Quick Methods to Export Gmail to MBOX with Attachments?

Written By Simran Bhatia
Updated on November 8th, 2025

User Query:

“I have been a Gmail user for years now, and my mailbox is all cluttered with the large volume of emails. Hence, I am thinking of transferring some of my data into Thunderbird, which supports the MBOX file format. Thus, I need to export MBOX from Gmail. Suggest the best possible ways for this export without any data loss.”

-VangMin Shein, Tokyo

Summary: Gmail is a reliable email service, but it is not free from accidental deletions, corruption of data, and account lockouts. This is why more and more users, including IT experts and business administrators, want to export Gmail to MBOX for safe offline storage. The MBOX format is well supported by several email clients, making it a suitable option for backup and migration. This will provide complete records of your communications in one portable file. Let’s quickly look at efficient methods, manual and automatic Gmail Email Backup Tool, to ensure efficiency and reliability during the export.

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Why Export Gmail Emails to MBOX is Essential?

An MBOX file is an industry-standard format to store emails by merging messages and attachments into a single email container. It is supported by multiple email clients, like:

Apple Mail

Mozilla Thunderbird

Eudora

Opera Mail

Postbox

Spicebird

SeaMonkey

Given the emergence of Gmail as an email service integrated into more workflows for business or professional life. We want to make sure that you can keep your critical data portable and usable outside Google’s ecosystem by exporting Gmail emails to MBOX. Furthermore, it is great for:

Archiving Gmail emails to local storage for backup or compliance.
Migrating Gmail email messages to offline email clients like Thunderbird or Apple Mail.
Maintaining a human-readable message format for emails sent or received while offline.
Having one email copy that consolidates all attachments from all email conversations.
Reducing storage space and organizing important business emails without hassle.

Which Methods to Use to Export Gmail to MBOX?

You can use either of these two methods for your Gmail to MBOX email export with attachments:

Manual Method
Professional Backup Tool

Both of them are briefly discussed in the upcoming parts of this section.

Hands-On Approach to Transfer Gmail to MBOX

Google’s built-in export tool, Google Takeout, provides a simple solution for exporting your entire Gmail inbox in the export file format MBOX. The steps with full control to you are:

Go to Google Takeout and log in to your Gmail account.
Then, under the “Select Data to Include” section, choose Mail.
Also, deselect any Google services you do not want to include in the export.
Click Next Step to set up the export.
Afterward, choose .zip as the file type and select a delivery option (for example: by download link via email).
Furthermore, choose the size and export frequency. At last, click Create Export.

Google will prepare your data, and at the end of the export process, you will receive a zipped MBOX file. It contains all your emails from Gmail, which you can download.

Shortfalls of the Manual Method

You can’t pick and choose which folders or dates to export.
The process is repetitive and may not necessarily retain the folder labels.
You cannot control the length of time this process can take, particularly when you have a large mailbox.

Specialized Approach to Export Gmail to MBOX

For an efficient, selective, and automated solution, you can consider using the CloudXena Gmail Backup Tool. It offers the ability to connect directly to your Gmail account and export your information in various file formats, including MBOX, without the hassle of working through your mail manually.

Exporting Gmail Emails to MBOX Expert Guide

1. After the download, install, and run the Gmail Export Tool and pick a login mode.

Step-1

1. Next, enter your Email and App Password and press Sign In to authenticate.

Step-2

1. Then, select the emails from the root folders list and click Next.

Step-3

1. Afterward, choose the MBOX format from the list and apply filters. Tap Next.

Step-4

1. Finally, select the Save Path for your mailbox MBOX and tap Download.

Step-5

Benefits of Versatile Gmail Email Backup Software

Export emails and all attachments completely and accurately.
The ability to filter emails by date range and remove duplicates.
Ability to bulk export Gmail emails to PDF and other formats.
Maintain the original folder hierarchy and metadata.
An option for incremental backup saves significant time and effort.
Offers a Demo Version to save upto 50 emails per folder for free on OS.

Conclusion

Exporting Gmail to MBOX with attachments is crucial for data safety, migration, and compliance. Google Takeout is suitable for ad-hoc manual backups, but it is limited in its ability. Professional Gmail Backup Software has the accuracy and automation necessary for bulk, or business-grade Gmail exports. Whether you are archiving an entire mailbox or selected data, whichever option you choose to export Gmail to MBOX is correct. It ensures that your data can easily be exported, is secure, is portable, and is ready for migrating to a platform of your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the benefits of saving Gmail emails as MBOX files?

Ans. MBOX is a widely accepted standard that all email clients can support. It also preserves folder structures, attachments, along all properties of the message working with MBOX, which makes it reliable for both migration and long-term archiving.

Q2. How do I export Gmail emails to MBOX?

Ans. You have the option of using Google Takeout for the manual export, or go in the direction of a professional Gmail Export Tool that will facilitate direct, selective MBOX extraction automatically.

Q3. Can I Transfer Gmail Emails to MBOX in Bulk?

Ans. Yes, you can use the Gmail to MBOX Exporter to export multiple Gmail accounts or folders at the same time to MBOX, and there is no file size restriction.

Q4. Is it possible to back up Gmail to MBOX for selected dates only?

Ans. Yes, the advanced Gmail Export Software includes a date filter that you can use to export emails from selected date ranges or custom labels.

About The Author:

Simran Bhatia

I, Simran Bhatia am a Technical Content Writer specializing in data management, email migration, and data recovery IT solutions. My focus is on simplifying complex processes into clear, practical guides that combine technical accuracy with real-world value for IT admins, decision-makers, and everyday users. For me, writing is not just about explaining technology, it’s about making it accessible, reliable, and valuable for readers.