Google Takeout – a free service by Google – allows users to download their Gmail and other Google products data. When you download the Gmail mailbox data using Google Takeout, it is saved in a .zip file. When it is extracted, you receive the mailbox data in MBOX file format. However, this file format is not compatible with MS Outlook as it supports PST format. So, if want to move or transfer your Gmail data to Outlook, then there is no native or direct method. You need to convert the Google Takeout file to Outlook supportable PST format.
In this article, we will be discussing a workaround to export Google Takeout (Gmail) data to Outlook for free. We will also mention a specialized MBOX to PST converter tool that can help you to convert Google Takeout data (MBOX file) to PST format with precision and integrity.
Workaround to Export Google Takeout Data to Outlook for Free
As there is no direct method to export Google Takeout data to Outlook, as a workaround, you can first import the Google Takeout MBOX file into Thunderbird email application, convert the MBOX file items into EML format, and then import the EML file into Outlook. Follow the procedure as given below:
Step 1: Import Google Takeout MBOX File into Thunderbird
To import the MBOX file (Google Takeout data) into Thunderbird, you need to first download the ImportExportTools add-on in Thunderbird and then import the MBOX file into the application. Here’s how:
- Open the Thunderbird application (If the application is not installed, install it).
- Click Tools and select Add-ons.
- Search for ImportExportTools NG and click Add to Thunderbird.
- Once installed, restart the Thunderbird application.
Now, to import the MBOX file into Thunderbird,
- Select Local Folders in the left pane.
- Click Tools and select ImportExportTools NG.
- Click Import MBOX files and then click Import directly one or more mbox files.
- Select the MBOX file and click Open.
Step 2: Convert Google Takeout MBOX File Items to EML Files
After importing the Google Takeout MBOX file into Thunderbird, you need to convert the file data to EML format. Follow these steps:
- In Thunderbird, select the folder containing the Google Takeout emails you want to export to Outlook.
- Select all the emails. You can use Ctrl+A.
- Right-click on the emails and select Save selected messages.
- Then, select the EML format.
- Choose a folder on your system where you want to save the messages and click Open.
The selected messages will be saved in EML file format.
Step 3: Transfer EML files to Outlook
Now that the MBOX file items are saved in EML format, you can easily export them to Outlook. Follow these steps:
- Open your Outlook application.
- Create a new folder to save your messages from Google Takeout (MBOX file).
- Open the folder where you saved the EML files.
- Then, just drag and drop the EML files into the new folder in Outlook.
Your Google Takeout emails will be added to your Outlook.
Use a Specialized MBOX Converter Software to Convert Google Takeout to PST for Outlook
The above manual process to convert Google Takeout [MBOX] data to PST is time-consuming and tedious as it involves a lot of steps. Also, there is a risk of data loss during the procedure. However, to avoid such hassles, you can use a specialized MBOX to PST converter software, like Stellar Converter for MBOX. This software is designed to convert MBOX file into Outlook compatible PST format. It can simplify the whole process and quickly convert the Google Takeout MBOX file data into PST format.
Following is the process to convert Google Takeout MBOX file into PST for Outlook using the software.
- Download and install Stellar Converter for MBOX on your computer.
- Open the tool. You will see a window to select the MBOX file.
- From the ‘Select Mail Client’ dropdown, select ‘Google Takeout’.
- Now, click on ‘Select File’ to select the MBOX file you want to convert. You can choose ‘Identity Folder’ to convert multiple files simultaneously stored in a single identity folder.
- After selecting the file, click on ‘Convert’.
- The software will display all the file items after conversion. You can click on any item to see its preview. Then, select the items you want to save to PST file and click Save.
- Select the Save as PST option in the window that opens and click Next.
- Select the location to save the PST file and click Save.
- After the completion of the process, you will get a message ‘Selected items converted and saved successfully’.
Conclusion
A lot of users find it challenging to convert Google Takeout files to Outlook PST as there is no native solution. Above, we have mentioned a workaround to export Google Takeout data to Outlook for free. However, it involves a lengthy process where you need to import the Google Takeout MBOX file into Thunderbird application, convert MBOX file items into EML files, and then export EML file to Outlook. To avoid such hassle, you can use a third-party MBOX to PST converter software, such as Stellar Converter for MBOX. It can convert MBOX file to Outlook PST format in just a few steps.