How to Convert MBOX to Text Format? Complete Guide

Published By Jamie Kaler

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On November 19th, 2025

Reading Time 9 Min Read

Overview: This write-up describes the most efficient methods to convert MBOX to TXT format that including manual methods and a professional way to convert data without any errors. Additionally, this blog includes specific concerns of users and how easily users can convert MBOX files to Text format. Read this blog till the end to clear all the queries and complete the conversion process successfully.

Are you one of those who are looking for a solution to convert MBOX to Text format? If yes, then read this article. The whole conversion process is basically a simple task. Some email clients allow users to preserve email messages in Text format. On the other hand, most of the email client saves their mailbox data as MBOX files, including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Google Takeout, SeaMonkey, and others. However, this article will cover all possible methods, so you can choose the most suitable approach according to your needs.

What is a Text File?

A text file is a computer file that contains plain and understandable text with no special formatting. It can be easily opened and viewed on any device using a text editor, such as Notepad, and many more. The text file does not support any special characters, fonts, colours, images, or tables. Additionally, it is a lightweight file format that only contains text and uses less space as compared to other file extensions. The text file uses .txt as the most common file extension. However, a text file has an easy-to-understand interface as compared to the MBOX file format. You can convert MBOX to TXT file format for an easy workflow.

Reasons to Convert MBOX to TXT

Some of the common reasons why users search for a method to convert MBOX to TXT file format:

TXT files are easily accessible without any internet connection or application. Usually, individuals who want to read or open their MBOX files in a compatible file format need to convert MBOX files to TXT.
Converting MBOX to TXT format helps data analysts to analyse the email text more efficiently. It simplifies tasks such as keyword extraction and more.
A researcher can easily access and read the text file as compared to another complex file format.
TXT files are compatible with forensic tools and help cyber security professionals to review and analyse the documents quickly.

How to Convert MBOX to TXT Format Manually?

There are several manual methods to convert MBOX files to Text format. However, some of its tested solutions are mentioned below.

Method 1: Using Thunderbird to Convert MBOX to TXT

In this method, user are required to download the Thunderbird application on their systems and install the ImportExportTools NG add-on. A step-by-step procedure to convert MBOX files to Text:

Install the Thunderbird email client on your device.
Add an email account to your Thunderbird.
Now, go to Tools >> Add-ons and Themes >> search for ImportExportTools NG and install it.
Next, import MBOX to Thunderbird account.
Right-click on the uploaded MBOX file.
From the drop-down menu, choose the Save As option.
Then, select “Save as Text file”.
Choose the specific location to save the file.
Lastly, click on Save to convert MBOX to TXT.

Limitation: To use this method, users are required to install the Thunderbird application and add-ons to convert MBOX to Text completely. Moreover, users need to repeat the same process for each email, because they can’t convert multiple MBOX files to TXT format in bulk at the same time.

Method 2: Using Apple Mail

This method helps Mac users store MBOX files as TXT format. Users need to import the MBOX file from Apple Mail and then save it as a text file format. The steps for the same are as follows:

Install Apple Mail on your Mac system.
Navigate to the file option and click on the “Import Mailbox”.
Then, select the MBOX files from your device.
After completing the import MBOX to Apple Mail, select a specific MBOX file.
Now, click on the file >> Save As option.
Select the “Plain Text File” option.
Lastly, select the specific location and click Save to convert MBOX to TXT.

Note: For this method, users require Apple Mail on their devices. Plus, users need to use the same steps for each MBOX file which makes it complex and increases the risk of errors.

Limitations of Using Manual Methods

There are multiple drawbacks to using manual approaches that make the process difficult, that why users shift to a professional method to convert MBOX to Text. Some of the common restrictions are listed below:

Manual methods are not compatible with large mailboxes, they may freeze during the conversion process as compared to a professional tool.
Some of the MBOX files may not be converted properly with entire data using a manual method, whereas using a professional method, users can convert MBOX to TXT with entire data.
Users are required to repeat the process to convert multiple files, as the manual method does not support bulk conversion.
The manual method may require some technical knowledge and may be a complex task for non-technical users.
Manual approaches are time-consuming and require multiple steps to complete the process as compared to a professional solution.

