How to Import MBOX to Outlook? – Get Effective Methods

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: August 21st, 2024 • 10 Min Read

In this article, we will explore how to import MBOX to Outlook easily without facing any trouble. Here we have thoroughly discussed this article and explained step-by-step procedure to let you know how to open MBOX file in Outlook. So if you have MBOX files and you want to access them through your Outlook account for any reason then start reading this article and follow the steps mentioned here.

Some users often need to import MBOX file to Outlook to easily consolidate their email data from different clients into a single, feature-rich platform. The highly advanced features of Outlook allows users to enjoy robust organization tool and enhance producitvity using Microsoft services. MBOX is a popular file format that allows users to store email messages in a single text file. These files are commonly supported by the email clients like Thunderbird and Apple Mail. On the other hand, Outlook is also a popular email client developed by Microsoft that uses PST files to store emails, contacts, and other data.

However, to open MBOX file in Outlook, it is necessary to make this file compatible with Outlook. To simplify this process, we have explained to you multiple methods and all other information to easily import MBOX into Outlook. Keep reading.

Why Import MBOX to Outlook?

  • MBOX email files are available principally in open-source email clients, which are not all that exceptional for proficient email correspondence.
  • People are also asked about the file security issues in the MBOX mailbox, after which they have confronted a great deal of trouble in opening and getting to files.
  • MBOX files are secure, yet at the same time they effectively degenerate, and thus it turns out to be extremely hard to track down an answer for fixing them.
  • If a user does not have MBOX-supported email clients configured in their system, then viewing them in Outlook becomes quite necessary for conversion.
  • After importing MBOX into Outlook, users can get advanced search capabilities that come with the Microsoft Outlook desktop client.
  • MS Outlook provides best-in-class security features with email, contact, calendar, task, notes, and journals hence users prefer to use it.

How to Open MBOX File in Outlook?

Learn how you can easily import MBOX to Outlook in three different ways:

1. Import MBOX into Outlook Using IMAP

Know how to open MBOX file in Outlook using supported email clients through IMAP.

Step 1: Configure Email Account in MBOX Supported Client

  1. Download and install Thunderbird email on your computer.
  2. Configure an email account in Thunderbird using IMAP settings.
  3. After that, install the ImportExportTools NG add-on to continue.
  4. Now manually import MBOX to Thunderbird under Local Folders.
  5. Drag and drop MBOX file from local folders to configured account.
  6. Then, the imported MBOX file will be synchronized with the email server.

Step 2: Configure Same Email Account with MS Outlook

  1. Start the MS Outlook client on your computer.
  2. Go to File >> Add Account and enter your email address.
  3. Then, set up your email account using IMAP settings.
  4. After that, Outlook will start syncing emails from the server.
  5. Now you can access MBOX emails in Outlook client.

Note That: This manual method allows you to import MBOX to Outlook Mac and Windows clients. Hence, this is a highly recommended manual method.

Challenges of Using Manual Method

  • The manual technique requires an MBOX-supported email client like Thunderbird or Apple Mail.
  • To utilize this method, you should have an IMAP-supported web-based email account i.e. Gmail, Outlook.com, etc.
  • Please ensure IMAP settings should be enabled in your IMAP email account while configuring the account.
  • This technique to import MBOX into Outlook requires basic knowledge about email client and IMAP settings, and ImportExport tools.
  • An active internet connection is mandatory for adding an account and synchronization process to avoid interruptions.
  • This is a lengthy and time-consuming method, so this is only recommended for non-business users.

Recommended: Import MBOX to iCloud with Complete Email Items

2. Open MBOX File in Outlook Via EML File

Here is another way to import MBOX to Outlook:

Step 1: Install Thunderbird and Import MBOX

  1. Install and run Thunderbird on your computer.
  2. Then, install ImportExportTools NG Add-On.
  3. Choose Local Folders, right-click, and choose ImportExportTools.
  4. Select the Import MBOX file option and choose MBOX file to import.
  5. After importing you can see the MBOX file under Local Folders.
  6. After that, click the imported MBOX folder and select all emails.
  7. Drag and drop emails in a folder in the EML file extension.

Step 2: Open Exported EML Files with Outlook

  1. Firstly, go to where your EML files are stored.
  2. Then, right-click on the EML file and choose Open with Outlook.
  3. After that, you can open EML file with Outlook.
  4. Choose the Move option from the Outlook ribbon to continue.
  5. Select a specific folder to mode from drop-down.
  6. Start Outlook and see the imported file under the desired folder.

Note That: This alternative technique is only suitable for importing MBOX to Outlook Windows editions.

Flaws in Alternative Methodology

  • You can open only a single email from MBOX to Microsoft Outlook at once.
  • This is a time-consuming task if someone wants to batch open MBOX file in Outlook.
  • Technical knowledge is required about import & export, drag & drop, and move features.
  • Moreover, only Windows Outlook users can perform these steps to import MBOX into Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and all.
  • If you try to drag and drop exported EML in Outlook, then you will receive a warning i.e. This file cannot be previewed because there is no previewer installed for it.

