How to Convert Outlook PST to MBOX Format? Mac & Windows OS

  

Published By Jamie Kaler 

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On November 15th, 2024

Reading Time 8 Min Read

We’ll walk you through the different approaches to export Outlook mail to MBOX format, ensuring that your emails are safely and efficiently migrated to the desired email client. Whether you’re switching email platforms for personal reasons, business needs, or simply looking for a more compatible format, this export Outlook email to MBOX format process will help you manage your emails seamlessly.

Microsoft Outlook is one of the well-known email clients that is been used by most users on the Internet. It is a personal information manager that is used to send and receive emails and store contacts, calendars, tasks, and other data items properly in a well-organized manner.

However, because of costly subscriptions and multiple errors, users are continuously switching to other platforms and email clients. Errors like:

• Outlook Data File Cannot be Configured
• Microsoft Outlook is Not Responding
• Outlook Data File Cannot Be Accessed
• Delay in Receiving Emails in Outlook Error
• Outlook Data Files Usage is Disabled on this Computer
• Outlook Not Opening Attachments When Double Click

If we talk about MBOX file format, then surely, we can say it is one of the popular formats that is been supported by most of the Email Clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, SeaMonkey, and others. It usually stores a lot of files, emails, and data items in it without having any kind of size limitation.

Exporting Outlook emails to MBOX will allow users to switch to different email clients or applications properly in a single file/folder. We all know Outlook exports its data to PST, which is not supported by any other email client. So, it is better to convert Outlook PST to MBOX format and use it anywhere according to your needs and requirements.

PST to MBOX Conversion on Mac & Windows Manually

You can convert Outlook PST files to MBOX format using Mac Outlook, Thunderbird, and GWMMO tools. All the methods are given below in detail:

#1: Convert PST to MBOX on Mac

Mac Outlook also supports PST format, so users can create MBOX files. Steps:

1. Simply start Mac Outlook.
2. Go to File >> Import option.
3. Select Outlook Data File(.PST) and choose PST file
4. Finally hit the Import button.
5. After, importing the file, drag the uploaded mailbox to the desktop.
6. Lastly, it will convert into MBOX format.

Method 2: Export Outlook Email to MBOX Format Using Thunderbird

Here first, we will import Outlook to Thunderbird account, and then we will move data to Thunderbird and export emails in MBOX format. Follow all the steps:

Important Note: Set Outlook as Default App Settings on your Computer. and your Outlook profile must be working properly.

Step 1: Connect Both Accounts

1. Open your Thunderbird to convert PST to MBOX.
2. Choose Tools >> Import…

   

3. Select the Mail option and hit the Next icon.

   

4. Choose Outlook and the Next button.

   

5. Now a folder name will appear as “Outlook Import.”

Step 2: Import Emails to Thunderbird

1. Restart your Thunderbird.
2. Choose ImportExportToolsNG from the Tools list.
3. Select the Export folder with the subfolders option.

   

4. Select the location and choose the folder.

   

5. Your file will be saved in MBOX format.

#3: Convert PST to MBOX Format using GWMMO

This manual method is divided into two parts, first, we will Transfer Outlook to Gmail account using the GWMMO tool. And then export folders using Google Takeout.

Step 1: Upload PST to Gmail Account

1. Install the GWMMO tool.
2. Login with your Gmail account.

   

3. After that, upload the PST file data.

   

4. Check the required data and hit the Migrate button.

   

5. The live process will start on the screen.

   

6. After the process, a confirmation will appear.

   

Step 2: Save Emails from Gmail

We will use Google Takeout to download all Gmail emails.

1. Firstly, open Google Takeout to convert PST to MBOX.
2. Hit the Deselect All option.

   

3. Check the required filters and hit the Next icon.

   

4. After that, apply the needed filters, and click on the Create Import icon.

   

How to Convert Outlook PST Files to MBOX?

• Step 1: Download PST to MBOX converter.
• Step 2: Upload Outlook PST files and folders.
• Step 3: Check the required data from the panel.
• Step 4: Choose MBOX as a saving option.
• Step 5: Select the location to save data.
• Step 6: Hit the Convert icon to export Outlook email to MBOX format.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Ques 1: Does Outlook support MBOX?

  Ans: No, Outlook doesn’t support MBOX files, but yes it supports PST, OST, and MSG formats.

• Ques 2: What is an MBOX file?

  Ans: An MBOX file is a regular way to keep messages. It holds all the information about the messages you saved, including the message itself and any attached files.

• Ques 3: Can Outlook export MBOX file format?

  Ans: No, Outlook does not export or support MBOX format. But yes, you can export data from Outlook using a third-party email client.

• Ques 4: What is the difference between PST and MBOX?

  Ans: The MBOX format is like a storage box for emails, helping keep them safe. The PST format, on the other hand, is like a storage space specifically for Outlook emails. It holds everything from emails to folders and settings.

• Ques 5: Does Gmail use MBOX?

  No, Gmail doesn’t use MBOX directly, but yes you can export Gmail emails to MBOX using Google takeout.

Conclusion

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to convert PST to MBOX with three effective methods. Among other advantages such as speed, ease of use, and upholding folder structure, this PST to MBOX converter is also fast in performance to export Outlook emails to MBOX format. This will convert into enhanced data portability, seamless data migration, and operating systems independence for MBOX. Choose the best solution for you and have a hassle-free process.