How to Import EML Files to Thunderbird? Top 4 Ways!

“My colleague saved his Mac email data in EML format and gave me all the files so that I could access them on my computer. Now, I am wondering how to open these emails. I use Thunderbird which supports EML files. Can anyone suggest to me how to import EML files to Thunderbird? Thanks in advance.”

Many users end up having a bulk of EML files with them that they want to open. Since Thunderbird is a free-to-use email application and also supports EML files, it is the top choice for users to read EML files.

But the problem is that users have to open EML files one by one, by clicking on that file from their original location. In the coming section, we will introduce you to manual & automated ways to import EML to Thunderbird with all attachments & Other attributes. So, let’s begin the post…

Reasons to add .eml Files into Thunderbird

There could be various reasons why users tend to Import EML files to Thunderbird. Get through these steps to get the clear idea to do so.

• Managing multiple accounts and formats can be difficult to deal with, by importing EML files it allows users to keep their all emails in one platform or place.
• If you are switching from any other email client that saves your email in EML format. By importing into Thunderbird you can have access to your old emails which you were associated with.
• Thunderbird is also known for its advanced features, and offers junk filtering, add-ons and themes to enhance email accessibility.
• It is an efficient way to create backup of your emails or archive of your important emails which ensures you have a reliable copy of your emails in your email client.

How to Import EML Files to Thunderbird? Manual Methods

There are various options available to transfer EML files in Thunderbird. Follow these concise steps to get started.

#1. Transfer EML Files into Thunderbird – Drag and Drop Method 

• Open Mozilla Thunderbird.
• Find the folder you want to import the EML files into.
• Browse to the location of your EML files.
• Drag and drop the EML files from your file manager into Thunderbird.

This is one of the easiest methods to complete the process, but it has limitations. When you batch import EML to Thunderbird, various users have faced errors like Thunderbird running slow or not responding.

#2. Import EML Files to Thunderbird with Import Tool

• Install the ImportExportTools add-on in Thunderbird.
• Go to Tools > ImportExportTools > Import Messages.
• Select the folder to import into, and choose “Import EML” as the file type.
• Navigate to and select the EML files to import into Thunderbird.

The Import/Export NG add-on is compatible only with the latest versions of Thunderbird. Also, you can refer to this page if you encounter the ImportExportTools NG not working in Thunderbird.

#3. Transfer EML Files into Thunderbird – Using  File Menu

• Open Mozilla Thunderbird application.
• Go to Tools > Import.
• In the Import Window, choose “Mail” and click on “Next”.
• Choose the suitable option based on the origin of your EML files and follow the instructions to find and import the EML files.
• Once your Import process is completed, after that EML files will be automatically listed in the selected Thunderbird Folder.

#4. Import EML Files to Thunderbird – From a Directory Option

This method is useful when you have large EML files stored in a single directory and want to import them at once. So, follow these steps to successfully transfer EML files into Thunderbird.

• Open Mozilla Thunderbird and go to your local folders.
• Right-click on local folders and select new folder option
• Give the folder a name, and press Enter.
• Right-click on the new folder, select “ImportExportTools NG” and then choose “Import all messages from a directory” > “also from its subdirectories” if you have a nested folder structure.
• Navigate to the directory containing your EML files and click on the “Select Folder” button.
• Thunderbird will import all EML files from this directory into the chosen folder.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q) Is it necessary to use third-party software to Import EML files to Thunderbird?

Ans. No, it is not necessary to use a third-party tool. It can be done using the built-in drag-and-drop feature or with the help of the ImportExportTools NG add-on, and even more which are mentioned in the guide, and are available for free.

Q) Is it possible to Import EML files from different email clients into Thunderbird?

Ans. Yes, you can do, as it is a standard file format supported by many email client applications.