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Quickly Convert OLM to MBOX: Tried & Tested Methods
It is easier to convert OLM to MBOX than you might have thought. To extract OLM emails as MBOX for free you can use the drag-and-drop method in Legacy Outlook for Mac. Or you can also use a dedicated OLM to MBOX converter for Windows or Mac when it comes to dealing with OLM files in bulk or for direct conversion without MS Outlook for Mac application. The guide covers step-by-step instructions to convert archival files -OLM to MBOX for easier access without Outlook for Mac in email clients like Apple Mail, Thunderbird, etc.
Key Drawback of Converting OLM Files to MBOX
MBOX stores email messages only. The contacts, calendars, tasks and notes in your OLM file do not go into MBOX, hence it is suggested to save them separately when converting. Since MBOX is an open-source file format many of the MAPI-specific properties will also be lost during conversion.
Choose the Suitable Method to Convert OLM to MBOX Format
| Factor | Free Method Using Outlook for Mac | Using RecoveryTools OLM to MBOX Converter |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable For | Limited Emails | Simultaneous bulk conversion of all emails from OLM files to MBOX |
| Platform Dependency | Need Mac device, Outlook for Mac and another MBOX supporting email client | None – Standalone tool works on all Mac & Windows devices |
| Time Taken | Relatively higher due to setup | Faster conversion with concurrency algorithms |
| Cost | Free | Free trial available for up to 25 emails per folder. Full Version starts at $39 |
Note: The output contains the same mailbox data whether you use the free method or the converter. Depending on the method or tool, each folder may appear as a file with the .mbox extension, as a file with no extension at all, or inside a folder that contains the MBOX file
Free-Manual Way to Export OLM Emails in MBOX Format Using Outlook for Mac
Important: This free manual solution to convert OLM to MBOX does not work with New Outlook for Mac – you are required to switch to Outlook for Mac Legacy. To do so simply Turn Off the “New Outlook” toggle.
Phase 1: Import OLM file in Email Client
- Firstly, open Outlook for Mac 2021/2019/2016.
- Click on the Tools tab from the menu.
- After that, choose Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) and proceed to the next window.
- Then, browse and select the OLM file from your Mac system.
- Finally, click the Import button.
- Wait for the OLM file items to appear in the “On My Computer” section of your Mac Outlook application.
Phase 2: Export MBOX file from Email Client
- Verify that the OLM items are present in Mac Outlook.
- Afterward, drag and drop the mailbox from Outlook to your desktop.
- It will create an MBOX file on your desktop.
- Finally, you can access OLM data in this MBOX file.
As you can see, the manual method to convert OLM file to MBOX is easy. However, there are a few points that make users look for other solutions. These are:
- Unavailability of Outlook for Mac application.
- Unavailability of Mac system.
- Batch processing of multiple OLM files is not possible.
In such cases, simply use the OLM to MBOX Converter provided below to get the job done.
RecoveryTools OLM to MBOX Converter – Secure Tool for Direct Conversion
RecoveryTools OLM Converter is a desktop-based software application to convert large, orphaned or corrupted OLM files to MBOX without Outlook for Mac application on Mac & Windows devices in a secure offline way while retaining all email properties.
Try out the free version of RecoveryTools OLM File to MBOX Converter Wizard to save 25 emails from OLM to MBOX per folder.
Convert OLM to MBOX in 5 Simple Steps with RecoveryTools Solution
- Install and launch OLM to MBOX File Converter Tool.
- Select OLM Files or Folders to be converted.
- Checkbox the folders under OLM files to be saved in MBOX format.
- Choose “MBOX” as the saving option.
- Press “Convert”.
Advantages of Using RecoveryTools OLM to MBOX Converter | Key Features
- RecoveryTools OLM to MBOX Migrator converts complete folders, including Inbox, Drafts, Sent Items and custom folders, from multiple large OLM files to MBOX in one pass.
- Export OLM emails to MBOX with Zero Data Loss:
- Preserves email attachments, inline images and hyperlinks.
- Folder and subfolder hierarchy is preserved identically.
- HTML & RTF formatting and signature.
- Convert OLM to MBOX with complete header & metadata -CC/BCC, Timestamps, Read/Unread Status, Flags etc.
- Convert targeted emails from OLM files to MBOX with advanced filters like – Date Range, Sender & Receivers address and Subject. The granular conversion of RecoveryTools OLM to MBOX converter lets you exclude emails from folders like – Spam, Trash, Newsletters or Draft.
- Standalone tool that lets you convert OLM files to MBOX without Outlook Legacy (support ending in October 2026).
- End-to-End security guaranteed when converting OLM files to MBOX with the read-only offline processing. Your input file is not altered or uploaded to an external server during conversion.
- Convert OLM to MBOX with the “Recovery Mode” option of the tool and turn the inaccessible OLM data into healthy MBOX to be configured in the email clients.
- Track the items converted from OLM to MBOX via the “Live Status” progress report and audit with auto-generated SavingLog.txt.
Tip: You can also use the above tool to convert OLM contacts to vCard and convert OLM calendar to ICS to preserve contacts & calendar during conversion.
Read Here to Access OLM Files Converted to MBOX in Other Email Client
Understanding OLM and MBOX Files | Key Differences
| Feature | OLM | MBOX |
|---|---|---|
| Intro | Proprietary Outlook for Mac archive file | Open source mailbox format |
| File extension | .olm | .mbox, or no extension |
| Data Stored | Emails, calendar events, contacts, tasks and notes | Email messages and encoded attachments only |
| Accessible In | Outlook for Mac Only | Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, SeaMonkey Mail or Claws Mail |
| Usage | Backup and Archival | Migration & Import |
Real Life Need to Convert OLM to MBOX File
- An OLM can only be accessed in Outlook for Mac application. Converting them to MBOX makes it accessible on Windows with supported email clients.
- Migration from Outlook for Mac to Thunderbird, Eudora, SeaMonkey Mail, Claws Mail or any other MBOX supporting email client.
- Legacy Outlook for Mac can access OLM files only, and converting .olm files to .mbox keeps the data accessible.
- OLM files over the longer duration are susceptible to corruption while MBOX where encoded data is stored in plain-text format is better immune. Thus is a more reliable format to create a universal archive.
FAQs: Convert OLM Files to MBOX
Q: Will the converted MBOX file created from OLM be supported by Thunderbird?
Yes, Thunderbird can read the MBOX files created from an OLM file created using either of the methods mentioned above.
Q: Do I mandatorily need Outlook to convert OLM to MBOX?
No, if you do not have Outlook for Mac you can use the RecoveryTools dedicated converter.
