Best Ways to Extract Messages from IMAP Mailboxes in EML File

IMAP vs. EML

Feature	IMAP	EML
Storage	Stored on a remote mail server	Stored on a local device
Access	Accessed using an IMAP-compatible email client	Accessed using any text editor or email client
Portability	Portable, as long as you have an internet connection and an IMAP-compatible email client	Highly portable, as EML files can be easily transferred to any device
Archiving	It is suitable for archiving emails, as they are stored on a remote server and can be accessed from any device	It’s suitable for archiving emails, as EML files are self-contained and can be easily stored on any device
Sharing	It can be shared by forwarding the email message or attaching it to another email	It can be shared by attaching the EML file to another email or uploading it to a file-sharing service

Now, we will discuss reasons to extract messages from IMAP mailboxes in EML.

Why convert IMAP emails to EML?

Here are some reasons why users can export IMAP emails to EML:

• EML files are a portable and self-contained format that can be easily backed up to external storage devices or cloud services.
• This format can be imported into popular email clients, such as Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail.
• It can be used to archive your emails for long-term storage. So, it’s helpful to keep a copy of your emails for legal or compliance reasons.
• It can be easily shared with others by attaching them to emails or uploading them to file-sharing services. So, you can easily share individual emails or entire folders of emails with colleagues, friends, or family.

Now, let’s move toward the best and effortless solutions to export IMAP to EML format.

Ideal Three Solutions to Save IMAP Mailbox in EML Format

We will discuss three solutions to convert IMAP items to EML format for Windows and Mac users.

1. Migrate IMAP Mailbox in EML format on Window
2. Export Messages from IMAP Mailboxes in EML on Mac OS
3. Convert IMAP Server Mailboxes to EML on Windows & Mac

After understanding the step-by-step guides of all methods, you may choose any solution that suits you well.

Method 1: Migrate IMAP Mailbox in EML format on Windows.

In this method, we will use Thunderbird to convert IMAP emails to EML format.

1. Download and open the Thunderbird email client on your system.
2. Then, configure your IMAP account that you need to export to EML.
3. Now, choose the desired emails from the configured account.
4. After that, right-click on the chosen emails and select the Save option.
5. At last, set the destination to save the IMAP emails in EML files.

If the above method does not work for you, you can try the solution listed below to save the IMAP mailbox in EML format.

Method 2: Export Messages from IMAP Mailboxes in EML on Mac OS

In this method, we will use Apple Mail to extract messages from IMAP mailboxes in EML.

1. Open Apple Mail on your device.
2. Then, choose the desired IMAP emails.
3. Now, drag the IMAP emails to the new folder on the desktop.
4. Finally, your IMAP emails will be saved in EML format.

If you have a large amount of data and want to convert it at the same time, you must use the direct solution because the manual method has some limitations that are mentioned below.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

You can extract messages from IMAP mailboxes in EML using the manual method, but it has some limitations that are listed below.

1. This method can be long and tedious, especially if you have many emails to convert.
2. Even the most minor mistake can lead to data loss or corruption.
3. Manual methods may be unable to convert all types of IMAP emails, such as those with attachments or complex formatting.
4. It can be challenging for users without any technical knowledge or experience.

If you want to convert your IMAP data without risk, choose the automated, risk-free solution mentioned below.

Method 3: Convert IMAP Server Mailboxes to EML on Windows & Mac

In this method, we will use the IMAP Backup Tool to extract messages from IMAP mailboxes in EML in bulk. It provides various features and functions that make your tasks very easy. Also, it has a simple GUI, so whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can use this software easily without any difficulty. Now, let’s discuss the steps of the ideal solution.

1. Download and run the IMAP backup tool on your system.
2. Enter your ID and App password, then click on the Login button.
3. After that, preview and choose the emails from the tree structure, then click Next.
4. Now, choose the EML file format from the drop-down list and set the destination path to save the EML file, then click Next.
5. Finally, select the desired features that you wish, and then click Next.

Conclusion

We discussed three effective solutions to extract messages from IMAP mailboxes in EML. Both manual and professional methods can convert your IMAP emails to EML format. Still, the manual process has some limitations, so before using the manual solution, please go through these limitations first and then apply them to your important data. On the other hand, the professional method is a reliable and quick solution that can convert IMAP server mailboxes to EML with attachments. Moreover, it has no size restrictions for converting data from IMAP to EML. So, you can migrate your large data at the same time without losing it. Lastly, choose the risk-free solution to export your data safely.

Frequently Asked Questions