How to Import MBOX to Gmail Account? Learn Top 4 Methods

Mark Regan
Published: October 18th, 2024 • 10 Min Read

Are you finding a way to import MBOX to Gmail account? It can be a bit tricky, but now you’re in the right place. Managing and organizing your email data is important in today’s digital world and Gmail is a great choice for that. However, Gmail does not support MBOX files directly. So, in this article, we will explore the best and top-rated methods to open MBOX file in Gmail with all email items and components.

Gmail does not provide any straightforward method to import MBOX into Gmail. Users can use TB, Apple Mail, or Gmail Import Option using an IMAP-supported email client as an intermediary. However, manual techniques have some limitations. So, it is suggested to opt for an expert-recommended approach in place of the manual one.

Why Import MBOX to Gmail?

MBOX is a popular file format used for storing email messages in a single file. It is widely supported by various email platforms due to its simplicity. Moreover, this file format stores attachments within email messages in encoded form rather than stored separately. Now let’s continue our discussion to uncover the common reasons to open MBOX in Gmail account.

Centralized Email Management in One Account: Users who operate various email clients and accounts have MBOX files generated from various sources. To consolidate all of the data of these MBOX files users are often required to import MBOX files into Gmail.
Better Accessibility from Anywhere: Gmail is a cloud-based application that can be accessible from anywhere using an internet connection. Whereas emails stuck in an MBOX file, or a desktop-based email client are accessible only from that particular device. So, users can choose their MBOX import to Gmail option to get rid of such problems.
Switching Email Clients: In an era of cloud computing, it seems that users are switching from their traditional desktop-based email clients to cloud-based email platforms. Since Gmail is the most prominent and widely acceptable platform. Users are often required to know how to import MBOX to Gmail.

How to Open MBOX File in Gmail? 4 Best Methods

Users can choose the manual method according to their needs and operating system compatibility. Such as Mac OS users can use the Apple Mail method who do not want to install any software. Secondly, users can opt for the TB account configuration techniques using IMAP. Lastly, users who are not required to use the IMAP setting can use Google Gmail’s inbuilt Import Option for securely importing MBOX to Gmail.

Method 1. Import MBOX File to Gmail Using Thunderbird

As we all know, MBOX is the native format of Thunderbird email client, using which you can easily transfer MBOX data to Gmail account. However, it may consume some time as it requires two separate steps but still you can give it a try:

Step 1: Add your Gmail Account to Thunderbird Using IMAP Settings

At the start, open the email client on your desktop.
After that, click on the Tools option from the ribbon & select Account Settings.
Then, go to the Account Actions options and select Add Mail Account.
Now, enter the Gmail account credentials and click on the Continue button to import MBOX to Gmail.
Thereafter, enable the IMAP settings for your added Gmail account & tap Done.
Finally, review the entered details and click on the Finish.

Step 2: Install ImportExportTools NG Addons & Import MBOX File

First, select Tools > Addons and Themes option in your desktop client.
Now, search for ImportExportTools NG and click on Add to Thunderbird.
Then, right-click on the Local folder option and select ImportExportTools NG.
After that, choose Import MBOX Files> Individual MBOX Files to import MBOX files to Gmail account.
Select the MBOX file need to Import from your PC & click on the Open.
Drag & drop the added MBOX from the local folder to the configured Gmail account.
Finally, the process of importing MBOX to Gmail is completed. Login to your Gmail account to see the imported MBOX file.

Method 2. Upload MBOX to Gmail Using Apple Mail

MBOX files are supported by various email clients and Apple Mail is one of them. Follow the steps mentioned below to know how to import MBOX to Gmail:

Phase 1: Add Gmail Account to Apple Mail with IMAP settings.

At the start, run the Apple Mail email client on your MAC machine.
After that, go to the Mail option from the ribbon and select Add Account.
Now, choose a mail account provider as Google and hit the Continue.
Then, enter the Google Gmail account details and tap on the Sign in.
Thereafter, enter the IMAP settings of Gmail and click on the Sign in.
Finally, select the apps you want to use with this account and click Done.

Phase 2: Import MBOX to Gmail Account via Apple Mail

First, go to the File option from the ribbon and click on the Import Mailboxes.
Then, select Import data from the option as File in MBOX format & hit continue.
After that, select the MBOX file you need to import and click on the Choose.
Now, drag and drop the imported MBOX to the configured Gmail account.
Finally, log in to your Gmail account to view the Imported MBOX file in your Gmail account.

Method 3. Import MBOX to Gmail Account Using Import Mail Option

This Import Mail option technique to open MBOX file in Gmail is recommended for users who have successfully imported their MBOX file in Thunderbird. However, they are not required to configure their Gmail account with IMAP settings. Now let’s discover the working steps of this approach with structured screenshots.

