Monday 15th September 2025

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Complete Guide for Apple Mail to Thunderbird Migration
Export, How to, Solution, Thunderbird

Complete Guide for Apple Mail to Thunderbird Migration

Andrew Watson

Summary: Apple Mail comes with every macOS operating system. In today’s time, many users are switching from macOS to Windows OS, and in this situation, users also need to switch their email client from Apple Mail to a Windows OS. On the other hand, Thunderbird is also an open-source email client that can be freely operated with any Windows OS, which gives you multiple functionalities, such as extensive customization and add-ons. If you are also trying to move email data from Apple Mail to Thunderbird, then this blog is for you. Whatever the reason for migrating emails, the task can be challenging for everyone. This guide will show you the simple process to convert Apple Mail emails to Thunderbird account.

Apple Mail to Thunderbird – Common Reasons & Solution

Transferring emails from Apple Mail can be a difficult challenge for everybody because you need to know about the email client functions and then the whole process. On macOS, Apple Mail is the default email client. It has a clean, simple interface, and that gives its users seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. Another function is that it is great for users who are fully focused on the world of Macs, iPhones, iPads, etc. Apple Mail gives you simplicity, but also has some limitations for those users who need more advanced features or want to use a different OS.

Thunderbird was developed by Mozilla in 2004. Thunderbird has multiple powerful features, and it’s also an open-source and cross-platform email client. Usually, this email client is highly customizable because of its vast library of add-ons. It offers robust features like advanced filtering, smart folders, strong security, add-on features, etc. Users often switch from Apple Mail to Thunderbird when they move from Mac to Windows or Linux. They just like an email client that gives them more control and flexibility.

Despite the benefits, the migration process also comes with multiple common challenges.

Reasons to Convert Apple Mail to Mozilla Thunderbird

  • Cross-Platform availability – Thunderbird works on Windows, macOS, or Linux systems, unlike Apple Mail, which only works with macOS.
  • Free Service—Thunderbird is completely free and open-source. User get more cost-effective compared to Apple’s ecosystem.
  • Add-ons & Extensions features—Thunderbird offers users more flexibility by accepting multiple add-ons such as calendars, productivity, encryption, and customization.
  • Control Over Emails—When compared to Apple Mail’s limited features, users have the easiest and best control over storage, configurations, and migration options.
  • Wider Workability—Thunderbird easily handles the bulk of MBOX files from different clients. Get more flexibility for users who switch between platforms.
  • Get Regular Updates or Community Support—Thunderbird receives frequent new features and security updates and has impressive community support.
  • Quick Filter or Search—Thunderbird offers advanced filters and quick search options. It makes email handling better for Thunderbird users.
  • Independence from macOS—Switch email clients from Windows or Linux, and they can still access their Apple Mail data in Thunderbird.
  • Supports many Accounts—Thunderbird can be operated with multiple email accounts easily. Apple Mail makes users feel more limited in this situation.
  • Data Transferability—Thunderbird stores data in multiple supported formats, such as MBOX, EML, CSV, and many other formats that make future migrations or backups simple.

mac-mail-to-thunderbird-account

Top Technique: Export Apple Mail to Thunderbird

If you want to move Apple Mail emails to a Thunderbird account, then use the available manual method. Since both clients support the MBOX format. Users can transfer data without third-party applications, but this process requires following these careful steps.

  • Open Apple Mail on your Mac.
  • Either select “Export Mailbox” or navigate to Mailbox.
  • Select or save full mailbox on the desktop.
  • Create an MBOX file on the system.
  • Install or open Thunderbird on PC.
  • Go to the ImportExportTools NG add-on.
  • If you don’t have add-ons, then download them by search, and after that, refresh Thunderbird.
  • To choose the exported MBOX file from Apple Mail, utilize the add-on.
  • Check the Apple Mail email in Thunderbird after it has been imported.

Note: Thunderbird ImportExportTools NG helps users to freely import MBOX to Thunderbird without needing the installation of a third-party tool. But with this extension, users cannot move corrupted, damaged MBOX files. To move Apple Mail MBOX files into Thunderbird, use the professional approach once.

Expert Solution: Switch | Move Mac Emails to Thunderbird

If users are facing issues with corrupted or damaged Apple Mail files, then users can try the simple solution from BLR Tools. Users can download or install the BLR MBOX converter to export Apple Mail to Thunderbird. This tool can directly import the whole mailbox within minutes without any data size limitations. This application allows you to import Apple Mail files to Gmail, Outlook, and many other email clients. This tool also gives you a free trial edition that exports the first 15 Apple Mail emails into Thunderbird.

download-free -software

Steps to Export Mac Mail to Thunderbird

  • Download BLR Tools MBOX file converter from official website.
  • Launch and start the tool on PC.
  • Select Apple Mail (.mbox) files or folders in the software.

select-apple-mail-mbox-file

  • Preview selected MBOX files.

preview-all-mbox-files

  • Pick IMAP option from the file list.

choose-imap-format-in-the-list

  • Use the same login information that you used to access Thunderbird.
  • Verify 2-step verification and use the email ID and app password in the software that helps you connect the software to the Thunderbird account.
  • After clicking sign-in, now use the filter features.

sign-in-imap-account

  • Click the “export” button to start conversion process.
  • Go to the Thunderbird folder and check the files in the inbox or the new folder that was automatically created by the software.

Top Capabilities of this software

  • Users can install this tool on any Windows OS. Whether they use Windows 8 or Windows 11? This application effortlessly works with all Windows operating systems.
  • Convert Apple Mail to Outlook, G Suite, PDF, HTML, PST, EML, and other formats without needing or installing any extra email clients.
  • Safe to convert bulk Apple Mail files or folders to reduce the time.
  • The preview feature helps to know about the email attributes that can be seen in this application, unlike the manual method.
  • No chances of data loss if users are converting MBOX files in GB.
  • Support or convert all MBOX-supportive email clients’ MBOX files without any difficulties.
  • The free trial edition gives you insurance and converts the first 15 emails from Apple Mail to Mozilla Thunderbird.

Final Thoughts,

In this blog, users will learn the simple, free, or direct method to convert Apple Mail emails into Mozilla Thunderbird. can freely convert Apple Mail to Thunderbird, but it requires time and patience if users want to convert batch of Apple Mail files to Thunderbird. On the other hand, the professional method allows for the direct import of Apple Mail MBOX files into Thunderbird. An expert tool that can easily convert a bulk of Mac Mail emails into Mozilla Thunderbird without any trouble. Users can also convert selective and bulk Apple Mail folders with the software.