
  6. Lastly, restart Thunderbird.

Phase II: Import MBOX file emails

  1. Launch Thunderbird application.
  2. From the navigation pane, right click on the “Local Folders“ to import MBOX file to a local folder.
  3. Click on the tools menu, select ImportExportTools, and choose Import MBOX file.
  4. From the drop-down option, select “Import directly one or more MBOX files” >> click ‘OK‘
  5. Browse the folder location, choose the MBOX file that you have labeled. Click ‘Open‘ to proceed.
  6. All emails will now start importing in Thunderbird and you can now open your MBOX emails here.

Final Word

You can also open your emails from MBOX, downloaded from Gmail Account other than emails client that supports .mbox format like Microsoft Outlook. The MBOX file is supported by 20+ email clients which include Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and etc. that can be imported in them easily.

Outlook application is one of the popularly used clients by many users. For this, you need to opt for third-party MBOX file Converter software. What the software does is that it migrates MBOX file into Outlook accessible format that is PST.  However provides you other additional feature like perform the batch conversion, handle corrupted MBOX file. export MBOX email into PST with all attachments, and many other to manage your folder.

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