If you want to convert Mailbox from Mac Outlook to MBOX or another email client like Thunderbird or Apple Mail, you might need to change your mailbox to MBOX format. MBOX files can be opened by many popular email programs, but Mac Outlook saves data in OLM format.
Because Outlook for Mac doesn't let you export emails to MBOX directly, users have to do it by hand. In this blog post, we'll show you how to easily and step-by-step change a mailbox from Mac Outlook to MBOX format. Lastly, in the blog, I give an alternative, easy, and reliable way to convert Mac OLM data to MBOX format.
Getting to Know the File Types
It is important to know what the two file formats are before you start the conversion.
What does OLM mean?
Outlook for Mac uses the OLM file format to store emails, contacts, calendars, notes, and other mailbox data. You can only open this file in Mac Outlook.
What is MBOX?
Many email clients, like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, and others, support the MBOX email file format. It keeps emails in one text file, which makes it easy to move to other platforms.
Why do you want to change your Mac Outlook mailbox to MBOX?
There are a number of reasons why people want to change their Mac Outlook mailbox to MBOX:
Moving from Outlook to Thunderbird
Moving emails to Apple Mail
Making a backup in a format that most users can use
Getting to Outlook data in a client that supports MBOX
Switching from Mac to another platform
Outlook for Mac doesn't have a direct "Export to MBOX" option, so we have to use a manual method.
How to Manually Change a Mac Outlook Mailbox to MBOX
The manual method has two main steps:
Export Outlook for Mac Mailbox (OLM file)
Add OLM data to an email client that supports MBOX
Let's make sure we understand each step.
Step 1: Get the mailbox out of Outlook for Mac
Do the following:
On your computer, open Outlook for Mac.
From the top menu, choose the Tools tab.
Choose "Export."
Pick the things you want to export, like Mail, Contacts, Calendar, etc.
Click on "Continue."
Pick a place to save the file.
Save the file in the .olm format.
Your Outlook mailbox data is now saved in the OLM format.
Step 2: Use Thunderbird to change OLM to MBOX (a manual way to do it)
You can use Mozilla Thunderbird to get around the fact that Outlook can't export directly to MBOX.
Get Mozilla Thunderbird set up.
Get Mozilla Thunderbird for your Mac and install it.
After you install Thunderbird, open it.
To install the ImportExportTools NG Add-on:
Go to Tools > Add-ons and Themes.
Look for ImportExportTools NG.
Put the add-on in place.
Close and open Thunderbird again.
Bring OLM data into Thunderbird.
You can't import OLM files directly into Thunderbird. So, first, you need to do one of the following:
Import OLM into Apple Mail (optional), or
Sync Outlook emails with an IMAP account.
Method 2: The manual way (using IMAP Sync)
This is a safer and more useful way to do it by hand.
Step 1: Set up IMAP in Outlook
Add your Gmail or another IMAP account to Outlook.
You can move Outlook mailbox folders into IMAP account folders by dragging and dropping them.
Wait until everything is synced.
Step 2: Set up the same IMAP account in Thunderbird
In Thunderbird, add the same Gmail or IMAP account.
Let Thunderbird sync all of your emails.
Step 3: Save Emails as MBOX
In Thunderbird, right-click on the folder that has been synced.
Choose Import Export Tools NG.
Select the folder to export.
Choose the MBOX format.
Keep the file.
Your mailbox is now in MBOX format, which is great!
The Manual Method's Drawbacks
This manual solution works, but it has some problems:
A long process
Needs technical know-how
There is a chance that data will be lost during sync
The order of folders may change
Attachments might not move over correctly
It takes longer for big mailboxes to sync
This method works well if your mailbox is small. But the process might get harder for big or business mailboxes.
Alternative way to change a Mac Outlook mailbox to MBOX
You can use a professional tool like GainTools OLM to MBOX Converter if the manual method seems too hard, takes too long, or is too risky. A dedicated tool makes the process easier, safer, and much faster, especially for big mailboxes. We will show you a different way to easily Convert Mac Outlook mailbox to MBOX format using a sample tool.
An alternative way is to use the OLM to MBOX Converter Tool.
Step 1: Get the OLM file out of Outlook for Mac
You need your OLM file before you can use the tool.
Launch Outlook for Mac.
Click on Tools and then Export.
Choose Mail and any other things you need.
On your computer, save the file as .olm.
Your mailbox data is now ready to be changed.
Step 2: Get the OLM to MBOX Tool and run it
Put the OLM to MBOX Converter on your computer.
Run the program.
To add the OLM file, click on Browse.
See what's in your mailbox before you send it.
Most professional tools let you see a preview of your emails before you convert them.
Step 3: Choose MBOX as the output format
From the list of export options, pick MBOX.
Choose the folder where you want to go.
Press the Convert button.
The software will begin changing the mailbox from OLM to MBOX format.
You can import the MBOX file into Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or any other email client that supports MBOX after you finish.
Conclusion
You can manually change a mailbox from Mac Outlook to MBOX, but it takes a lot of steps. Users have to use workarounds like IMAP synchronization and Thunderbird export because Outlook for Mac only exports data in OLM format.
The manual method works well for moving small mailboxes and for personal use. But because of its limitations and complexity, it might not be the best choice for transferring large or professional data.
You can change your Mac Outlook mailbox to MBOX format without using any third-party tools if you follow the steps above carefully.