A Professional Solution – MBOX to Text Converter

RecoveryTools MBOX Converter Tool is one of the best applications that provides multiple file-saving options. Using this application, you can easily convert MBOX to Text, RTF, and DOC document formats.

You can also use this application on your Windows and Mac computers. It provides a simple and easy-to-use interface panel for all types of users. Download the software on your computer.

Note: The company provides a demo edition of this application to export only a few emails from MBOX to Text format. For complete mailbox items, purchase the software key.

Download Now Purchase Now

How to Convert MBOX to TXT for Notepad? Complete Guide

Firstly, download the tool on your Windows and Mac computers, launch the software on your device, and click Next.
After that, click on the select file or folders option accordingly and choose the MBOX files you want to convert.
Then, recheck the selected MBOX file data in the preview panel and uncheck the files you do not want to save in TXT format.
Now, click on the Next button and choose the TXT from the drop-down menu to convert MBOX to Text format.
Also, you can choose the filter options for the selective MBOX email conversion process.
After that, set the destination location path to save the resultant data at a specific location.
Thereafter, click on the Convert button to convert MBOX to Text format.

Professional Assistance: Are you facing a problem in converting MBOX to Text using the above-discussed utility? Then you can use our conversion services. In this, our in-house development team will remotely convert or migrate the files as your representative. Moreover, it ensures to completion of the process with safety, while maintaining the data integrity. However, our team will provide the certificate for the same.

MBOX to Text Converter – Features & Benefits

Batch Convert MBOX to Text: The MBOX to Text Converter tool provides dual selection options. These options are used to choose single as well as multiple MBOX files at once. The select folder option allows you to choose multiple MBOX files from a whole folder in the user interface.
Preserved Data: MBOX to TXT Converter provides the best ways to convert emails to Text format. It converts MBOX emails to TXT format in a seamless way while keeping all email items. It preserves email header information, email addresses (to, cc, bcc, from), email subject, etc.
Different File Naming Options: The software comes with multiple file convention options, which are helpful to manage data easily. Using these filter options, you can easily arrange resultant TXT files in a proper name. You can rename your resultant file by email subject, email address, date, and auto-numbers, etc.
Multiple Filter Options for Selective Migration: The software comes with multiple additional options that are used for the selective email conversion process. Using these options, you can easily export MBOX emails by name, email address, by to and from address, etc.
Simple and Consistent User Interface Panel: The software provides a simple and consistent user interface panel for all types of users. Non-technical users can easily use this application without taking any guidance to convert MBOX to Text.
Windows and Mac Supportable Program: The software supports all editions of Microsoft Windows as well as Mac operating systems. You can install this application on macOS X editions such as 10.15, 10.14, 10.13, etc. as well as Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, as well as Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, etc.

Commonly Asked User Queries

Q1. Why would I convert MBOX to Text?
Ans. Text files are easy to read, view and open as compared to MBOX files. It is helpful to convert MBOX to Text for better data management.

Q2. How can I convert MBOX to TXT manually?
Ans. Using Thunderbird or Apple Mail, you can save MBOX files as Text, but using the manual method can be a time-consuming and complex task as compared to the professional method.

Q3. How do I convert multiple MBOX files at once?
Ans. You can easily convert MBOX file data at once while maintaining the data structure and file formatting. Firstly, download the above-mentioned tool, then select the MBOX files, choose the TXT file format, apply the filters, at last select the destination and tap on the convert button.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained the complete process to convert MBOX to Text format. If you are one of those who want to open MBOX file in Notepad, download the software on your computer. This application comes with dual editions for Mac and Windows.

You can easily download the software by clicking on the above download button. The company provides a free demo edition to test the software process before purchase. You can also contact the support team if you have any doubts.

Support Service: If you have any queries about the software working, features, filters, or pricing, you can directly contact our support team through email at [email protected] or go for the live chat option. Our team will shortly respond to you or schedule a meeting to resolve the issue.