How to Import MBOX File to Outlook? 2 Quick Solutions

Outlook can’t open MBOX directly, because it stores mail in its own PST format. To import MBOX file to Outlook, you can either move the email through Mozilla Thunderbird, which is free but takes several steps, or you can import MBOX file to Outlook compatible format and import it in one go. This guide covers both methods for Outlook 365 ,2024, 2021, 2019, 2016, and earlier versions, so you can choose between the solutions that fit best for your requirements.

Why Need to Import MBOX to Outlook? Common Reasons Explained

MBOX is a simple, open format that many email clients use to store messages, whereas Outlook relies on PST files to organise mail, calendars, and contacts. Because the two formats don’t work together, MBOX data has to be converted or moved before Outlook can read it. Here are some common reasons why users may need to import MBOX file to Outlook.

• Switching to Outlook from Another Email Client: Users moving from Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or Eudora to Outlook, often because of a new job or a company-wide shift to Microsoft 365, need their old MBOX mail in the new client.
• Gmail Takeout Backups: Google Takeout exports Gmail data in MBOX format. Importing it into Outlook lets users read, search, and manage those old emails in one place.
• Mac to Windows Migration: Apple Mail exports mailboxes as MBOX files, so Mac users moving to a Windows PC with Outlook have to bring their mail across.
• Accessing Archived or Backup Emails: Many users keep MBOX backups for records, legal compliance purposes. Importing them into Outlook means they can open these emails without keeping the original email client installed.
• Recovering Data from an Old System: When a computer crashes or is retired, the only surviving copy of the mail is often an MBOX file. Importing it into Outlook restores that data.

Now, after discussing all the common reasons, let’s move to the solutions.

How to Import MBOX File to Outlook? 2 Best Methods

Here, we have reached the section where 2 best methods will be provided in a detailed way to import MBOX into Outlook application. The suitable method may vary depending on the size of the MBOX file, the number of emails, and the user’s technical expertise. Whether you need to move a few emails or a complete mailbox, each approach offers a different way to get the job done. Below are the 2 best methods:

• Use a Free Email Client to import MBOX in Outlook
• Try Expert-Recommended Way to Import MBOX to Outlook Format

Both of these solutions are feasible. It depends on your requirements. As for how to implement these techniques, find them below.

Workaround 1: How to Import MBOX into Outlook for Free?

This method uses a free email client to act as an intermediary between MBOX and Outlook. The concept behind this is that this free email client supports MBOX format. Thus, we use this support to transfer MBOX data between this application and Microsoft Outlook.

This free method involves 3 steps to import MBOX file to Outlook:

1. Configure account in the free email client,
2. Import MBOX file in the free email client,
3. Move data to the configured account,
4. Configure the same account in Microsoft Outlook,
5. Done! MBOX file is now in Outlook.

So, let’s get started:

Step 1 – Configure Account in the Free Email Client

The free email client we will be using is Mozilla Thunderbird. The following steps to import MBOX into Outlook through Thunderbird are as follows :

1. Create a new Gmail account. Then, go to its Settings, then Forwarding and POP/IMAP, then Enable IMAP, then save the changes.
2. Download, install and run this email client on your system.
3. Then, enter your name and Gmail address, then click on Continue.
4. After this, sign in with Google when asked (Thunderbird supports Google sign-in), or use the app password if prompted for a password.
5. Choose the IMAP option and click on Done.

This will configure the account in Thunderbird.

Step 2 – Import MBOX File in the Free Email Client

This is the second step when using the free method to import MBOX file to Outlook. Here, we will import the MBOX file in the free email client.

1. You will see a Local Folders mailbox below the configured account in Thunderbird’s left panel.
2. Right-click on this Local Folders mailbox and click the Properties.
3. Copy the location given in the Local directory.
4. Open this copied location on your computer system.
5. Now, copy your MBOX file(s) to this location on your system.
6. Restart the Thunderbird application.

Your MBOX file(s) will appear under the Local Folders mailbox.

Pro Tip: If you have multiple MBOX files, the Import/ExportTools NG add-on for Thunderbird can import them in bulk and keep folder names.

Step 3 – Move Data to the Configured Account

This is the third step when you need to import MBOX file to Outlook. Here, you will move data to the configured account.

1. In the free email client, open the imported MBOX mailbox.
2. Select all the emails you want to move to Outlook.
3. Right-click on one of the selected emails, then choose the Copy to option, then click on your email account and tap on the Inbox folder.
4. Now, you can create multiple folders in Inbox and copy different MBOX data in different folders.

Now, all your MBOX data is copied to the configured account.

Step 4 – Configure the Same Account in Microsoft Outlook

This is the fourth step in the guide to import MBOX in Outlook. Here, we will configure the same account in Microsoft Outlook.

1. Open the Microsoft Outlook application.
2. Then, click on the File tab.
3. Next, click on the Add Account option.
4. Now, enter Email address and click on the Connect button.
5. After that, sign in with Google (use the app password if Outlook asks for a password) and click on the Done option.

This will configure the account in Outlook. You now have access to the MBOX data in Outlook.

Also note: Microsoft 365, Outlook 2024, Outlook 2021, and Outlook 2019 all follow these steps. If you use the new Outlook for Windows, then add the account under Settings > Accounts option instead.

Step 5 – Done! MBOX File is now in Outlook

Until now, we copied the MBOX data to a newly configured account, then access the copied data in MS Outlook. So, in a way, we are successful in importing MBOX file to Outlook. You can move the MBOX emails to another account or folder in Outlook. You can even import it in PST format if that is your requirement.

Step 1 – Working Guide to of the Expert-Suggested Tool

1. Run the MBOX Converter on your system. then, click on the Add Files button.
2. Then, select MBOX Files and click on the Next button.
3. After that to import MBOX file to Outlook, browse the MBOX file that you want to import into Outlook. Click on the Process button.
4. The software will preview all your MBOX data. To proceed, click on the Export button on top.
5. After that, select PST format from the list of export options to import MBOX file to Outlook.
6. After that, click on the Advanced Settings option to apply filters.
7. Next, set the Destination location by clicking on the Browse buttonwhere you want to save the PST file.
8. At last, click the Export button to start importing MBOX file to Outlook format.

In the end, you will get a Unicode file having .pst extension. This file contains all your MBOX data. Simply import it in Outlook to move your data in it.

Step 2 – Import this File into Microsoft Outlook

Once you have the PST file, do the following:

1. At first, run the Microsoft Outlook application on your device.
2. Then, click on the File menu button.
3. Next, click on Open & Export and then select Import/Export.
4. After that, click on the Import from another program or file. Hit Next.
5. From there, select Outlook data file (.pst). Hit on the Next button.
6. Then, click Browse, select the PST file. Hit Next.
7. At last, click on the Finish.

Conclusion

Importing MBOX file to Outlook can be very easy. It depends on your choice i.e., which method are you using to achieve this. If you use the free method, it will be a little time-consuming, and you must have some technical skills to achieve this. But, with MBOX to Outlook converter, you can skip the difficulty and easily import MBOX file to Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007 & 2003 by importing it into an Outlook-supported format.