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How to Import MBOX to IMAP Server? Best Methods

  author
Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On November 20th, 2025
Reading Time 7 Min Read

Overview: This article gives you a detailed process on how to import MBOX to IMAP Server. Here you will get proper information that includes reasons, understanding of MBOX format and IMAP server, manual methods, and a professional tool to complete this process easily. After reading this article, you will learn how to upload MBOX to IMAP server account by providing credentials.

Understanding MBOX and IMAP Server

MBOX is the most popular file format that is used to store multiple email files in a single file. It stores emails in an organized way and makes archiving easy. The MBOX file format is used by several email clients, such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Opera Mail, and many more. It stores information in plain text that can be easily shared across multiple platforms.

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, mainly used to manage email messages directly from the mail server. IMAP stores email data on the server and allows users to access it across multiple devices, such as a laptop, phone, or more. Moreover, IMAP provides the best flexibility and storage, which makes it ideal for users who need consistent access from different locations.

Reasons to Import MBOX to IMAP Server

There are several reasons why users import data from MBOX to IMAP server. Some common reasons are listed below:

  • It helps IT administrators or Businesses to manage email data across multiple platforms and for easy cloud access.
  • An IMAP server provides a cloud backup that helps to deal with legal compliance and reduces the risk of data loss.
  • The researcher keeps the email data online for easy data research and access across different email platforms.
  • It maintains data security, as MBOX stores data locally, whereas IMAP saves data online that can be accessed even in a system failure.
  • Saving the data on the IMAP server helps general users to archive important email data online for quick access.

How to Import MBOX to IMAP Server Manually?

Users can upload MBOX files to IMAP server accounts using the Thunderbird email client as a third-party application because it supports MBOX files and allows configuring IMAP-based email clients and services. And also, we will explore a method for Mac users.

Method 1: Using Thunderbird to Import MBOX to IMAP

In this method, we will use Thunderbird as a source to import MBOX files to IMAP server. Follow the following phases to complete this process.

#1: Import MBOX to Thunderbird

  1. Download Thunderbird on your system and configure it with a proper email account.
  2. After that, install the ImportExportTools add-ons.
  3. Refresh your Thunderbird account.
  4. Choose the “ALT” key and “Tools”
  5. Select the installed “ImportExportTools” add-on.
  6. After that, choose the “Import MBOX Files” option.
    import mbox to imap server
  7. Locate the path of your MBOX file and choose the “Open” icon.
    select location
  8. Finally, you will get your file here to import MBOX to IMAP Server.
    finish icon

#2: Configure Account in Thunderbird

Important Note: Create a new folder on your IMAP account before starting the process to upload MBOX to IMAP server.

  1. Restart your Thunderbird.
  2. Choose “Account Settings” from the “Tools” option.
    account setting
  3. After that, select the “Account Actions” button.
  4. And choose “Add Mail Account” from the drop-down.
    add mail account
  5. A screen will appear to ask for details like email address, full name, and password, and choose “Continue”.
    login details
  6. Select the “IMAP” and hit the “Done”.
    imap
  7. After all the information, click on the “Finish” icon.
    finish icon

#3: Steps to Import MBOX to IMAP Server

  1. Locate the uploaded MBOX file.
  2. Right click on it >> choose “Move To”
  3. Choose the connected IMAP account.
  4. And then, a previously created folder in the IMAP account.
  5. Log in to your IMAP account and verify your MBOX files.

Method 2: Upload MBOX to IMAP Server Using Apple Mail ( Mac OS )

  1. Open Apple Mail on your Mac system.
  2. Then, go to Mail >> Add account, add your IMAP account.
  3. After that, navigate to the “File” option >> Import Mailboxes and select MBOX files.
  4. Now, click continue and select the MBOX file data.
  5. Click Choose to import MBOX to Apple Mail.
  6. Further, select emails and drag the imported MBOX file data.
  7. Lastly, drop it into the IMAP Account folder, and they will automatically get transferred to your IMAP account.

Why Choose the Professional Method Over Manual Method?

  • Using the manual method may not preserve the data structure and formatting, as the professional method guarantees data integrity.
  • To perform the manual method user requires some technical knowledge that is not compatible with non-technical users.
  • It is difficult for large mailboxes to import MBOX to IMAP using the manual approaches, as it is time-consuming compared to a professional solution.
  • The manual method often fails when you are trying to import large files. However, an automated tool easily handles large files, such as attachments and large MBOX files.

Reliable Method to Import MBOX to IMAP Server

The RecoveryTools MBOX Converter Software is the right and reliable method to upload multiple MBOX files to IMAP server account. This software can safely and easily import all variations of MBOX files exported and downloaded from any email client or application.

With this software, there is no need to follow multiple steps or processes because it can directly import data without losing any information. It is the first preference of all experts and users to convert or import MBOX files into 30+ standard formats and email services.

How to Import MBOX Files to IMAP?

  1. Download and start the given solution on your system.
    download software
  2. Select the files and folders that you want to import and choose the “Next” icon.
    upload data
  3. Select any folder with subfolders that contains your emails, and again choose the “Next”.
    all folders
  4. Select the “IMAP” option from the “Select Saving Option”.
    choose imap
  5. After that, enter the credentials of your IMAP account.
    enter credentials
  6. Head to the “Filter Options” tab and enable filters and settings to import MBOX to IMAP Server selectively.
    import mbox to imap server
  7. After all settings, click on the “Convert” button to import MBOX to IMAP server account.
    start conversion

Professional Assistance: If you want our expert team to import MBOX to IMAP on your behalf. You can easily connect to our support team. In this, our support experts will remotely import or migrate your data. However, they will do the certified migration while maintaining data security.

Benefits of Using a Professional Tool

We have already shared the drawbacks of manual methods. Now, let’s come to the point because we should choose a paid tool over any method.

  • Multiple Settings: This software gives you multiple different settings to upload MBOX to IMAP server selectively by applying filters.
  • Different Languages: This tool gives you a Change Language option, which allows you to map your folders into Spanish, French, Dutch, German, English (Default), Finnish, etc.
  • Copy to Default Folders: If a user wants to import data directly into default folders, it means the same source folders. If you have not checked this option, your emails will be moved into newly created subfolders.
  • Compatible with All MBOX Files: Our solution is capable of converting or importing all types of MBOX files exported from Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Google Takeout, Entourage, etc.
  • Retains Original Elements and Hierarchy: The software maintains the original email components and folder structure during the process, including the email header, body, and attachments.

Conclusion

This blog has explained the possible methods to import MBOX to IMAP Server account with all details. Here we have used Thunderbird for a manual method with some setbacks, and a professional solution for experts with amazing features. If you have a large MBOX file of data that contains crucial information and don’t want to lose any data, then you should go for the paid tool to upload MBOX to IMAP server. If you have any queries related to this topic, then contact us through chat support.

For More Support: If you have any further queries about the software features, working, filters, or any other issues. You can simply contact our support team via live chat or email at [email protected]. Moreover, our experts will answer you shortly.