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How to upload MBOX file to Gmail account? Step by step guide

How to upload MBOX file to Gmail account? Step by step guide


Gmail users can import messages from various email servers by using Import Mail and Contacts from settings, but when you want to open MBOX file in Gmail account, then these methods failed to do so. However, other solutions are available to import MBOX to Gmail account. Let us move ahead and discuss the solution for the query “How to import/upload MBOX emails to Gmail?”


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In this write-up, you can get answers to the following queries:

  • How to import Apple Mail MBOX files into Gmail?
  • How to open MBOX data file in Gmail?
  • What are the ways to upload MBOX to Google Mail account?

Ways to import MBOX files in Gmail account


MBOX is a file format containing multiple emails in it. It is well supported by a huge number of email clients of Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, Entourage, Spicebird, and others.


Here, we will show you a manual method using Thunderbird by which one can import MBOX file to Gmail account on Windows OS with IMAP configuration.


Step 1. Set Up Gmail account in Thunderbird


If you have MBOX files with you then import them to Mozilla Thunderbird using Import/Export add-on. Then start Thunderbird and go through the steps –

  • Go to Tools menu and select Account Settings
account setting
  • Choose Account Actions and select Add Mail account.
account actions
  • Fill details of Gmail account like name, email address, and password. Hit Continue button.
type gmail account details
  • All the provided details are checked. Then, choose IMAP option and click Done
choose imap option
  • This will redirect you to Gmail account to verify the email address. Click OK
verify email address
  • Enter the password of your Gmail account and hit Next.
type password gmail
  • Click on Allow to provide permission to Thunderbird to read Gmail messages. Now, go back Thunderbird setup email account window.
click on allow
  • Here, you will see Gmail account is configured in Thunderbird and you can see Gmail email folders on the left side.
gmail account configure

Step 2. Move MBOX emails to Gmail account


Once Gmail is configured in Thunderbird, move MBOX files into that Gmail account with the help of steps discussed below –

  • Go to Gmail account and right-click on the Inbox folder. Then, select New folder.
select new folder
  • Provide a name to the folder and hit Create Folder
type name folder
  • Now, drag emails from Thunderbird account to the newly created folder.
new create folder

This is how one can indirectly import MBOX files into Gmail account using Thunderbird application.

Challenges faced by users using manual method to upload MBOX to Gmail


There are several challenges faced by users in implementing the manual solution to get MBOX data files in Gmail account like –

  • Installation of Thunderbird is must to complete the process
  • Non-technical users face issues in various stages in this process so they found this method unfit for them.
  • Time consumption is more in this method due to the number of steps.
  • No assurance of data safety. Users may lose their important data files.

Professional method to open MBOX files into Gmail account


Here is another solution for you that is Cloud Importer professional tool. It offers a direct import facility and can be easily tackled by non-technical persons. Moreover, with a few simple steps, MBOX emails are smartly imported to Gmail account in a few minutes.


You can easily import MBOX files in bulk with this software. All MBOX files are smoothly imported without utilizing any external tool like Thunderbird or any other. The best part is you can comfortably upload unlimited MBOX emails to Gmail with attachments and other details. Let us move to the steps to import MBOX to Google Mail account –

  • Download and Install MBOX to Gmail Importer on your Windows system.
  • Add MBOX files on the software panel and hit Next.
add mbox file
  • Select Gmail account under mail source and hit Next.
select gmail account
  • Provide login credentials of the Gmail account – username and password. After that, click on Authenticate User button.
username password gmail
  • Now, choose a folder of Gmail account or create a new folder in which you want to move MBOX files.
  • In the end, place the mouse cursor to Upload Now button. This will take a few minutes and import MBOX messages to Gmail account.

A report at the end of the migration process is generated that explains you details about the migration including file number, location of files in Gmail account, and others.

Final Closure

In this write-up, we have covered all possible ways to open MBOX file in Gmail account. You have a manual solution which is a little tricky and time-taking so you can move to the third-party solution to get instant and accurate results. For more details about the software, download its demo edition and evaluate it by importing 10 items per folder.