Convert MBOX to TXT File: Complete 2026 Guide
Amelia James
October 26th, 2026
User-Query:
“ I have a Thunderbird backup with 2,500 emails stored in 6 MBOX files. How can I convert all these emails into separate TXT files without saving them one by one? ” — Asked by “Robert Mitchell”
Introduction: If you have a Thunderbird backup with large emails stored in multiple MBOX files. Then, saving each message as a separate text file can take a lot of time. The process to convert MBOX to Text files makes it easier to read, search, and share email content without opening an email client. In this guide, we will explain the manual method and an alternative MacSonik Mac MBOX Converter Tool to convert multiple MBOX emails into TXT files.
What is the Need to Convert MBOX to Text Files?
MBOX is an easy-to-use file format and is widely used to store Thunderbird email messages. However, to ensure proper data portability and analysis, users often convert MBOX file emails to TXT format. Hereby, we will disclose some of the most promising solutions and vital reasons to perform this conversion process.
The following are most emerging reasons to convert MBOX to plain text are as follows.
- Text files are easy to read and open.
- These files can be conveniently stored, shared, and transferred.
- The files are much more compatible in comparison to MBOX files.
- For some legal purposes, you may need to furnish the data in plain text format.
Convert MBOX to TEXT Format -Manual Method
- Install Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer.
- Add the ImportExportTools NG add-on from the Add-ons section.
- Right-click Local Folders, then use the add-on to import your .mbox file.
- Open the imported folder and select the email you want to save.
- Click File, then Save As.
- In the Save as type box, choose Text Files.
- Pick a name and a location, then click Save.
Limits of this method
- Saving through Save As handles one email at a time.
- Naming and saving each file takes a lot of time.
- It is difficult for many MBOX files or very large ones.
- You need Thunderbird installed and working.
- Mistakes are easy when you repeat the same steps again and again.
Convert MBOX to TEXT Format -Professional Solution
MacSonik MBOX Converter is a comprehensive tool that can easily convert MBOX files into TXT format without any data alteration. It maintains the folder hierarchy and data integrity of the files during the whole process. You can also batch-convert MBOX to TXT files with or without attachments.
Steps to Convert MBOX to Plain Text
- Download and Run the Mac MBOX Converter.
- Click the Select files/folders option to add the MBOX files.
- Here, choose the MBOX file and select the Open button.
- Now, choose the Mailbox items you want to back up and click Next.
- Pick Text as the saving format and apply additional features of the software.
- Finally, click Convert to convert MBOX file emails to TXT format.
Note: For detailed steps, check the software guide. It gives you clear instructions with proper screenshots. To get into detail about this solution, you can check out some of the most effective features of this utility
Mac MBOX Converter Tool – Top Features
- It efficiently exports MBOX files to Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook 365, Hotmail, and more email clients.
- The tool provides an option to remove duplicate emails during the conversion process.
- It can also convert MBOX to DOC, PDF, PST, HTML, EML, CSV, and other file formats.
- You can also convert emails within a specific date range.
- It supports all MBOX file types like MBX, MBS, and MSF on Mac OS.
Conclusion
After implementing these steps, we hope that you can convert MBOX to Text format. We have researched thoroughly and stated the best solution after comparing all that are readily available on the SERP. This Mac MBOX Converter will provide you with quick and reliable conversion results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a converter that reads the MBOX file directly, such as the MacSonik Mac MBOX Converter. It keeps the email text and your folder structure. Remember that TXT holds plain text only, so fonts, colors, and images will not carry over. Keep the original MBOX file until you have checked the text files.
You can open the MBOX file in Mozilla Thunderbird and save emails as text using Save As. It costs nothing, but it saves one email at a time, so it is only practical for a handful of emails.
You can open an MBOX file in Notepad or TextEdit, but it will look messy because the headers and encoded parts are mixed in with the message. For clean and readable emails, convert the file to TXT with a tool.
Yes. In the MacSonik tool, you can add several MBOX files or a whole folder together and convert them in one run. This helps when your emails are spread across many files.
Yes. The converter reads the MBOX file on its own, so you do not need Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or any other email program installed.
Add your MBOX file to the tool, select the mailbox items you want, and choose Text as the saving format. After you click Convert, the emails are saved as text files, so you do not have to save each one by hand.
A TXT file cannot hold attachments. The tool lets you convert with or without attachments, so you can choose what you need before you start.
Yes. The tool lets you pick the mailbox items you want, and you can set a date range to convert only the emails from that period.
The MacSonik tool described in this blog is built for Mac. On Windows, a Windows MBOX converter is the easier route for large files, because it handles the whole file in one go and saves you from repeating the same steps again and again.
Install the Mac MBOX Converter, add your MBOX files or folder, choose the mailbox items, select Text as the saving format, and click Convert. Then open the output folder and check a few of the files.
About The Author:
Amelia is the mistress of the webmail clients like Office 365, Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, and Opera Mail. Her research on downloading emails from webmail is outstanding. She has given the solution to download emails from webmail clients to a Mac device with all the mailbox items. She’s been into webmail solutions since 2010. In her free time, she reads books and writes technical blogs.
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