Import MBOX file into Thunderbird & Access Multiple MBOX Mail Easily

Most of the time, a user is stuck in a position where he is not able to access MBOX files in Thunderbird. These MBOX files are associated with any email client available in the market which is not supported by the application. Therefore, the user wishes to somehow import MBOX file into Thunderbird and gain accessibility. But the question that arises in mind is that it is possible to import MBOX mail to Thunderbird manually. Further in this blog, you will get an answer to this query but first, let’s take a look at the user scenario.

"One of my old client has sent me some MBOX files which are to be utilized to generate a document. I am finding some problems to even open.mbox files in Mozilla Thunderbird, even it has the same file format. These files consist of some confidential information so even I cannot forward it to someone else. Hence, I am in search of a way in which I can convert MBOX to Thunderbird. But I am unable to find an appropriate solution. Can anyone please help me figure out the way how can I import multiple MBOX mail to Thunderbird?"

Expert Advice to Import MBOX Mail to Thunderbird

With the increasing requests for MBOX import to Thunderbird, experts have come to a solution for doing this in a simpler manner. Experts suggested the best way to import MBOX into Mozilla Thunderbird is by using a standalone professional tool. These utilities are specifically developed for performing the MBOX mail to Thunderbird migration. The approach does not compromise with data integrity and import multiple MBOX files simultaneously. Even a novice user can add MBOX file to Thunderbird without any technical support. Moreover, the limitations of the manual solution are also overthrown by this approach.

Manual Approach Import MBOX file into Thunderbird

It is now clear that of if you want to access any MBOX file in respective email clients on your systems, import MBOX to Thunderbird is the only key. And yes, the process can be performed manually with the help of inbuilt tool available in Thunderbird. The user has to make sure that ImportExportTools add-ons are installed in Thunderbird email client. This inbuilt utility is responsible for carrying out the entire MBOX to Thunderbird procedure.

Note: Before initiating the import procedure, it is highly recommended to create a new backup of MBOX files and store it in a safer location. This is done because manual method is prone to data loss and have some limitations. Hence, the backup will be helpful in such situations and can restore files in case of any failure.

Now let’s take a look at the manual method to import MBOX file into Thunderbird.

• 1. Launch and Run Mozilla Thunderbird application.

• 2. Navigate to Tools and click on ImportExportTools option from the mentioned list.

• 3. There, select the Import MBOX file option which further opens a Files MBOX import window.

• 4. From the displayed window, choose Import directly one or more MBOX files option.

• 5. If you are having subdirectory associated with the MBOX files then you can also choose the option of Import one or more MBOX files, including subdirectory and click on OK button.

• 6. Now you have to browse the MBOX files at the location where they are stored on your machine.

• 7. Click on Open Button to import MBOX file into Thunderbird application.

After successfully completing the procedure, a user can now open MBOX mail in Thunderbird without any issue or error. On the other hand, you can also store these migrated MBOX files on any secondary storage device to access them in compatible email client applications. But if you failed in receiving positive results then you might have to go for an alternative method. Also, the manual method does have some limitations which are also discussed.

Major Drawbacks of Manual approach

• 1. ImportExportTools utility fails to transfer emails from multiple profiles.

• 2. Folder hierarchy or the nested structure is not maintained in the imported MBOX files.

• 3. There is a risk of data loss during import MBOX file into Thunderbird procedure, hence data integrity can be compromised.

• 4. The manual method to import MBOX to Thunderbird requires a lot of time and effort from the users.

All the above limitations force a user to look for another more efficient method that will provide them accurate results. Here the use of professional tool comes in picture.

Conclusion

MBOX file format is supported by many different applications but a situation like cannot access MBOX in Thunderbird also arises. The blog has covered the possible solutions to Import MBOX file into Thunderbird by giving you a manual and automated solution. As the manual method have some drawbacks associated with it, experts recommend going with the automated solution. The direct tool used to import MBOX to Thunderbird is discussed in the starting section of the blog.

I am Software Engineer by Profession and Tech Blogger by passion. I love to write about technologies and solve user query on different forums.