How to Migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail? Expert Solutions

  

Published By Jamie Kaler 

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On February 20th, 2026

Reading Time 8 Min Read

Overview: In this guide, we will walk through the solutions to migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail. This includes the reasons, manual solution, and a professional method to migrate Thunderbird data to Mac Mail efficiently. Moreover, you will get solutions to your query so that you can choose one according to your needs. Hence, read this blog till the end for more information and an appropriate solution.

Migrating emails is never just about moving messages, it is about protecting years of personal and professional communications, attachments, and several records. Many users decide to migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail when switching from Windows or Linux to macOS or when they want to a more native, streamlined email experience.

While Thunderbird is a powerful and flexible email client, Apple Mail integrates deeply with macOS, that offers better synchronization, spotlist search and system-level security.

Reasons to Migrate Thunderbird to Mac Mail

• Users who need to move from Windows to the Apple ecosystem, wants to import Thunderbird to Apple Mail for a smooth integration.
• Sometimes, Mac users insta, and use Thunderbird as the email client, but later on want to switch to the native application.
• Several businesses uses Mac systems and need tp move their Thunderbird data to Apple Mail for a smooth workflow and data management.
• Technical users who want the privacy protection advantages of the Apple Mail want to increase the functionality across multiple Mac services.
• Some general users search due to issue with Thunderbird performance or syncing issue, cam easily use the Apple Mail features.

Manual Method to Migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail

Users can import data from Thunderbird to Apple Mail manually by using the ImportExportTools add-on in Thunderbird. In this, users need to follow two different phases. Firstly, they want to export Thunderbird emails and then import them to Apple Mail. Follow the following phases to transfer Thunderbird to Apple Mail without any hassle.

Phase 1: Export From Thunderbird

1. Firstly, open Thunderbird on your device.
2. Navigate to Tools and select the Add-ons and Themes option.
3. Now, search the ImportExportTools NG and install the ImportExportTools NG by clicking Add to Thunderbird.
4. Next, right-click on the email folder and press ImportExportTools.
5. Further, choose the Folder Export >> As MBOX file and browse the location to save the resultant files.
6. Lastly, to export Thunderbird emails to MBOX, click on Select Folder.

Phase 2: Import MBOX files to Apple Mail

1. Now, open Apple Mail on your system.
   
2. Then, go to File and choose the Import Mailboxes option.
   
3. From the Import Data From window, choose the files in MBOX format and click Continue.
   
4. Select the saved MBOX files.
   
5. Lastly, click Done to complete the process.
   

Note: Using this method, you can migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail without any cost, but it comes with several limitations and does not provide any guarantee for data security. If you want a seamless process, you can use the automated solution.

Drawbacks of Using the Manual Method

• This process can be time-consuming for users who need to import multiple Thunderbird files to Apple Mail.
• It may require some technical knowledge and not compatible solution for non-technical users.
• Do not ensure to import data with the entire email particulars, such as attachments, email body, and more.
• Using Manual Methods, users may have a risk of data loss or email items, such as Flags, tags, or many more.
• The manual method does not support bulk transfer. Hence, users are required to export folders individually and import them into Apple Mail.

Complete Steps to Migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail

1. Install & Run the mentioned migration tool and read all the instructions mentioned there.
   
2. Load Thunderbird Mailbox items manually from Folders / Files or automatically detected from configured Thunderbird Profile Path.
   
3. The software will provide users with a preview of Thunderbird folders. Select all or only the desired email folders for the conversion.
   
4. Then, choose the MBOX option from the list of 25+ select saving options list.
   
5. If you want to import only selective emails, then you can apply the advanced filter option from Filter Options tab.
   
6. After that, browse the location to save the converted file to import Thunderbird to Apple Mail.
   
7. Lastly, click on the “Convert” icon to start the Thunderbird to Apple Mail conversion.
   

How to Import Resultant Files to Mac Mail?

1. Open Apple Mail on your device.
2. And then click on the File tab >> and choose the option “Import Mailboxes”.
3. Now enable the “Files in MBOX format” option.
4. And then select the converted MBOX file from your device and click on the Continue icon.

Professional Support: In case you are not able to migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail by using the automated software, you can go for our remote migration services or contact our support team. In this, our expert team will do the certified migration process remotely on your behalf while maintaining the data privacy and security.

Thunderbird to Mac Mail Migration Tool – Major Features

• Dual Method to Load Thunderbird Mailbox Files: The tool is capable of loading the data directly from the Thunderbird account. Also, users can upload the Thunderbird profile data manually by “select files” and “select folder” options to migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail.
• Batch Migrate Thunderbird Folders & Emails: Also, it allows users to migrate the entire Thunderbird profile data, including files, folders, and mailboxes. The data, when migrated, will not lead to any kind of loss of data and will manage the entire data.
• Preserve Email Metadata & Properties: It successfully imports emails to Apple Mail exactly with the original email metadata, Properties, and attachments. The details and other remaining properties of the emails, such as To, Cc, Bcc, Message body, Date, Hyperlinks, Attachments, etc., into the original format.
• Windows & Mac Compatible Solution: Moreover, the software is fully compatible with all the latest Windows OS laptops and other devices. Also, there is no requirement for Mac OS to import the files to Apple Mail. This migration tool can easily run on Windows 11 and older versions. You can also use it on all Mac OS X editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I import Thunderbird emails to Apple Mail directly?
Ans: No, you cannot migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail directly. For the import process, you need to export emails from Thunderbird and then import them into Apple Mail. However, if you want faster results, you can opt for the above-mentioned automated migrator.

Q2: Does Apple Mail support the MBOX files exported from Thunderbird?
Ans: Yes, Apple Mail supports the MBOX files and can easily import them. Moreover, for the import process, you can use Thunderbird built-in option to export the files and then import them correctly into Apple Mail.

Q3: Do I need to install any add-ons in Thunderbird for the process?
Ans: Yes, to migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail, you are required to install the ImportExportTools NG add-on, as Thunderbird does not provide any default settings to export data.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, we have described all of the procedures required to migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail utilizing the most well-known and dependable way. Both the free as well as the professional are better to use, but it all depends on you. Just continue with the solution that meets the needs and requirements of the users. In fact, we recommend you use the mentioned Migration tool and complete the task as soon as possible.