Top 3 Methods to View/Open MBOX File On Mac OS

Why Do You Need to Open MBOX Files on Mac?

Opening and accessing MBOX files on Mac is often necessary for various reasons, especially if you handle email backups or migrate emails between different clients. Here are some common scenarios where you might need to open MBOX files on Mac:

• To access emails backed up using Google Takeout.
• To import emails from older email clients like Thunderbird or Apple Mail.
• To transfer emails from one email client to another.
• To read or recover archived emails from an MBOX file.

Top 3 Methods to Open/View MBOX Files on Mac OS

Understanding how to view these files efficiently ensures you have access to important emails whenever needed. You can easily open and manage MBOX files on your Mac by using built-in tools like Apple Mail or third-party options like Mozilla Thunderbird or MBOX viewers. Let’s move to the three most effective ways to view MBOX files on Mac OS.

#Method 01: Open MBOX Files Using Apple Mail

Apple Mail, the default email client on Mac OS, natively supports MBOX files. If you already have Apple Mail installed, this is the simplest way to access your MBOX file.

1. Open Apple Mail on your Mac.
2. Go to File >> Import Mailboxes.
3. Select “Files in MBOX format” and click Continue.
4. Browse to the location of your MBOX file and select it.
5. Click Choose to import the file.
6. The imported MBOX emails will appear in a folder under the On My Mac section in Apple Mail.

Cons:

• Limited to Mac users with Apple Mail installed.
• Large MBOX files may take time to import.

#Method 02: View MBOX Files Using Mozilla Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client that supports MBOX files. If you don’t have Apple Mail or prefer a different email client, Thunderbird is an excellent option for viewing MBOX files on Mac OS:

1. Download and install Mozilla Thunderbird from the official website.
2. Launch Thunderbird and set up your email account (if not already configured).
3. Install the ImportExportTools NG add-on to import MBOX files:
   • Click on the three-line menu at the top right.
   • Go to Add-ons and Themes and search for ImportExportTools NG.
   • Click Add to Thunderbird and install the add-on.
4. Restart Thunderbird.
5. Now, go to Tools >> ImportExportTools NG >> Import MBOX file.
6. Choose “Import directly one or more MBOX files” and click OK.
7. Navigate to your MBOX file, select it, and click Open.

Cons:

• Requires installation of an add-on.
• Slightly longer setup process for first-time users.

#Method 03: Expert Recommended Solution to Open MBOX file on Mac

The DRS MBOX File Viewer Tool helps users open, view, and read MBOX files without needing an email client like Thunderbird or Apple Mail. Users can open and view multiple MBOX files simultaneously.  Also, it provides a preview of emails along with their attachments. Users can view details such as sender, receiver, subject, and date. It offers options to export emails in different formats. Through this feature, you can save them in different file formats.

Simple Steps to Open MBOX in Apple Mail

• Download and open the DRS MBOX Viewer on your screen.
• Open the software and click on “Select File(s)/Select Folder” to load an MBOX file.
• Once the file is loaded, you can view the emails and their attachments.
• If needed, you can also opt for the additional feature of the software as well.

Also Read: Import MBOX to Gmail With or Without Thunderbird

Conclusion

In this complete blog, we have discussed the three different solutions to open MBOX file on Mac. For users who prefer a native solution, Apple Mail offers a simple way to import and view MBOX files. For more features, like searching and exporting emails, you can go for the additional software. This software gives you more control and options. Overall, it is the best choice for simplicity, more features, or better compatibility. By trying these top three methods, Mac users can easily open and manage their MBOX files and access their emails whenever they need to. Also, it comes with a free version that allows users to view MBOX files without any cost.