How to Export Emails from Gmail with Google Takeout

Do you want to transfer messages from your Gmail (or Google Workspace) email client to another email client or to an email inbox that is linked to your domain? The first step is to export your emails in MBOX format.

With Google Takeout, a free tool that allows you to export data from different Google services, you can export your Gmail emails as an archive and then import this archive into Roundcube, Thunderbird, Apple Mail or another email client.

Sitemap

• Why export emails from Gmail to MBOX?
• Export Gmail messages with Google Takeout
• Archive file extension (.zip / .tgz)
• Importing messages to another email client

Why export emails from Gmail to MBOX?

The most common reasons for exporting emails from Gmail as MBOX files are:

• Email backup: MBOX is a popular file format supported by many email clients. By exporting your emails to MBOX, you ensure that you have a backup of your data that can be accessed in different clients.
• Importing emails: if you are using an email client that does not support the Gmail format, you can export your emails as MBOX and then import them into another client.
• Email migration: If you are migrating to a new email provider, you can export emails from Gmail as MBOX and then import them into your new email account.
• Archiving emails: If you want to archive old emails, you can export them from Gmail to MBOX and store them on your hard drive or in the cloud.

See below for instructions on how to export messages from your Gmail email client in MBOX format.

Exporting Gmail messages with Google Takeout

1. Sign in to your Gmail account and visit the Google Takeout page.

2. Click on Deselect All above the list of services to untick all services.

3. Find the Mail service in the list and tick it.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the list and continue by clicking the Next step button.

5. Select the destination of the download (e.g. an email download link), the frequency of the export, and the file type and size. If you intend to import messages into Roundcube, specify a size of 1 GB, as this web-based email client does not support importing larger files. Confirm your choice by clicking on the Create export button.

Google will now start creating an archive file containing your Gmail messages. The process can be completed quickly, or it can take several hours or days – depending on the number and size of your messages.

6. If you chose to have Google send you the archive file via email in the previous step, please check your email inbox. Open the message sent via Google Takeout and click the File Transfer button to start the process of transferring the archive file to your computer.

7. Download the archive file (.zip / .tgz) to your computer.

Extending the archive file (.zip / .tgz)

1. Open the archive file you have downloaded to your computer with an extension program (e.g. WinRAR).

2. In the “Takeout” -> “Mail” folder , select the .mbox file and extract it to any location (e.g. your desktop).

So, now you are ready to import the .mbox file into your preferred email client.

Importing messages to another email client

Instructions for importing an email (MBOX) into your chosen email client:

• Importing emails: from Gmail to Roundcube
• Import email: from Gmail to Thunderbird
• Import email: from Gmail to Apple Mail

For further assistance, please call us on 059 335 000 or email us at info@neoserv.si.