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Import EML Files to Thunderbird on Mac – A Complete Tutorial

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Published By Chirag Arora
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Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On August 2nd, 2022
Reading Time 6 Minutes Reading
Import EML to Thunderbird on Mac

As all we know, EML represents a single digital email message. Also, many email applications such as Mozilla Thunderbird and Windows Live Mail support .eml file format. However, it can be seen that many users face problems while importing EML files into Thunderbird email client. Thus, after considering the users’ situation, we have come up with this blog.

In this post, we are going to provide some reliable and quick methods to add EML files to Mozilla Thunderbird application without any hassle. But, first, understand a real-life scenario for better insight into the problem.

The below-mentioned scenario is taken from the reputed technical forums. This situation helps the users to understand the need to add EML files to Thunderbird client.

User Query:Please help! I have a folder of .eml files on my Mac machine. But when I tried to import them into Mac Thunderbird application, I was facing some technical issues. Now, the problem is that I am unable to transfer EML files in Thunderbird. So, I urgently need a solution that can do this whole process without interrupting my data. If any technical friend of mine knows the method, please suggest me.”

 

How to Import EML to Thunderbird on Mac Quickly?

For the quick transfer of files, using a professional solution is the best way forward. Mac Thunderbird Import Wizard is an impeccable tool that successfully transfers multiple EML files into Thunderbird account. Apart from this, with the help of software, users can also import EMLX, MBOX, MBX, MBS, and Maildir files. Hence, you will be able to read and open EML files on Mac machine.

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The tool is available for MAC OS X 10.8 and all the above versions. Moreover, the software builds with a strong algorithm that performs the complete transfer process without altering the data structure.

Read More: Quirky Way to Import EML Files to Apple Mail on Mac

Instant Steps to Transfer EML File to Thunderbird

  • Step 1: Install & Run the import software.
  • Step 2: Browse & Add Multiple EML files.
  • Step 3: Choose Thunderbird account to transfer data.
  • Step 4: Click “Import” to upload EML files to Thunderbird.

The complete process is as follows:

1- Launch the software on your Mac system and select the Browse EML/EMLX File(s) option.

browse eml file

2- Click the Add File(s) or Add Folder(s) button to locate the folder containing all the EML files

add folder button

3- So, once the EML files are added to the software, click on the Next button.

add eml files

4- Select the Mozilla Thunderbird identity/profile in the next window.

select thunderbird identity

5- Now, choose the active account in which you want to import the EML files.

Keep in mind that it is technically impossible to import EML files in Mac Thunderbird IMAP account, so choose either the POP account or Local Folders. You can later move the data from Local Folders to the desired IMAP account mailbox within Thunderbird.

 

choose thunderbird account

6- After this, select the folder in which you want to secure your exported fie, tap Change

select saving location

7- Finally, click on the Import button to start the import EML to Thunderbird on Mac process.

click import button

8- Once the process completes successfully, click the OK button.

thunderbird eml import process completed

Now, you can open the Mozilla Thunderbird email client and view all the EML files as email messages in its interface.

How to Import EML Message into Thunderbird on Mac Manually?

In the following section, users will understand the suitable manual workaround to add .eml files to Thunderbird. So, let’s begin with the first approach to accomplish this task.

Use Drag & Drop to Transfer EML Messages in Thunderbird Manually

  • The first step is to create a new folder in Mozilla Thunderbird. For this, right-click on the Inbox folder and select the New Folder option.
  • After that, provide a suitable name for the new folder and click on Create Folder button
  • As soon as you click on the button, a new subfolder of Inbox is created in the Thunderbird account
  • Now, minimize the Thunderbird and navigate to the folder where all the .eml files are present
  • You need to select all the files and drag the messages that saved in .eml format into the newly created folder in Thunderbird
  • It takes a few minutes to import EML message to Thunderbird
  • It is advised to close the application after the completion of the process. Then, reopen and view the EML files in Mozilla Thunderbird.

Manually Open EML Files in Mac Thunderbird Using Import/Export Tool

  • To start the process, you need to download the free Thunderbird Import/Export Tool Add-on from the official website (https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/).
  • After that, launch the Mozilla Thunderbird application on your system. Now, click on the Tools tab from the menu
  • Select the Add-ons option from the Tools menu. After that, click on Gear drop-down button and choose Install Add-on From File option.
  • Browse the folder where the Import/Export tool.xpi file resides and click on Open
  • Now, you need to click on the Install Now icon. This will automatically add the Import/Export Tool in Thunderbird
  • Next, select the Restart Now button to relaunch the Thunderbird application
  • Once the program opens completely, right-click on the Inbox folder and select the New Folder option to make a subfolder
  • After that, select the newly created folder and right-click on it.
  • Click on Tools >> Import/Export Tools >> Import Messages option sequentially
  • From Select the messages to import window, select the .eml files that you want to import and click on Open
  • Finally, you can open your EML messages in the Thunderbird folder

Shortcomings of the Manual Method on Mac OS

As all we know, the manual workarounds are free of cost but they do not guarantee 100% results. That is why they are not the ideal way to import EML files into Thunderbird. Some of the major drawbacks are:

  • In the drag & drop method, uploading multiple EML files to Thunderbird is not technically possible. When yo try to do so in one go then the entire system gets frozen. To resolve this situation, the user needs to shut down the application and restart the entire process.
  • Without Import/Export tool, you can’t upload EML files into Thunderbird application on Mac machine.
  • Moreover, this manual method takes a huge time to transfer .eml files into Mozilla Thunderbird.

The Last Note

In this article, we have discussed the manual way to import EML files to Thunderbird in Mac environment. However, due to limitations, we have also suggested a quick way to add .eml files in Thunderbird application without any hassle. Now, users can choose any of the mentioned techniques as per their requirements and convenience.