Blog 
+1 7025533020 
How to Directly Import OLM to IMAP? Secure Zero Loss Ways
OLM Data VS IMAP Server Data Storage
| Functionalities | OLM | IMAP Server |
|---|---|---|
| What Is It? | Local Stored Outlook for Mac Data | Live Mailbox Hosted in Cloud Server Accessed by IMAP Protocol |
| Items Stored | Email, Contacts, Calendar Items, Tasks and Notes | Emails, Attachments and Metadata |
| Accessibility | Offline via Legacy Outlook for Mac | Anywhere Mac, Windows & Even Mobile via IMAP ID and Password |
| Data Security & Protection | Low – Prone to Local Malware Attack and Overtime Corruption | Requires Authentication and Strict Phishing & Spam Filters |
| Size Limits | Based on Local Storage Space | IMAP Account Quota |
Key Reasons to Transfer OLM Data to an IMAP Account
User Query: “I have around 3 OLM files around 25 GB each from my macOS Mojave Outlook, been trying to import them into my locally hosted IMAP account – my Outlook keeps failing to import them? What is the issue and how do I upload OLM to IMAP so I can manage it via the web.”
An OLM file from an old Mac, a departed employee, or a backup cannot be accessed directly in Outlook Legacy for Mac and needs to be restored into an IMAP server account for reasons like:
- Continued Accessibility: Legacy Outlook for macOS is ending support, making it hard to access OLM files. Uploading OLM to an IMAP server keeps them accessible across multiple devices directly via the web or any other email client.
- Centralized Archiving: Importing OLM files into an IMAP server’s dedicated archival mailbox makes them available for retention and eDiscovery and centralizes the data.
- Email Migration: People switching from Outlook for Mac OLM to Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, Zoho, or hosted business mail need their older emails in the new mailbox, not only new mail.
Important Note: Because IMAP handles mail only, importing an OLM file to IMAP moves the emails and their folders. Contacts and calendar items need separate formats and a different route.
Method 1: Import OLM to IMAP via Manual Drag-and-Drop in Outlook for Mac
Note: New Outlook for Mac did not offer OLM import. Use the toggle “Off” option on the top right to access Outlook Legacy.
- Open Outlook Legacy for Mac.
- Go to the Tools tab >> choose Import and select Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) and press Continue.
- Browse for the OLM file on your Mac device.
- Add your IMAP account to Outlook for Mac: Go to Tools >> Preferences > Accounts.
- Enter the email address, password, and IMAP server details.
- Make sure your IMAP account is synced in the Outlook profile where you opened the OLM file.
- Drag folders from On My Computer into the IMAP account.
Suggestion: You can create separate folders for OLM data in the IMAP account for an organized output.
Limitation:
- Strict dependency on Outlook for Mac and Mac devices.
- Time-consuming for larger mailboxes.
- Manual drag-and-drop can only migrate emails and may also cause accidental data loss.
Method 2: Direct RecoveryTools OLM to IMAP Migrator (For Large Archives)
RecoveryTools OLM Migrator for Mac and Windows enables direct bulk import of multiple large OLM files into any IMAP account with SSL/TLS security and GDPR compliance, preserving email attachments, folder structure, and metadata without requiring Outlook.
Demo Limitation: The free demo version of OLM to IMAP migration tool imports only the first 25 emails per folder from the OLM file to the IMAP server.
How to Migrate OLM to IMAP Server with Host Details?
You may also view the video to have a simple understanding of how the software migrate OLM to IMAP servers. This is one of those cutting-edge programs that just needs the username, password, host address, and IMAP port number of the resulting IMAP server to be logged in.
Most of the time, the default Port number of IMAP is 993 which is by default identified by the application. To know more about the workings of the utility, just follow these simple steps:
1. Install & run OLM to IMAP migration tool & read all important instructions.
2. Click on Select Files or Select Folders option from the source file path.
3. The software will list all OLM mailbox folders & items and check all required mailbox items from here.
4. Afterward, you have to select the IMAP option the list of 30+ Select Saving format list displayed in its panel.
5. The OLM to IMAP migration tool will ask the users to set up all the required option in its panel.
Enter details of IMAP Server. Email Address, Password, IMAP Host as well Port Number.
