Two Best Methods to Import MBOX Files into Gmail

MBOX is a preferred file type for backing up emails used by various email clients such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and more. However, many users want to integrate the MBOX file into Gmail, as it is more accessible, has cloud storage, and automatic syncing across devices. In this blog, we describe two systems for integrating MBOX files into Gmail: using a combination of the desktop email client Mozilla Thunderbird with the Import Export Tools add-on, and using a dedicated MBOX Converter tool.

Method 1: Integrating the MBOX files to Gmail with Import Export Tools NG

One of the manual methods of integrating MBOX files into Gmail is done using the Import Export Tools NG add-on for Mozilla Thunderbird. This manual process is available for free; however, the downside is that it requires a significant amount of time and knowledge of configuring email clients. Here is a simplified step-by-step process for taking your MBOX files and putting them into a Gmail account.

Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to integrate MBOX into Gmail in Thunderbird

Start Thunderbird: Download the Mozilla Thunderbird email client application onto your device via the Thunderbird webpage if not already installed, and simply start the application.

Navigate to Add-ons and Themes: Click on the Menu Button located in the top right corner (3 horizontal lines). From the drop-down menu, choose the Add-ons and Themes link.

Install Import Export Tools NG: Using the Add-ons menu, search for Import Export Tools NG, and click on the Add to Thunderbird button to install the add-on.

Activate: After you install, you will see a pop-up wizard. Acknowledge the installation by clicking on Add. Re-launch Thunderbird and you will now be using Import Export Tools NG.

Use Import Export Tools NG: Go back to the Thunderbird mailbox interface and right click on the Local Folders section of the left pane and click on the Import Export Tools NG section in the drop-down menu.

Import Your MBOX File: To begin, under the Menu, go to Import MBOX file. You will see several options, but ultimately, choose Import directly one or more MBOX files and click OK.

Select Out Your MBOX File: Either browse your system or manually select the MBOX file you want to import. Once you select the file, you will click Open.

Access Your Imported Files: Once the process is complete, go back to your mailbox window, and find the imported MBOX file in Local Folders. Now that the file(s) have been imported, you can open them up and move forward.

Disadvantages of the Manual Method

Although this process is relatively simple and free, there are detriments you will still face:

Time-Consuming: Manually importing MBOX files can take time, especially if you are importing a great deal of emails.

Technical Expertise: You have to understand how to use many elements of Thunderbird’s interface and system settings. Non-technical users may have challenges figuring this out.

No Direct Gmail Access: You will still have to set up your Gmail account in Thunderbird and drag the emails you want to use manually into your Gmail folders.

Possibility of Data Loss: There is always the possibility of losing work or having corrupted data, especially when importing quite a large amount of email all at once.

However, for users who do not want to go through such a long process, a professional tool is a better and more rapid choice.

Method 2: Import MBOX to Gmail right away Without Thunderbird

If you would rather bypass all of these problems and cumbersome systems, you may use professional tools such as BLR Tools MBOX File Converter. This professional tool is designed specifically to import MBOX files to GMAIL very literally and with no use of Thunderbird.  Also, in addition to simply importing MBOX files, it discounts many more great features that jump-start the speed and effectiveness of MBOX file conversion to the Gmail toolbox.

Has exceptional user experience, allowing for a fast process and minimal user engagement required.

Multiple MBOX Files Conversion: You can import multiple MBOX files at a time instead of performing a manual import for every single MBOX file.

No Need for Thunderbird: The tool can be installed and run independently without Thunderbird installed onto the machine if the user does not want to install it, unlike the way of manually importing heard earlier which would require Thunderbird to be installed.

Remove Duplicates: This tool offers a way of removing duplicate emails before importing, it will save time by limiting the total number of emails,

Preview Files: Like for any example, previewing emails and folders before conversion means that the correct folder data is imported.

Add Others Features: The new TOOL also supports advanced filters and customized headers for emails if you need this functionality.

Steps to Import MBOX to Gmail. How to use BLR Tools MBOX File Converter.

Download Tool: First, is to download the BLR Tools MBOX File Converter from the BLR Tools site. After downloading the tool follow the installation guide to install it onto your system.

Browse and Add File: Once the BLR Tools MBOX File Converter application is launched click on Browse so you can locate the MBOX file that you want to import from your system.

Select File: Once the MBOX file is found in the file system then the user can highlight/ focus on the file that restricted data the file is limited it and click on Open and it will load the MBOX file into the software application (BLR Tools MBOX File Converter)

Select Folders for Importing: The software will show the MBOX file by the total folder structure, then select the folders want to import into Gmail and click Next.

Select Gmail as Convert Destination: From the drop-down menu be sure to select Gmail as the destination. Select the Gmail Option as the destination email client for the mail importing.

Enter Gmail Login: Stand by where told, and enter your Gmail login - which is an email address and password needed for the application to be able to access your Gmail account.

Add Custom Settings: The software also includes some fun activities like the setting to remove duplicates or apply filters benefits of BLR MBOX File Converter.

The process was quick, meaning not to do much manual import work, and is very conducive for a large import to be processed sophisticatedly from only the software.

The structure of the software is notifying user-friendly

Also Read: How to Import Thunderbird MBOX Files to Zoho Mail: A Complete Tutorial

Free Demo Available

If you are not ready to buy this product, you can test out the free demo version of the software, which allows the conversion of a few emails. This enables an evaluation of the software before purchasing the full version.

Final Thoughts

We have discussed two different methods to import your MBOX files into Gmail: the manual route with Mozilla Thunderbird and using BLR Tools MBOX File Converter. The manual route is free but complicated and time-consuming depending on the size of the MBOX file and the user's level of expertise. Using BLR Tools MBOX File Converter is a quicker, easier, and more efficient way to import MBOX files, which avoids the use of Thunderbird.

If you do not wish to spend time troubleshooting and dealing with technical issues, the professional tool is recommended. The advanced features, security, and simplicity of BLR Tools MBOX File Converter make the process of importing MBOX files to Gmail a good choice.