Export Outlook Mac to MBOX File Format? How-to Guide

Looking for a way to solve how to export Outlook Mac to MBOX? Still don’t get any convenient solution. Don’t need to worry about it now we are providing a convenient way to export Outlook Mac 2011, 2016, 2019.

Before email migration ensure that the database files are supported by both parties involved in the migration. MBOX is a file format which was supported by 21+ email including Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc. also MBOX files only stores emails and attachments. In this scenario, the user needs to export Outlook for Mac to MBOX by exporting the OLM files. Here we will provide the most suitable manual methods to export Outlook Mac Files to MBOX format.

Table of Contents

1. How to Export Mac Outlook 2019, 2016, 2011 to OLM file?
2. Drawbacks for Manual Method
3. Export Outlook Mac to MBOX Using IMAP Account
4. Altogether
5. FAQ ( Frequently Asked Questions)

How to Export Mac Outlook 2019, 2016, 2011 to OLM file

It is to get OLM database files from Mac Outlook. Follow the steps given below:

• Launch Outlook for Mac 2011
• Go to the File menu and choose the Export option
• Select Outlook for Mac data file
• Choose Mails from the list and go through the instructions
• Now you have an archive file in .olm extension

Outlook for Mac 2016, 2019

• Go to the Tools tab and choose the Export button
• An Export to Archive File (.olm) Window appears. Select the mail and click on continue
• Browse the folder in which you want to save your file and click on Save button
• Hit Finish to successfully save Outlook for Mac to OLM files after the process is completed

Export Mac OLM Files to MBOX

• First, open your Outlook Mac.
• After that, choose the box (mailbox) which you want to share.
• Then, drag and drop the selected mailbox to your computer desktop.
• The box will now become an MBOX file on your desktop.
• Now you have successfully done the process of Export Outlook Mac to MBOX file format.

Also Read: Complete Solution to Save Mac Outlook Emails in PDF File Format

Drawbacks for Export Outlook Mac to MBOX

• You need to be tech-savvy.
• Missing any step means starting over.
• It is complex and time-consuming.
• Your data might not stay perfect.

Export Outlook Mac to MBOX Using IMAP Account

This method involves using IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) accounts to transfer  your emails between email clients or any other platform. Users set up IMAP accounts in both the source and destination email clients and then validate emails between them using the IMAP protocol. With this method, emails are transferred over the network from the source email client (such as Outlook for Mac) to the IMAP server and then from the IMAP server to the destination email client like Thunderbird. By, this you can convert Outlook Mac to MBOX easily.

Step 1. Configure IMAP Account in Outlook for Mac 

• Open Outlook for Mac version.
• Go to “Tools” > “Accounts”.
• Click on the “+” icon and select “Email.”
• Enter your email address and password.
• Select “IMAP” as the account type.
• Go to the incoming mail server settings (IMAP server, port number, SSL settings, etc.) provided by your email provider.
• View the outgoing mail server settings (SMTP server, port number, SSL settings, etc.) provided by your email provider.
• Click “Add Account” to add the IMAP account to further export Outlook Mac to MBOX.

Step 2. Move your Emails to IMAP Account 

• Once the IMAP account is configured, Outlook for Mac will start validating your emails with the IMAP server.
• Move or copy your emails which you want to export to the IMAP account’s folders. You can create new folders within the IMAP account to organize your emails as per your need.
• Allow some time for Outlook for Mac to sync the emails with the IMAP server, especially if you have a large number of email files to transfer.

Step 3. Access IMAP Account from MBOX Email Client

• Open an email client  that supports both IMAP and MBOX formats. Mozilla Thunderbird is a popular choice for this purpose.
• Configure the same IMAP account that you set up in Outlook for Mac in the email client.
• Once the IMAP account is configured, the emails synchronized from Outlook for Mac should appear in the email client.
• Verify that all the emails you want to export are accessible and properly synchronized.

Step 4. Export Emails to MBOX Format 

• In the email client, select your emails which you want to export to MBOX format.
• Check if there is an option to export emails to MBOX format directly within the email client. Some email clients, like Thunderbird, may have built-in export options for MBOX.
• If there is no built-in export option, you can manually copy the emails from the email client’s folder structure and save them as MBOX file Format..

Step 5. Finalize the Export Process 

• Once the emails are exported to MBOX file format, verify that the exported MBOX files contain all the desired emails.
• Optionally, you can compress the MBOX files into a single archive (e.g., ZIP file) for easier storage of your files.
• Store the exported MBOX files in a secure location on your computer or external storage device.
• Now, you have successfully done the process to export Outlook Mac to MBOX.

Also Read: Method to Create a PST file in Outlook for Mac

Altogether

In the above article, we have first discussed the reasons to migrate outlook Mac PST files to .mbox format. Then, we have gone through these manual methods to execute the task without any extra effort & hassles. Alternative way of doing is by using the best & reliable convenient method that is EmailDoctor Mac PST Converter tool to export outlook Mac files into MBOX file efficiently.  

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q) Can I Export MBOX Files from Apple Mail into Outlook PST?

 Yes, you can import MBOX files from Apple Mail into Outlook. First, you need to export your mailbox from Apple Mail in MBOX file format. Then, you can use a conversion tool to convert the MBOX file to PST format, which later can be imported into Outlook.

Q) Is MBOX compatible with Mac?

Yes Mbox is a universal application that will run natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel processors. So, it is compatible with all recent Apple Mac computers.

Q) Can I directly export my emails from Outlook Mac to MBOX format?

 No, Outlook for Mac does not have a built-in option to export emails directly to MBOX format. However, you can export your emails from Outlook for Mac using the IMAP account method.