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How to Import EML to IMAP Server Directly? Complete Guide

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Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On July 8th, 2025
Reading Time 7 Min Read

Overview: Are you also looking for methods to import EML to IMAP Server? If yes, then you are on the right page. Here we are going to explain one of the best step-by-step guides to upload EML to IMAP account.

There are multiple situations comes when users want to import their EML files to the IMAP server, but due to technicalities, they don’t know the right path, especially in non-technical users’ cases. But don’t worry, today in this write we will mention all the possible and easiest ways to export EML to IMAP Server. So that all types of users can import EML to IMAP server easily.

EML file format stands for electronic mail, which is used by multiple desktop-based email clients. And we all know that EML file store only a single email with preserved header and body details. And IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, which is a protocol used by multiple email clients and services to open email messages from the mail server example: Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo, etc.

Before starting the process, let’s have a look at the user’s situation and why they want to import EML to IMAP server.

“Hello there, I am a manager in an IT company, and I have some EML files around 1000+ which are exported from the Thunderbird account which we have used previously. But due to some reasons now we have started using Outlook.com and I have to upload those EML files into the Outlook.com account. But I don’t know the right way, could you please suggest some solutions and methods?”

Advantages of Importing EML Files to IMAP Server

  • Accessibility: After uploading your EML files to IMAP server, you can access your EML data from anywhere. It becomes more accessible.
  • Cloud-Based Backup: IMAP stores a bunch of emails on a remote server, which is also considered secure.
  • Improved Organization: You can easily manage your emails after you export EML to IMAP Server.
  • Independence: IMAP is an independent platform, and does not restrict you to use any of the email clients that supports your file.
  • Preserves Originality: This process preserves the originality of your data. You data will be intact and the same after the process as well.

Using Thunderbird to Import EML to IMAP Server

  1. First of all, go to Tools, then Account Settings and then click on the Add Mail Account option.
  2. Now, enter your IMAP email credentials to login.
  3. Then, install ImportExportTools NG add-on.
  4. Now, right click on your desired IMAP folder.
  5. To import all the messages, click on ImportExportTools NG.
  6. Lastly, browse and select your EML files to upload them directly into Thunderbird and make it sync with the IMAP server.

Using Windows Live Mail to Import EML to IMAP Server

  1. Firstly, open Windows Live Mail on your system to export EML to IMAP Server.
  2. Now, drag & drop your EML file in a local folder of WLM.
  3. Make sure to configure your imported account from the folder to IMAP folder.
  4. Lastly, all your EML files will start syncing with your IMAP server.

Important Points to be Noted

  • These mentioned methods are very time-consuming.
  • They can be challenging and confusing for non-technical users.
  • You may lose your files while transferring them.
  • You may face multiple types of errors while performing the process.

How to Upload Multiple EML Files to IMAP Server?

There are no manual methods available to accomplish this task, so here we are going to use EML Converter by RecoveryTools. The software is highly recommended and one of the best tools in the market, which can easily import EML to IMAP server directly. You will get multiple software in the market, but we are choosing RecoveryTools because it has end number of features and capabilities. Also, the tool comes with a free demo version that allows users to import only 25 emails. So that users can check and analyze the software’s performance and features. The software comes with has a very simple and easy-to-use interface. That makes the software easy to use and friendly for all technical and non-technical users. To know more about the software you can read the mentioned features or check out the mentioned page.

Working Steps to Import EML to IMAP Server Directly

  1. Download the tool using the Download button and install it on your system.
    install to import eml to imap server

  2. Choose EML from the source list and add the EML files and folders using Select Files and Select Folders options.
    upload data to import eml to imap server
  3. All the folders and subfolders will appear on the panel, check and uncheck the required folders.
    preview to import eml to imap server
  4. Choose the IMAP server from the Select Saving List dropdown.
    import eml to imap server
  5. Apply the advanced filter option to import specific emails by clicking on the “Filter Options” tab.
    advanced filter option
  6. Choose File Naming Option and Destination folder for your resultant data.
    location path
  7. Lastly, hit the Next button to import EML to IMAP server.
    conversion complete

If successful your all EML file will be uploaded to the IMAP server account. Let’s have an eye on the software features.

Prime and Advanced Features of the Software

  • Dual options to add single or multiple EML files and folders using Select Files and Select Folders options.
  • After uploading all the EML files, all the data will be shown on the panel where users can check the required data according to need which saves time and energy.
  • The advanced filter option allows users to import specific and particular emails via Date Range, To, From, Subject, etc.
  • The software preserves the original folder hierarchy and email attributes including Bcc, Cc, To, From, Subject, Title, Date, Formatting, Image, Signature, Font, Colour, etc.
  • The change Language option allows users to map folders into different languages including English (Default), French, Spanish, German, Italian, Finnish, Norwegian, etc.

You can also use an alternate solution to Export EML to IMAP Server. RecoveryTools Cloud Restore Software is another best and reliable solution to complete this process effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can this software import EML files exported from a Windows Live Mail account to the IMAP server?

    Yes, this tool supports all types of EML files exported from any email client including Thunderbird, Gmail, Apple Mail, Entourage, Incredible, etc.

  2. Can I download the software on my Mac machine?

    Yes, our software is available for both Mac and Windows OS, you have to download the tool using the Mac button.

  3. Is there any file size limit to upload multiple EML files?

    No, there are no limits to upload EML files to IMAP server, you can add a folder that contains multiple EML single files.

  4. I am from Spain and I don’t know much English, so can I install the software in the Spanish language?

    Users can install the software in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, etc.

Also Read:
How to Import EML Files to Gmail?
How to Import EML Files to Exchange Server?
How to Import EML to Yahoo Mail?
How to Import EML Files to Microsoft 365?

Time to Say Goodbye

Here we have explained one of the best and most direct options to import EML to IMAP server using an expert solution by RecoveryTools. Because there are no manual methods available. The software comes with high-level and advanced features and filters, which makes the tool more usable and unique for users. One of the best parts of this software is that it comes with the free demo version, which allows users to upload only 25 emails so that users can analyze the performance. We have tried to provide all the information, and hope to find the article helpful.