Read Similar: Reliable Ways to Import MBOX to Google Workspace

3. Professional Way to Add MBOX to Outlook Windows & Mac

Here we will show you one of the best and highly recommended BitRecover MBOX Converter Tool. It has an easy-to-use interface for all technical and non-technical users. Also, the tool provides multiple advanced features and capabilities, that allow users to smooth and effortless processes to import MBOX to Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and prior versions.

This utility has separate options to convert MBOX to PST for Windows Outlook and MBOX to OLM for Mac Outlook. So first convert MBOX files to Outlook-supported formats then import them into Outlook accordingly. It’s just a matter of a few clicks and you can easily import bulk MBOX files in Outlook. Download the trial setup of the software to check it now!

How to Open MBOX File in Outlook Windows?

  1. Download and install the software on your Windows machine.
    Start software
  2. Pick either the “Select Folder” or “Select Files” option as per your need.
    Add MBOX files
  3. Choose the required MBOX files/ folders to import MBOX to Outlook.
    Choose required mailboxes
  4. Select “PST” as a saving option and other data filter options.
    Select PST
  5. After that, choose a destination location to save the output.
    Browse destination location
  6. Start the conversion process by hitting on the “Convert” tab.
    Press Convert
  7. After that, Within a few moments, you will get your MBOX files converted.
  8. Now you will get your MBOX files in Outlook data file format at the selected location. Easily import converted files in Outlook. For this, simply launch MS Outlook, go to File, and choose the “Open Outlook Data File” option.
    Import MBOX to Outlook

How to Import MBOX into Outlook Mac?

  1. Download, install, and launch software on your computer.
    Launch software
  2. Add MBOX files in software GUI using dual built-in options.
    Add MBOX files
  3. Select the required mailboxes from the software panel and click Next.
    Select required mailboxes
  4. Choose OLM as a preferred saving option from the list to import MBOX to Outlook.
    Choose OLM
  5. After that, browse a destination path to save the resultant data.
    Choose a destination path
  6. Hit the Convert button to migrate MBOX to Outlook Mac format.
  7. Then, launch Mac Outlook and choose Tools >> Import option.
    Import MBOX into Outlook Mac
  8. Enable “Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm)” and continue.
    Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm)
  9. Laslty, Finish the process of importing MBOX to Outlook Mac.

Why Users Should Choose Professional Tool over Manual Methods?

  • Users can import MBOX to Outlook in bulk. So, if you have several MBOX files, then you will find the automated software extremely useful. This is because conventional converters do not give batch import options.
  • Furthermore, it preserves the folder structure of the MBOX file. Also, the tool keeps intact the email components such as Sender/ Recipient details, subject, images, attachments, hyperlinks, etc.
  • There is complete freedom to save the resultant files at any location on your Windows and Mac machines. Users can browse the desired target file-saving path for user-friendly storage.
  • Moreover, the software is compatible with MBOX files of email applications like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Entourage, Eudora, Google Takeout, Gyazmail, Horde, Mulberry, Postbox, SeaMonkey, Sparrow, Sylpheed, etc.
  • Additionally, There is no need to have a default MBOX-supportable email client or application on your PC to import MBOX into Outlook. This is because the software does not demand any external application installation for the process.
  • Rejoice now Outlook users because the recommended utility has vast compatibility with all MS Outlook versions. The tool allows to import MBOX to Outlook 2021 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, etc.

Regularly Asked User Queries

Q 1: I want to switch from Mac to Windows OS. I have some old archives of Apple Mail MBOX files that I need to import into Outlook 2016 (Windows 10). How to import Mac MBOX file in Outlook 2016?

Yes, it is possible, and you can do it by following above mentioned manual and automated steps.

Q 2: Can I import Gmail MBOX to Outlook?

Yes, the suggested techniques allow to import Gmail MBOX to Outlook for Windows and Mac variants.

Q 3: I have bought a new computer running on the Windows 11 platform. Will this software work to import MBOX to Outlook on Windows 11?

Yes, why not? You can use this application on any Windows and Mac machines including the Windows 11 OS.

Q 5: How can I evaluate the performance of the software before I invest my money in it?

Just take a free trial of the software to test how the features. It permits adding top 25 MBOX emails into Outlook format. Later you can buy the license edition for a full migration.

Time to Wrap Up

If you are facing any problem to import MBOX to Outlook, you can go with the native method and open the file in multiple phases on your own. However, it’s not a productive approach and the technicalities involved pose a full risk of information loss.

So, if your MBOX mailbox data is significant, you should not have any uncertainty and use the BitRecover Software for the best results. This is because it’s a one-stop solution – a tool trusted by innumerable customers worldwide. Also, it is carefully programmed to implement one purpose – to bulk open MBOX file in Outlook in the swiftest way possible, without negotiating the data fidelity.

Similar Article:

  1. How to Import MBOX to Dovecot Open-Source Server?