6. Click on the Next button to start the process & analyze it directly in its panel.
7. After the conversion process is finished successfully click on OK button to confirm & exit from here.
With the help of this advanced OLM to IMAP migration tool, importing OLM files to IMAP Server becomes straightforward. In the meantime, all you have to do is enter the IMAP Server settings, and the application will begin transferring all of the mailbox items from the source OLM to the IMAP account right away. This process should only take a few seconds.
Key Advantages of Using RecoveryTools OLM to IMAP Migration Tool
- With the pro version, upload multiple large OLM files or folders to an IMAP server without size or item restrictions.
- Retains original OLM email attributes, content, formatting, folder structure, headers, CC/BCC, sender and receiver addresses, timestamps, and message ID, when importing to an IMAP server account.
- Choose contacts or calendars separately from emails and save them to your computer to avoid data loss when migrating to IMAP.
- Preview the OLM folder tree and select only the email folders to import to IMAP.
- Wide Compatibility:
- The tool supports the latest three versions of macOS: macOS 27 Golden Gate, macOS 26 Tahoe, and macOS 15 Sequoia, and Windows 11/10, 2025, 2022, and earlier servers.
- Can import OLM from Outlook Legacy 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2026 for Mac.
- Extracted Mode: Bulk import corrupted, inaccessible, or orphaned OLM files onto an IMAP server.
- IMAP Accounts: All RFC 3501-compliant IMAP services, Gmail, iCloud, Yahoo, 1&1 Mail, cPanel, Rediffmail, Exchange Server, Office 365, etc.
A List of Various IMAP Servers with Host Details:
There are different IMAP Servers available all over the world, some of them with their hostname are listed below:
- Google Mail (Gmail): imap.gmail.com
- Outlook.com: imap-mail.outlook.com
- Office365.com: outlook.office365.com
- Yahoo Mail: imap.mail.yahoo.com
- Yahoo Mail AU/NZ: imap.mail.yahoo.au
- AOL.com: imap.aol.com
- AT&T: imap.att.yahoo.com
- Yahoo UK: imap.mail.yahoo.co.uk
- Yahoo Plus: plus.imap.mail.yahoo.com
- NTL @ntlworld.com: imap.ntlworld.com
- BT Connect: imap4.btconnect.com (Port:143)
- O2 Deutschland: imap.o2online.de (Port:143)
- T-online Deutschland: secureimap.t-online.de
- 1&1 (1and1): imap.1and1.com
- 1&1 Deutschland: imap.1und1.de
- Verizon: incoming.verizon.com
- Zoho Mail: imap.zoho.com
- Mail.com: imap.mail.com
- GMX.com: imap.gmx.com
- Net@ddress by USA.NET: imap.postoffice.net
The above list is some of the most popular IMAP Servers, in case if your Server is missing from this list, don’t worry, just ask our Support team. We will provide you a 24-hour assistance in case you face any problems.
FAQs: Import OLM to IMAP
Q1: Why is uploading Mac OLM files to an IMAP server considered complicated?
OLM to IMAP migration may appear complicated because no IMAP server, including Exchange and Office 365, supports OLM import directly. With Legacy Outlook for Mac support ending, the manual method is more susceptible to failure.
Q2: Is it possible to move OLM contacts, calendars & tasks to an IMAP server?
No, IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard protocol to retrieve email messages only. OLM contacts, calendars, and tasks have to be managed separately.
Q3: Why does my authentication keep on failing when I try to upload an OLM file to IMAP?
Certain IMAP accounts require dedicated authentication due to security concerns, e.g., Microsoft 365 uses Graph API, iCloud and Yahoo use app passwords, and Google Workspace and Gmail use OAuth. Use the correct authentication method and verify the server settings.
Q4: Is it possible to add OLM email to an IMAP server without Outlook for Mac or in non-Mac environments?
Yes, you can use the RecoveryTools OLM to IMAP Converter tool.
Q5: Is it a good idea to move OLM to an IMAP server?
Yes, not only does it offer cloud security, but it also makes the data accessible across multiple platforms.
Q6: Is there any upload limitation when migrating OLM files to an IMAP server account?
Yes, in some cases, every IMAP account has a specific upload bandwidth limit. Using the provider’s API or increasing the upper limit can let you bulk import OLM to IMAP.
Also Read:
