How to Import MBOX to Apple Mail Account – Top Methods

A business employee received an MBOX archive file from his team containing important records related to the project. The employee uses a Mac, and MBOX files are not directly opened in Apple Mail. Therefore, by converting MBOX files to an Apple Mail account, users can easily access and manage emails securely. So, how can an employee import MBOX to Apple Mail account? Well, with various manual approaches and a direct approach using MBOX Converter Tool, one can easily import the MBOX files. Go through the blog and understand how one can make this transfer happen manually.

MBOX is a plain text file format that stores multiple email messages in one single file. It is used by email clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc. Apple Mail is the default email service for macOS that allows users to manage their email messages. An MBOX containing email archives can be imported into Apple Mail for easy access.

Need to Import MBOX to Mac Mail

Converting MBOX to Apple Mail makes it easier to access and consolidate emails in one place. It benefits both individuals and businesses. Here’s why importing MBOX to Apple Mail is beneficial:

• Users switching from another email client, such as Thunderbird, often need to import an MBOX file into Apple Mail. This ensures easy access to old emails.
• Importing MBOX files helps users to merge multiple accounts into one Apple Mail account. This makes email communication easy.
• Apple Mail integrates with the macOS ecosystem, making email communication efficient.
• With Apple Mail, the user can choose from various customization options.
• Transferring MBOX files to Apple Mail can enhance performance and stability.

How to Import MBOX to Apple Mail?

MBOX to Apple Mail conversion can be done in three ways. Two of them require complicated manual technical steps, which can be time-consuming. The most efficient solution, however, is using a specialized tool that prevents errors and ensures speed and precision.

Manually Import MBOX Files into Apple Mail

MBOX files are not opened directly into Apple Mail in a standard format. But the user can import the MBOX files and easily access them in Apple Mail.

Use the following procedure to begin importing your MBOX files:

1. Open the Apple Mail application.
2. Go to File > Import Mailboxes > Files in MBOX format and click on Continue.
3. Browse and select the desired MBOX file. Click Choose to begin the import process. This will import MBOX to Mac Mail.
4. Lastly, click Finish.

Limitation: Apple Mail will not import the damaged or corrupted MBOX files. This process also involves a risk of data loss.

Open MBOX file in Apple Mail Using Thunderbird

In this method, we will use Thunderbird as a free email client to import the MBOX file and save it as EML files. After that, just drag and drop those .eml files into your Apple Mail account folder.

Given below are the steps to follow to begin this conversion:

1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird.
2. Go to Tools > Add-ons > Extensions > Search ImportExportTools NG and install it.
3. Right-click on the folder where you want to import your MBOX file. 
4. Select ImportExportTools NG > Import MBOX file and browse the MBOX file.
5. Select emails that you want to import, right-click on them, > Save as > File > save them as .eml files. 
6. Now, drag and drop these EML files into Apple Mail. 

Limitations: When you import MBOX files to EML, the folder structure will not remain intact. Sometimes, attachments might not get imported correctly.

Directly Import MBOX to Apple Mail Account

An MBOX Converter Tool is an efficient utility that migrates, backup or organizes MBOX files. It allows users to convert MBOX files into multiple file formats and migrate MBOX files to various email clients. The user can process multiple files at once, filter emails by date, and avoid duplicate messages. Not only this, it lets the user preview the MBOX file before converting. All of these features enhance accuracy and efficiency. 

Below is a step-by-step approach to import MBOX to Mac Mail:

1. Download and install the converter tool.
2. Click on Continue and go to Select File(s).
3. Locate and Open your MBOX file.
4. Expand the tree structure, select the MBOX files, and preview them. Click Next.
5. Under Saves/Backup/Migrate As > Email clients > iCloud.
6. Enter the iCloud account login credentials and Sign in.
7. Select the additional features if you need.
8. Choose the destination path to save the resultant file.
9. At last, click on Convert. 

Conclusion

Importing a MBOX file to an Apple Mail account ensures better accessibility, customization, and stability. In this blog, we have talked about why the user might need to import MBOX to Apple Mail and how it can be done. We’ve explained both the direct and the indirect manual method to do this. One can directly import the MBOX files using MBOX Converter for a reliable and error-free solution. It is a perfect choice among businesses and experts. Though the manual methods are possible, they have certain limitations and are prone to errors. Decide and choose the right method according to your needs.

Related Post: Import MBOX to Zimbra Mail.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q- Can Apple Mail open MBOX files directly?

Ans- Yes, you can open an MBOX file in Apple Mail. But, you first need to import it, and then it will open up in its standard format. Open Apple Mail > File > Import Mailboxes. Select Files in MBOX format > Continue > Select .mbox file > Choose.

Q- How do I transfer MBOX files from Thunderbird to Apple Mail?

Ans- Follow these steps to transfer MBOX files from Thunderbird to Apple Mail:

1. Locate and copy the MBOX file in Thunderbird
2. Import your MBOX file into Apple Mail