How to Save IMAP Emails Locally? Complete Guide

Published By Jamie Kaler

Approved By Rollins Duke

Published On September 11th, 2026

Reading Time 5 Min Read

IMAP – Internet Message Access Protocol has enabled directly accessing emails anywhere on multiple devices by fetching a copy from the IMAP server. Yet the need to save IMAP emails locally to drive still exists – much like the older days for POP3.

As saving IMAP email to local storage lets you

Free up server/mailbox storage
Create a personal archive/backup – to avoid accidental data loss or during migration
Access emails offline on a device
Retain IMAP email records for business compliance

Note: Upon saving emails from an IMAP server they will not be deleted from the server directly. You will have to distinctively delete IMAP emails.

You can export IMAP emails to your local device – by configuring the Thunderbird email client and moving IMAP emails to Local folders or using Outlook and export to PST file. To automate archiving IMAP emails – by scheduling in fixed intervals – use RecoveryTools, which is specialized and purpose-built for it.

3 Ways to Save IMAP Emails Locally

Here we are going to mention 3 methods to save all your IMAP emails to your local computer. We will take the help of Outlook and Thunderbird email client help, and then we will use the expert tool to download IMAP emails locally.

Method 1: Save IMAP Emails Locally using Outlook

First, you have to configure your IMAP account in Outlook by following these short steps: Open Outlook >> File >> Add Accounts >> Login Details >> IMAP Details and finish the process.

Now we will export IMAP emails in PST format using mentioned steps:

Open an Outlook account.
Select the File >> Open & Export >> Import / Export option.
Select the Export to a File option from the list and hit the Next icon.
Choose the “Outlook data file (.pst)” option and again click on the Next button.
Choose the IMAP folders and enable Include Subfolders and apply filters.
Lastly, browse the location to save IMAP emails locally and click the Finish icon.

And your emails are successfully saved in PST format, but there are some limitations that you must read before using this method.

Limitations

Outlook installation is required with a proper license.
Exported PST files can only open with the Outlook email client.
There is a high risk of data loss and corruption with PST files.

Method 2: Store Emails from IMAP Accounts using Thunderbird

Download the Thunderbird email client on your system and configure it with a proper account and then follow the mentioned steps:

Open a Thunderbird account.
Click on the Tools >> Account Settings option.
From the Account Actions option choose Add Mail Account icon.
Enter the login details and IMAP details of the IMAP account.
Lastly hit the Finish button to save IMAP email locally.

Now we will export the IMAP emails through Thunderbird in MBOX format.

Restart Thunderbird again.
Right-click on the folder that you want to export.
Choose “ImportExportTools NG” >> Export to Folder options.
Browse the location to save IMAP emails locally.

Limitations:

Thunderbird should be installed on your system properly.
If your emails are not synced properly then reconnect the accounts.

Also Read: How to Save IMAP Emails to Thunderbird Locally?

Method 3: Save IMAP Emails Locally using the Expert tool

If you don’t want to face any limitations, then you should download the RecoveryTools IMAP Backup Software. The tool is one of the best and highly recommended tools to accomplish your task related to migration. Most of the experts choose this tool because it comes with advanced features and filters.

Also, this tool has been created with highly advanced algorithms, which makes the tool more usable for all technical and non-technical users. Users can download the software on all Windows OS including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and all previous versions.

Download Now Purchase Now

Working Steps to Save Your IMAP Emails to Local Computer

Download and install the tool and read all the instructions.
Choose your IMAP account from the list, or choose the IMAP Server option.
Enter the login details of your account and enter the IMAP Host details.
Next, preview all the folders and subfolders, check and uncheck the required folders.
Click on the Select Saving Option and choose the required standard file format such as PDF.
Apply the Advanced Filter Option to save specific emails.
Lastly, click on the Backup button to save IMAP emails locally.

Prime and Advanced Features of the Software

The software allows users to save emails from all types of IMAP accounts by simply putting the IMAP details of the account.
This tool will load all folders and subfolders on the panel automatically, where you can check the required data according to your choice.
Users can easily save unlimited emails from IMAP accounts in bulk at once without having file size limitations.
This utility maintains the original folder hierarchy with email elements including Bcc, Cc, To, From, Subject, Formatting, Images, Signature, etc.
Users can easily save IMAP emails locally from all types of folders including Inbox, Sent, Trash, Spam, Draft, and other created labels and folders.
The file naming option allows users to maintain resultant emails via Date Range, To, From, Subject, Title etc.

Time to Say Goodbye

Here we have mentioned one of the best and safest methods to save IMAP emails locally using manual methods and expert solutions. For manual methods, here we have used the Outlook and Thunderbird email client but these methods have some limitations. So, it is better to use the expert solution to save and archive IMAP emails locally. Because this tool comes with advanced and amazing features, which makes it the first choice of users. We have tried our best to provide complete information, hope you find the article helpful.