Export Gmail Emails to Thunderbird – Simple Steps Available
The major concern of Gmail users is the accessibility of their data. This is why users export Gmail emails to Thunderbird so that they can access their files in offline mode.
As many of you know Gmail is a cloud-based application. So, to access the emails, contacts, calendars you are going to need internet connectivity.
But, what if a situation arises where you have to urgently go through your Gmail messages and you don’t have a stable internet connection?
Certainly, you will not be able to read the messages. And, at that time you might be thinking ‘It would have been really great if I could have just known a way to access my emails offline’.
Typically why users transfer Gmail to Thunderbird.
It is not just you, many Gmail users enquire that how they can access their emails even if they don’t have an internet connection for some certain reason.
In this case, the solution is to use the desktop-based email client; Thunderbird.
But how can you open your messages in Thunderbird? Well, you can do the same by exporting your emails to the desktop-based email client.
Now, you must be wondering can you export your messages.
Yes, you can!
This blog consists of the methods for the same along with an explanation of the steps.
What Are the Methods to Export Gmail Emails to Thunderbird?
Basically, you can export the files by following the two-step process.
This procedure can be performed manually as well as professionally. The two stages have both an expert & a manual explanation.
We have also put light on the comparison between manual & expert solutions so that users have a clear vision.
First of all, we will start with the expert solution.
Let’s cover up the process one-by-one.
How to Transfer Gmail to Thunderbird by Exporting Emails from Gmail?
The best option to export your emails is to take a backup of your emails. So, you can do the same by using the automated software Top-Notch Gmail Backup Tool. Further, follow the steps to export the emails.
1. Download and launch the software on your system. Provide the credentials for Gmail account to Login.
2. Select the file format as MBOX to save the messages in. Set the destination path by clicking on the Browse button.
3. Then, decide if you want to apply the Delete after Download feature when you export Gmail emails to Thunderbird to get more space in the mailbox.
4. Click on Apply Filter tab to use Date-filter or Emails-filter for selective data transfer.
5. Hit the Start button to begin the procedure.
After the backup, follow the below methods to import emails to Thunderbird.
Approach-1: Manual Method of Importing Emails to Thunderbird
This method utilizes ImportExportTools NG Add-on.
Firstly, if you don’t have Thunderbird downloaded on your system then install the same. Then follow the below steps to add the ImportExportTools NG to the Thunderbird.
Step-1: Start the process to transfer Gmail to Thunderbird by launching Thunderbird on your computer.
Step-2: Next click on the three lines present in the top-right corner and select the Add-on option.
Step-3: After that, on the search bar type Import/ExportTools NG.
Step-4: Then click on Add to Thunderbird option.
Step-5: Lastly add the Add-on in Thunderbird.
After adding the Add-on, now you can import your messages to Thunderbird.
Export Gmail Emails to Thunderbird Using the ImportExportTools NG
Note: Before importing make sure you have taken the backup of your messages in MBOX format. So, if you have not taken the backup yet, then you can do the same by using the automated backup tool.
Further, below are the steps to import the files to Thunderbird
- Firstly, Right-click on your ID. Then, move your mouse towards ImportExportTools NG>> Import MBOX file.
- Now choose the Import directly one or more MBOX files and hit the OK button.
- According to your need select the MBOX file to transfer Gmail to Thunderbird and click on Open.
- After carrying out the above procedure all your emails will be successfully imported to Thunderbird.
Approach-2: Import Gmail Emails Using Trusted Tool
One of the simplest solutions for importing your emails is to use the Thunderbird Import Wizard. Hence, go through the basic steps (Select>>Apply>>Import) and let the software do the work for you!
1. Open and run the software on your system.
2. Then click on Add folder to import multiple MBOX files.
3. After that, choose the specific folder that contains the files to export Gmail emails to Thunderbird.
4. Select the ‘Apply Filter’ option & set the Date-filter for selective data transfer.
5. Then, select the ‘All mail’ radio button to import all the added MBOX files.
6. The tool shows existing IDs configured on Thunderbird. Also, the same are in the ‘Select identities’ dropdown menu.
7. After that, click on the checkbox ‘Maintain Folder Hierarchy’ to maintain the on-disk folder hierarchy.
8. Finally, start the import process by clicking on the ‘Import’ option.
Above all, according to professionals, ‘Approach-2’ is a better option while importing the messages to Thunderbird. Let’s find out why.
Genuine Comparison between Transfer Gmail to Thunderbird Methods
Many users face inconvenient situations while importing their files to Thunderbird. The issues are listed below:
- In terms of Compatibility: The software supports all the versions of Mozilla Thunderbird whereas the Add-on extension fails to do so.
- Data Integrity: Some users complained that they lost their data during the import process. However, it never happens while using the software.
- Retaining the original Format: The importer tool properly displays the embedded images as compared to the manual procedure to export Gmail emails to Thunderbird.
- Attachments: The top-notch coding of the software never fails to import the emails along with all the attachments. But, depending on ImportExportTool NG for importing the attachments as well usually disappoints the users.
Conclusion
To safeguard the crucial data and to access the emails offline, a desktop-based platform i.e. Thunderbird is the most suitable option. Moreover, with the help of trusted software, you can easily export Gmail emails to Thunderbird.
Hence, after reading the article, the Gmail users must be feeling at ease as now they can access their emails even if they are facing an internet issue.