Open PST File On Mac With/Without Outlook – Expert Solutions

Summary: When moving from a Windows PC to a Mac, users often find that their emails stored in a PST file are inaccessible. Now, they look for ways to open PST file on Mac to access their important business emails. In this guide, we’ll explore multiple ways to open PST files with or without using MS Outlook. Moreover, we will also introduce a professional tool, Outlook PST Viewer. It enables users to view PST files on Mac without the need for Outlook. 

Techniques to Open PST File On Mac 

Opening PST files on Mac can be done in several ways. In this guide, we cover both free manual methods and a professional tool that works on macOS. Each method includes easy-to-follow steps so you can get quick results.

Manually Open PST File in Outlook Mac

This method is the direct way to open PST file on Mac in Outlook. It is useful for users who want to migrate their Outlook email data, preserving the folder structure.

Follow the steps below to initiate the process:

1. First, install the latest version of MS Outlook on your system.
2. Then, open it and head to Tools > Import and select Outlook for Windows archive file (.pst) > Continue.
3. After that, browse and select the PST file saved on your Mac system and Open it.
4. The Outlook will import the data, and you will see the data under the On My Computer folder.

Limitations: Importing large PST files (>10GB) might slow down Outlook’s performance. Also, this imported PST data will only be accessed for reading purposes, not for re-sharing.

Open a PST File on Mac With Outlook Manually 

It is a free method that uses Apple Mail. Apple Mail does not natively support the PST files. Hence, through IMAP syncing, we will import the PST file into Apple Mail. To start the process, make sure you have a Gmail account with IMAP enabled in it. 

The following are the steps to open a PST file on a Mac:

Step 1: Import PST File into Outlook for Windows

1. In Outlook, press the File tab and choose Open & Export > Import/Export.
2. Then, select Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst).
3. After that, select the PST file and open it to import it.
4. Again, go to File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings > New.
5. Now, add the IMAP-enabled Gmail account and wait for Outlook to import it.

Step 2: Sync the PST File Data On Mac 

1. In your Mac, open Apple Mail.
2. Next, a prompt asking to add an account will be displayed. 
3. Add the same IMAP-enabled Gmail account to it and select IMAP.
4. Now, wait for some time to allow Apple Mail to sync the data.

Limitations: Large PST files take several hours to sync the PST file data. For this process, you need both Outlook for Windows and Mac. Also, without a stable internet connection, the syncing process will not be completed properly. 

Manually Open PST File Without Outlook on Mac

The method below uses an email client, Mozilla Thunderbird. Thunderbird works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. 

Use the following instructions to begin the process:

1. For Open PST Files Into Thunderbird. First, install and open the Thunderbird application.
2. Then, press Tools > Add-ons and Themes > search and install ImportExportTools NG.
3. Restart Thunderbird.
4. Now, open it and again go to Tools > ImportExportTools NG > Import Outlook PST file.
5. Next, locate and select the desired PST file and choose the Import type.

Limitations: The calendar and contacts data may not get imported correctly in Thunderbird. Moreover, this process does not carry over the complex formatting. 

Expert Solution to Open PST File on Mac Without Outlook

Outlook PST Viewer Tool is the best way to open PST files without Outlook on any operating system. It lets you quickly open and read corrupted or oversized PST files safely, preserving every piece of data. Also, this smart utility supports all PST file formats, ANSI & UNICODE, and provides a detailed preview of your entire mailbox. Additionally, it performs deep scans to recover emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, and journals with their properties intact. 

Steps to open Outlook PST files:

1. Start by downloading and installing the tool on your PC.
2. Now, launch the software and select Single File, Multiple Files, or Folder Mode to add PST files.
3. Then, click Select Files, browse your computer, and choose the desired PST file(s).
4. Once loaded, you can easily preview all mailbox items in a well-organized tree view.
5. After that, choose the desired File Format and apply the additional filters.
6. Finally, specify the destination location and click on Convert to start the process. 

Conclusion 

In this guide, we have explained in detail how to open PST files in Outlook on Mac using different manual methods. Follow the step-by-step methods mentioned above to open PST file on Mac. Additionally, we have shared a professional and secure Outlook PST Viewer for users who do not have Outlook installed on their Mac. Based on your needs, you can choose between the manual approaches or the automated tool to achieve accurate results.

You May Also Read: Import PST to AOL Mail Accounts.

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About The Author

Sachin Prajapati

Sachin Prajapati is an experienced technical content writer with a passion for simplifying complex topics. Specializing in email and cloud migration solutions, he crafts informative and reader-friendly content that empowers users to understand and manage their digital tools more effectively. His insights have been featured on several respected tech platforms, earning the trust of a wide audience.