Wednesday 10th September 2025

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Simple Method: Import MBOX to Apple Mail on MacOS
Email Conversion, File formats, How to, Import, Solution

Simple Method: Import MBOX to Apple Mail on MacOS

Andrew Watson

Introduction: Emails with their attachments intact can be saved in a single file using the MBOX format. Multiple email clients can create MBOX files, such as Thunderbird, Eudora, Google Takeout, SeaMonkey, etc. This file type is best for storing bulk emails in one place. But sometimes, when we change operating systems, it will be hard to access on Windows. If you are a macOS user and use Mail as a primary email client, then you need to move MBOX files into Apple Mail to get access to old email backups. In this situation, users need to import MBOX to Apple Mail, but the question raised here is how to import email backup to Mac Mail without losing email originality. Then this blog will be helpful for this process. Read further to know the complete process.

Why Import MBOX to Apple Mail? –Reasons

There are many reasons why users need to import MBOX files into a Mac Mail account:

  • Primary email client: On macOS, Apple Mail is the primary email client used by macOS users. It also offers smooth integration with the operating system. If users upload MBOX files in Apple Mail, it lets users manage all emails within one familiar interface.
  • Easy Access to MBOX Old Emails: If users get MBOX data in Apple Mail, they can quickly access past communication without needing another email client.
  • Switching emails in other clients: If users use Gmail, Thunderbird, and Eudora, which store emails in MBOX format. Direct import is made possible by Apple Mail, which facilitates migration.
  • Full macOS Integration: Apple Mail also syncs with iCloud, Contacts, Calendar, etc. By importing MBOX files, users can take advantage of the whole ecosystem for better productivity.
  • Better Email Management: There is no juggling of multiple clients once users import MBOX files into Apple Mail. It makes email management the best for all accounts and mailboxes in one place.
  • Backup & security: MBOX emails can be easily backed up within macOS by using Time Machine in Apple’s ecosystem.
  • Offline opening and accessing emails: MBOX emails can be available to open offline in Apple Mail. It can be read or searched anytime without internet access.

open-mbox-files-on-mac-mail

Manual Method to Import MBOX into Apple Mail

Apple Mail has a simple built-in feature that makes this process easy if you use Apple Mail. There are users who need no third-party software to migrate MBOX data into Apple Mail. Follow this step-by-step guide:

  • Launch Apple Mail on macOS.
  • You will find it in your “Dock” or the “Applications folder.“
  • Go to Apple Mail “menu bar” at the top screen.
  • Click on “File,” and then select “Import Mailboxes….” This will open the import wizard.
  • A new window will pop up asking you to choose the data format.
  • Select option “Files in mbox format.” After that, click “Continue.”
  • Go to the ‘location’ where your MBOX file is saved.
  • Select the MBOX file or folder that has the MBOX format and click “Choose.”
  • Apple Mail now begins the importing process.

Once the process is done, use this process to see the MBOX files. You will see the imported mailboxes under a new section named “Import” after the process is complete. This can be found in the left sidebar of the Apple Mail window. The names of the imported folders will match those of the original MBOX file or folder.

Note on Limitations: The import process can take too much time. Regardless of the size of the MBOX file, it can vary greatly. Sometimes, large MBOX files/folders may take a long time and not be completed. Users are also aware that if the MBOX file is corrupt or damaged, the import procedure may fail.

Alternative Method: Open MBOX Files on macOS

In rare cases where the manual method fails because of a severely corrupted MBOX file. Other complex issues might bother users if users are trying to migrate MBOX files. Try the advanced solution, such as the BLR MBOX converter tool, to import MBOX to Apple Mail account. This application can repair and import damaged MBOX files.

Before importing MBOX to Apple Mail, use these Tips

If you want a smooth and successful migration, then use these best practices:

  • Before starting any process, whether it’s advanced or manual, you need to place all MBOX files that you want to import into a single one. It will be an easy-to-find folder on your Mac.
  • Make sure all MBOX files aren’t zero kilobytes or corrupted.
  • Before making any major alterations, it’s a good idea to back up your current Apple Mail data, even though the import process is usually safe.

Conclusion,

In this blog, users will learn the quick, simple method to import MBOX to Apple Mail on macOS. The first method is a free and simple method to export MBOX files into Mac Mail, but if users have corrupted or damaged files, then the free method doesn’t work properly. The professional method can help users to export damaged, corrupted, or inaccessible MBOX files into an Apple Mail account without any data loss. BLR MBOX email converter is a simple solution to convert MBOX files into multiple formats along with Apple Mail. I hope you understand this blog properly to make the conversion process simple.