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How to Directly Export IMAP to EML Format: 2 Easy Methods

  author
Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On October 21st, 2026
Reading Time 7 Min Read

Want to export IMAP emails to EML format? Users can download IMAP emails in EML format by clicking on email and selecting Export or Download Message as option. If you have multiple IMAP emails or IMAP server account mailboxes, then use email client such as Thunderbird or Apple Mail. Thunderbird provides option to export emails in EML format. So, in this blog, users will learn simple techniques to export IMAP to EML. Users can also find professional solution to export IMAP emails to EML in batches.

IMAP is protocol used to access, retrieve, & sync emails stored on email server. Many email services have their own servers that store your personal email database. To access database on your local machine, we need protocol called IMAP. On the other hand, EML file is most popular email saving format, which can be easily opened in MS Outlook, Thunderbird, eM Client, etc without requiring internet connection. This is why most users want to know how to export IMAP to EML format.

Why Export IMAP to EML? Primary Reasons

IMAP requires active internet connection to access IMAP mailboxes, folders, emails, or attachments. EML files can easily open with any email client without requiring internet connection. Let’s learn more reasons to backup IMAP emails into EML format.

  • Protect IMAP emails in EML format if your email service provider shuts down its service, goes out of business, or deleted account because of inactivity.
  • EML files can easily open in mobile applications and all major desktop email clients without any compatibility issues.
  • If IMAP account hits storage limits, then saving IMAP emails into EML is better option than losing them.
  • Saving IMAP cloud mailbox emails in EML format also saves email data from corruption & accidental deletion.
  • EML files preserve complete raw RFC 822/5322 structure of email. They can be used for legal e-discovery & forensic analysis.
  • Users don’t need to expose their entire mailbox to share email once they backup IMAP emails into EML format.

Things to Do Before Exporting IMAP Emails to EML

Before exporting IMAP emails to EML format, let’s look at some essential requirements to complete export process.

  • Good internet connection to sync messages with IMAP server.
  • Check mailboxes, emails, attachments, & folder sizes before starting process.
  • Verify IMAP emails have attachments or not.
  • Create backup of important IMAP emails.
  • Delete empty, trash & spam emails from IMAP.
  • Clean SSD or Hard drive to save incoming EML files.
  • Check that email dates, sender details, & recipients are correct.
  • Test migration method with few IMAP emails.

IMAP Settings

Setting Value
Incoming Server Hostname According to your email provider
IMAP Port 993
Security SSL/TLS
Authentication Method OAuth or normal password
Username Full email address
Outgoing mail protocol SMTP
SMTP Port 465 or 587
SMTP Security SSL/TLS or (STARTTLS)

How to Freely Convert IMAP Emails to EML Format?

Users can use Mozilla Thunderbird, which provides “ImportExportTools NG” extension that directly exports emails in EML format. Let’s check step-by-step guide to complete process.

  1. Download Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer.
  2. Add your IMAP account in Thunderbird.
  3. Allow Thunderbird to sync IMAP folders & messages.
  4. Once synced, add “ImportExportTools NG” extension.
    ImportExportTools NG
  5. Restart Thunderbird.
    restart thunderbird
  6. Select few emails & right-click>> go to Export All Messages As.
  7. Now select “EML Message Format” option.
    export thunderbird emails as eml
  8. Save IMAP email in EML format.
  9. To verify exported right click on EML file.
  10. Open with Outlook or any other email client.

Cons of Free Method

Free methods are fantastic to export IMAP emails into EML format. Nevertheless, they have limitations too. Let’s check them below:-

  • Thunderbird can freeze or slow down if you choose large IMAP mailboxes.
  • Users get messy folders with scattered EML emails.
  • This method depends on Thunderbird ImportExportTools NG.
  • No filter option to save IMAP email in EML with different criteria, such as sender, subject, or date.
  • Multiple steps to complete IMAP-to-EML export process.

Instant Solution to Export IMAP to EML Format

Download RecoveryTools IMAP Backup Tool, which directly exports emails from IMAP to EML format. Users can download or install this product on their Windows and Mac computers. This application keeps hierarchy of IMAP account folders during export process. It works with every popular email service like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, Exchange Server, Dovecot, Dedicated Server, etc. A batch mode feature also available which help users to download multiple IMAP account mailboxes into EML format in single time. It also reduces repetitive processes and saves users time.

With advanced filter options, users can filter emails by date, sender, subject, or size. With this utility, users also get incremental backup option that only saves users’ new emails if they already use this application to export IMAP emails to EML.

Free Edition: A free trial version of this application that allows you to download 25 emails from IMAP in EML format. For complete mailbox conversion, you must purchase a licensed key for this product.

Step-by-Step Guide to Convert IMAP Account Emails to EML

  1. Download RecoveryTools IMAP to EML Export Tool on your computer.
    run imap to eml export tool
  2. Launch application & enter IMAP account details.
    enter imap credentials
  3. Once logged in, choose required email folders from the list.
    select required folders
  4. In file saving options, choose EML option.
    choose eml as saving option
  5. After that, select resultant location to save resultant data at user location.
    change destination path
  6. Click the Next button to export IMAP to EML format.
    export imap to eml
  7. When process is complete, this application informs you with pop-up message.
    finish imap to eml export process

Features & Benefits in Software Solution

  • Complete Secure User Interface Panel: The program provides risk-free solution that never stores your personal information inside the user interface. It is a professional application tested by many organizational users.
  • Export Data from any IMAP Account: The software requires only IMAP account details to access your email account. Users can easily export local IMAP server emails to EML format without any issues.
  • Bulk Export Process: The software provides another advanced feature for its users to download multiple IMAP accounts to EML at once. Just create CSV file & create account details database. Once created, upload it in the user interface to export IMAP accounts emails to EML.
  • Keep Email Properties & Structure: The program keeps all email properties and folder structure. It preserves all email elements such as emails with attachments, email addresses (to, cc, bcc, from), email subject, date & time, etc.
    filter options
  • Works With Windows & Mac Computers: The software supports all Windows & Mac computers. Users can choose any computer, whether it’s Mac or Windows, to complete IMAP to EML export process.

Common Asked Queries

How to Convert IMAP to EML File in Bulk?

Follow the given step-by-step procedure:

  1. Install or launch the IMAP to EML utility.
  2. Connect to the IMAP account and select folders.
  3. Choose EML option in the list of saving options.
  4. Set location path or choose filter options.
  5. Click Next to export IMAP emails to EML format.

Can I install this application on my Windows Server 2016 machine?

Yes, the software supports all editions of Microsoft Windows Server machines without any issues.

Does the software keep email properties during the process?

Yes, the software maintains your email properties during the IMAP to EML Migration process.

Can I test this application before purchasing it?

Sure, you can download the trial edition of this application to export only 25 emails from IMAP to EML format.

Can I download selected IMAP Folders to EML format?

Yes, in the user interface, you can select the desired folders before starting the conversion process.

Wrap Up

In this article, we have explained two complete methods to export IMAP to EML format. First method is completely free which required Thunderbird installation & IMAP syncs. Here, we used the RecoveryTools IMAP to EML Export Tool to get individual EML files from IMAP Server. After completing the process, users can easily use and import exported EML files into multiple email client applications. If you still face any problems, then contact RecoveryTools on live support chat.

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