Backup Email to EML File Format While Preserving Metadata

  

Published By Karen Chard 

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On July 27th, 2026

Reading Time 8 Min Read

Most desktop email applications allow emails to be saved as EML by dragging messages into a folder or using in-built export features. On the other hand, Webmail services generally require a desktop email client or a specialized solution as they do not offer native EML export.

Therefore, email backup in EML is one of the simplest ways to preserve individual email messages while maintaining all the original data of email along with attachments, sender information, recipients, timestamps, and formatting. Unlike multiple email file formats, EML is a widely supported file format compatible with numerous desktop email applications.

Let’s move forward and how to save email as EML​ file?

What is an EML File?

An EML file is a standard file format that is generally used to save a single email message. It stores email’s plain text content, subject line, attachments, timestamps, etc. into one digital file. EML files follow a universal standard RFC 5322, which means they are highly compatible across multiple email clients and services. They typically contain three main sections such as Headers, Body, and Attachments. These EML files can be easily opened with email clients, web browsers, and multiple text editors.

Email Clients that Support EML Files

Let’s see how multiple email client handles EML files

How to Save Email as EML File?

There are multiple ways to backup email to EML format as per the requirement of the users. You can use manual methods as well as a good and reliable email to EML converter that is also recommended by experts. You can choose whichever method suits your needs. Let us discuss the methods one-by-one and see which one is the best.

1 Method: Save Email as EML Using Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird offers a direct feature to save a single message from Thunderbird email to EML format.

1. First of all, open Mozilla Thunderbird.
2. Now, select the email that you need to save as EML.
3. Now, click on File >> Save As >> File.
4. After that, choose a destination path and click on Save button.

Note: Thunderbird installation and configuration of your account is important while using this method. Also, it is suitable only for exporting a small number of emails.

2 Method: Save Email from Windows Mail (Classic)

Classic Windows Mail application supports saving emails as EML format and steps are as follows.

1. Start with opening Windows Mail.
2. Now, select the required email which you want to save as EML
3. After this, click on File >> Save As.
4. Now, choose a destination location.
5. Finally, save the email as EML file.

Note: This method can be completed only in the supported versions of Windows Mail. Remember this method is not suitable if you have a large number of emails to proceed with.

3 Method: Backup Email as EML from Webmail

There are a wide range of webmail services such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Office 365 and some of them don’t offer any direct option to export and save email as EML format. As a loophole, you can configure those webmail accounts into Thunderbird and save Yahoo, Office 365 or Gmail emails as EML format.

1. Firstly, install Thunderbird on your system.
2. Now, configure your webmail account.
3. Wait for your emails and data to be synced completely.
4. After this, select the emails you want to save.
5. Click on File >> Save As >> File.
6. At last, save your emails as EML format.

Note: The setup and synchronization of your Webmail into Thunderbird may take longer, also this method too is not suitable if you have a large number of emails to export and save.

4 Method: Save Email as EML on Mac

This is basically a drag & drop method which is considered a real quick way to complete the process.

1. First of all, launch the Mail application on your macOS.
2. After this, click on the email you need to save as EML.
3. Now, hold Cmd + A to select all the messages in the active mailbox.
4. Then, drag the selected email from Apple Mail to Desktop or any other folder in Finder.
5. Lastly, Apple Mail creates an .eml file which you can store, share or open later in compatible email applications of your choice.

5 Method: Configure Webmail Account into Apple Mail

This method is only for the macOS users, as there are a large number of people who use Mac machines for regular tasks. Apple Mail can help them to save email to EML directly.

1. First, open Apple Mail.
2. Go to Mail >> Add Account.
3. Sign in with your email account.
4. Once synced, select the required email.
5. Now, drag email to your desktop or Finder folder to save it as an EML file.

Note: You need to repeat the process if you have a large number of files. This method will take so much time exporting hundreds and thousands of emails.

Step-by-Step Guide to Save Emails as EML

1. Firstly, install and run the solution.
   
2. Secondly, choose an email provider, suppose I need to export and save my emails into EML format in bulk from Gmail.
   
3. After that, preview all your email folders and choose EML format from Select Saving Option.
   
4. Now, choose a destination location where you want to save all your output data.
   
5. Lastly, click on the Backup button to start saving your emails in bulk.
   

Comparison of Manual and Professional Solution: Choose the Best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Need More Help?

As we have discussed manual as well as expert solutions that solve how to save email as EML file. As manual technicalities are lacking in multiple scenarios and on the other hand expert choice solution that helps to export and save and backup emails to EML in bulk. Users can choose either manual or expert choice solution.

All the above information is helpful, but if you still need help you can contact your Technical Support team anytime via Live Chat. They are available 24*7 to guide and assist you.