Import MBOX to Gmail With or Without Thunderbird: Easy Steps

Written By Shivam Rathore
Updated on April 15th, 2025

Summary: Managing emails has become a crucial task in today’s digital environment for streamlined communication. Users often query about having an MBOX file that they want to import into their Gmail account. However, Gmail doesn’t directly support the MBOX file format like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Netscape, and other clients. But with the right techniques, you can easily and quickly import MBOX to Gmail. In this blog, learn about the freeways and an MBOX File Converter for reliable import.

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Why Import MBOX Files into Gmail?

MBOX is a popular format to store data in the form of plain text. Whereas Gmail is a cloud service offered by Google for sending and receiving emails. The significant reasons to migrate MBOX to Gmail are:

Users can centralise MBOX file storage from several clients into a single email account.
Easy accessibility of data anytime and anywhere with a stable internet connection.
To transfer and store data from desktop-based clients to a prominent cloud platform.
Gmail is widely popular and has advanced features that enhance task productivity.
It has large storage space and is even used in various legal and governmental tasks.

After finding these causes, let’s proceed to learn the best solutions available for MBOX emails to Gmail transfer.

Method 1: Manually Import MBOX to Gmail with Thunderbird

The first available option is using the Mozilla Thunderbird application on your Windows OS to transfer data. Follow these steps:

Run Mozilla Thunderbird and click on the Add Account option from the More menu.
Then, enter the name, email, and password of your destination Gmail account and press Continue.
Further, choose the IMAP radio option in the account setup window and click on Done.
Review the details and click Finish to configure Gmail in the Thunderbird profile.
Afterward, go to the More menu and open the Add-ons and Themes window.
Use it to add the ImportExportTools NG add-on to your profile. (Skip steps 5 and 6 if already added.)
Next, right-click Local Folders in your Thunderbird and tap on ImportExportTools NG.
Select Import MBOX Files and then Individual MBOX Files to choose MBOX files.
Afterward, opt for the MBOX file to open from the system and press Open.
In the end, drag and drop the imported MBOX files into the synced Gmail account.

Method 2: Import MBOX to Gmail Account for Free

Another way to transfer MBOX to Gmail with Thunderbird is by using the Gmail account itself. To do so, the steps are mentioned as follows:

Sign in to your Gmail account and press the Gear icon to select See All Settings.
After that, move to the Accounts and Import tab from the options.
There, click on Import Mail and Contacts, and in the open window, enter your Thunderbird email.
Press Continue and edit the server details. (username, port number, etc.)
Later, click Next and select the MBOX items to import into your Gmail.
Finally, press Start Import to begin the transfer, and once it is complete, click OK.

By doing so, you can open MBOX file in Gmail. However, these methods, despite being cost-free, have some limitations. These are:

Time-consuming and not suitable for bulk MBOX files transfer at once.
Users need to enable IMAP in Gmail and Thunderbird profiles beforehand.
Technical knowledge or assistance is essential, especially for novice users.
No guarantee of retaining the data structure and metadata properties.
There is a chance that loss happens or even the MBOX file gets damaged.

Method 3: Import MBOX to Gmail Account Without Thunderbird

The most reliable solution to move MBOX to Gmail without Thunderbird client is by utilizing the EasyTechTools MBOX File Converter. This tool is equipped with various smart filter options and performs the task in minimum steps. It allows batch converting MBOX files and exporting them to desired clients without size restrictions. This excellent tool can seamlessly import MBOX to cPanel or Gmail and other clients directly. Additionally, it can be run by any kind of user on all Windows systems with ease. Moreover, the tool offers a free version to convert up to 50 emails per folder for free.

Steps to Import MBOX Files into Gmail

Launch MBOX Converter and add MBOX files and folders. Click Next.
Preview the data and attachments. Select folders to import and tap Next.
Further, opt for the Gmail email client from the drop-down saving options.
Enter your Gmail email and sign in to your account through the browser.
Afterward, select the filters from the tool to apply to the new data.
At last, click Convert to complete the MBOX to Gmail migration.

Conclusion

To conclude, the process to import MBOX to Gmail with or without Thunderbird isn’t difficult. By following the appropriate steps as mentioned above in the three different solutions, users can perform the import. The manual tasks are a bit lengthy and require time to provide the desired results. Still, there are other cons due to which the manual method seems inconvenient. Thus, experts suggest a professional tool as the preferred choice for MBOX to Gmail data transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 How do I import MBOX to Gmail in bulk?

Ans: Bulk import MBOX files into Gmail by following these steps:
1. Launch MBOX Conversion Tool and add MBOX files. Click Next.
2. Preview the data and select the folders for transfer. Tap Next.
3. Then, choose Gmail email client and sign in to your account.
4. Select the filters to apply and press Convert to import data.
5. Once done, click OK and exit the application.

Q.2 Can I Import MBOX to Gmail Without Thunderbird?

Ans. Yes, you can open MBOX file in Gmail without Thunderbird using the MBOX File Conversion software. It is an effective utility to manage the import and export of MBOX files in various formats and clients. The tool imposes no restrictions and provides 100% accurate results without loss.

About The Author:

Shivam Rathore

Meet Shivam, an experienced SEO executive and content strategist. He combines creativity with strategy to craft engaging content that connects with audiences and supports brand goals. With strong expertise in digital marketing and content planning, Shivam helps businesses thrive online.