How to Convert .mbox to .eml Using Thunderbird + ImportExportTools NG

When you export emails from Gmail or Google Workspace using Google Takeout, you’ll receive your mailbox in a .mbox file format. That’s great for archiving—but not so convenient when you want to open individual emails in apps like Microsoft Outlook or share them one by one.

Recently, I needed to do exactly that, and after some research, I found a reliable solution using Mozilla Thunderbird and the ImportExportTools NG add-on.

Here’s a complete, step-by-step guide on how to convert your .mbox file to individual .eml files using Thunderbird.

📁 What Are .mbox and .eml Files?

🗃 What is .mbox?

.mbox stands for Mailbox format.
It stores all your email messages in a single text file, one after another.
Generated by Google Takeout and supported by email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and others.
⚠️ Outlook does not support .mbox natively.

📧 What is .eml?

Contains a single email per file — with headers, body, and attachments.
Compatible with Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Mail, etc.
Perfect for backups, forensic review, or sharing individual emails.

🧰 What You’ll Need

✅ Mozilla Thunderbird (free)
✅ ImportExportTools NG add-on
✅ A .mbox file from Google Workspace/Gmail

🔧 Step-by-Step Guide to Convert .mbox to .eml

📥 1. Install Mozilla Thunderbird

Visit thunderbird.net
Download and install Thunderbird
Launch it and skip setting up an email account (use Local Folders only)

🗂 2. Enable Local Folders

Thunderbird uses Local Folders as a place to store email files without connecting to a mail server.

📌 If you don’t see “Local Folders” in the left pane:

Click ☰ (menu) → Account Settings
Scroll to check that “Local Folders” is listed

🔌 3. Install ImportExportTools NG Add-on

Click ☰ → Add-ons and Themes (or press Ctrl + Shift + A)
Search for ImportExportTools NG
Click “Add to Thunderbird”
Restart Thunderbird if needed
🔗 Direct link to the add-on

📦 4. Import `.mbox` File

⚠️ Do not drag the .mbox file into Thunderbird. You must use the add-on to import it properly.

Right-click on “Local Folders”
Choose: ImportExportTools NG → Import mbox file
Select: ✅ “Import directly one or more mbox files”
Browse and select your .mbox file (from Google Takeout)

📁 A new folder (e.g. “All Mail”) will appear under Local Folders, containing all emails.

💾 5. Export Emails as `.eml` Files

Right-click the imported folder (under Local Folders)
Select: ImportExportTools NG → Export all messages in the folder → EML format
Choose a destination on your local drive

📤 All messages will now be exported as individual .eml files, ready for use.

✅ What’s Next?

🟢 Open in Microsoft Outlook by dragging .eml files into any Outlook folder
🟢 Use them for documentation, backup, or individual sharing
🟢 Archive them for future reference

📌 Final Thoughts

Using Thunderbird + ImportExportTools NG is one of the easiest and safest ways to convert .mbox archives into flexible, Outlook-compatible .eml files — all with free tools and full control over your data.

If you’d like a version with screenshots or a downloadable guide, let me know!

Please follow and like us:

Post Views: 1