Steps to Open MBOX File into Gmail with Import Mail Option:

Initially, login to your Gmail account in which you need to open the MBOX file.
After that, search for the gear icon and click on the See all setting.
Now, go to the Account and Import tab and select the Import mail and contacts.
After that, enter the email ID of your TB profile and hit the continue.
Thereafter, edit the port number to 995 and click on the continue.
Now, enable the Import options given in the list and click on the Start Import.
Finally, click on the OK button and wait for the importing MBOX to Gmail process to complete.

Drawbacks of Using the Manual Approaches:

Opening MBOX file in Gmail using TB will import only a single MBOX file at once. So, this technique is very time-consuming and not recommended for enterprise users.
Choosing the Import Mail Option approach to import MBOX to Gmail is also very time-consuming and may take up to two days. Moreover, this method also requires technical knowledge which may not be suitable for non-technical users.
Manual techniques to upload MBOX to Gmail do not provide any guarantee to maintain structure and metadata intact after successfully importing MBOX to Gmail.
Using a DIY approach to open large MBOX files in a Gmail account may lead to the corruption of MBOX. Moreover, it may result in crucial data loss.

Method 4. Import MBOX Files to Gmail Without Thunderbird Using Expert Tool

If you are searching for an automated solution rather than time-consuming manual ways. You can go with the BitRecover all-in-one MBOX converter. This expert-suggested solution is not limited to open MBOX file in Gmail. This utility can import MBOX files in 30+ email platforms and file formats. Now, we will uncover the working steps of this utility using the attached screenshots and well-explained working steps.

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How to Open Multiple MBOX Files in Gmail with Automated Tool?

At the start, install and run the suggested utility on your local desktop.
Next, import MBOX to the tool console using the “Select Files” or “Select Folder” option.
After that, choose the “Saving Option” as “Gmail” from the drop-down menu to import MBOX to Gmail.
Then, enter the Gmail Email & enable the “Using Google oAuth Authentication” option.
Finally, enter the password & click on the Continue button in the popup to start the process to upload MBOX file to Gmail.

Note: – The eye-catching functionality of this expert-recommended MBOX to Gmail importer is that it works on the latest oAuth Authentication mechanism. Users can fluidly use this functionality to fasten their MBOX importing process.

Outstanding Benefits of Using MBOX to Gmail Converter

This advanced utility offers 30+ email platforms and file extension-saving options to import MBOX to Gmail.
One of the eminent functionalities of this MBOX to Gmail importer expert utility is that it provides a separate panel to selectively import MBOX files.
The advanced feature of this expert tool is that it comes with advanced filter options based on Date range, Subject, From, and To, etc.
Lastly, as this MBOX to Gmail importer is a desktop-based utility it never stores any user data to its server. Making it to be the best choice for users in terms of data security.

Which is the Better Approach? Manual or Automatic

Aspects	DIY Techniques	Automated Approach
Ease of Use	The manual approach to importing MBOX to Gmail is full of various lengthy and repetitive steps.	Simple straightforward steps with simple self-explanatory UI/UX.
Time Consumption	Very-time consuming	Fast and Reliable Method
Batch Processing	Not-Supported	Supported
Support	Limited to forums and comminates.	24*7 live support is available
File Size Limitations	Large-size MBOX files may get corrupted during the import process.	No file size limitations. Tried and tested to handle large MBOX files.
Technical Knowledge	Required	Not-Required

To Wrap Up

In conclusion for the above digital column for the topic “how to import MBOX to Gmail account”. We have discussed the best 4 approaches. Initially, we learned about the MBOX file format along with the reasons to open MBOX file in Gmail. Thereafter, we have discussed the automated approach along with its working guide. Secondly, we have seen the DIY techniques using TB, Apple Mail, and Gmail Import Option to import MBOX file in Gmail along their working steps. Moreover, we have discovered the limitations of manual methods. Finally, we have seen the comparison of manual and automated approaches for better understanding.

Import MBOX to Gmail – FAQs

Q1: Can you import MBOX files into Gmail directly?

No, Gmail import MBOX does not support directly. However, you can go with above mentioned manual techniques to do so. Moreover, you can use the MBOX to Gmail Importer expert utility to automate the process of importing MBOX to Gmail.

Q2: How do I Import MBOX to Gmail on a Mac Machine?

You go with the expert-recommended automated approach to open MBOX file in Gmail. Alternatively, you can choose the Manual approach using the inbuilt Apple Mail approach.

Q3: Is the MBOX to Gmail Importer expert utility compatible with Windows & Mac machines?

Absolutely yes, this is a multifunctional MBOX to Gmail converter that is compatible with all versions of Mac and Windows OS.