How to Export Gmail to MBOX with Attachments

Export Gmail Emails to MBOX by Using Google Takeout

Before proceeding, we want to caution you that this method of exporting Gmail to MBOX with attachments using the Google Takeout feature can be risky and time-consuming. Therefore, we advise users to look into the limitations of below method.

1. Visit https://takeout.google.com and sign in with your Gmail account.
2. Click on “Deselect all” to clear the selection of all Google services.
3. Scroll down and select only “Mail” by checking the box next to it.
4. Click on the “All Mail data included” button.
   • If you want to export all your emails, keep the default “Include all messages in Mail” selected.
   • If you want to export specific labels only, deselect the “Include all” option and select the desired labels.
5. Click OK to confirm your selection.
6. Click Next step.
7. Under Delivery method, choose how you want to receive the archive:
   • Example: Send download link via email.
8. Set the following options:
   • File type: Choose .zip
   • Archive size: Choose a size limit (e.g., 2 GB, 4 GB, etc.). If your data is larger, it will be split into multiple files.
9. Click Create export.
10. Google will start preparing your archive. This may take some time depending on the size of your mailbox.
11. Once the archive is ready, you’ll receive an email with the subject “Your Google data is ready to download.” Click the Download Archive button.
12. Extract the downloaded ZIP file. Inside, you will find your emails in .mbox format, which you can open using email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or dedicated MBOX viewers.

Limitations of Google Takeout for Gmail Export

• You must export the entire mailbox each time—there’s no way to back up only newly received emails.
• Google Takeout provides emails only in .mbox format, which requires compatible software like Thunderbird or Apple Mail to open.
• Depending on the size of your Gmail account, it can take hours or days to generate the export file.
• You can only filter emails by label. There’s no support for date ranges, sender-specific filters, or keyword-based selections.
• The download link sent via email is only valid for 7 days. If missed, you have to recreate the export.

Export Gmail to MBOX with Attachments With Tool

There are several specialized tools available online that simplify the process of migrating emails to various file formats. One such tool is the Aryson Email Backup Wizard, which automates the backup of Gmail emails to the MBOX format. This tool is particularly useful if you plan to migrate Gmail messages directly to MBOX-compatible email clients such as Thunderbird or Apple Mail.

In addition, the Email Migrator tool enables direct transfer of Gmail data into MBOX-supported clients, streamlining the migration process without the need for manual export and import steps.

1. Download and run the Email Backup Wizard on your system with administrative privileges. 
2. Click on the Gmail icon and enter the required Gmail Credentials > Sign-In.
3. Now, select the desired Gmail items from the list and click on the Next button.
4. Click on the option save in file format and select the saving format as MBOX.
5. Apply the optional Features/Filters and click on the Download button to initiate the process.

Once the process is complete, navigate to the chosen directory to access your exported .mbox file.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this article has outlined two verified methods for exporting Gmail emails to MBOX with attachments. Both approaches are efficient and reliable; however, the Google Takeout method can be more technical and time-consuming compared to the automated method.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your preference and comfort level in handling your Gmail data securely. For a smoother and more user-friendly experience, we recommend using the Email Backup Wizard.

Frequently Asked Questions