Export Yahoo Email to MBOX Format: Easy & Reliable Method
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Written By
Aradhya Jain -
Approved By
Shivam Rathore -
Updated on
August 13th, 2025 - Read Time
5 minutes
User Query: I’ve been using Yahoo Mail for a long time. However, I now want to back up all my emails and store them in a safe, accessible format, such as MBOX. I might switch to Thunderbird or Apple Mail later, which supports MBOX files. Can someone tell me how to export Yahoo email to MBOX easily, without losing anything? I need a reliable and simple solution, please!
Summary: Transferring your email data from one platform to another can be hectic when the services don’t offer a built-in export option. This is exactly the case with Yahoo Mail. While it’s great for web-based communication, it doesn’t allow you to directly save your emails in formats like MBOX. In this blog, we will show you simple steps to easily export email from Yahoo Mail to MBOX. Additionally, you can directly use the professional DRS Softech Yahoo Backup Tool for a quick and hassle-free result.
Simple Steps to Export Yahoo Email to MBOX
- Download and install the DRS Softech Yahoo Mail Backup Tool.
- Then, enter your Yahoo Mail Credentials (ID & Password) to Sign In.
- Now, you can check the added Yahoo emails and select them to export.
- After that, pick MBOX from the available Saving options.
- Lastly, use filters and features as per your needs. Click Convert.
Real-Life Scenario:
Mardin, a freelance graphic designer, had been using Yahoo Mail for over a decade to manage client communications. With plans to switch to Mozilla Thunderbird for better offline access and performance, he needed to save Yahoo messages as MBOX format. However, Yahoo didn’t offer a direct way to save messages in MBOX format. First, he tried the manual method. But it’s time-consuming. After much research, Mardin found a reliable DRS Softech MSG Converter Tool that exports all his Yahoo emails safely, with all data intact.
Manual Method to Export Yahoo Email to MBOX
If you want a free solution, you can use Mozilla Thunderbird with the ImportExportTools NG add-on. However, this method requires some configuration, including IMAP setup. Here’s how it works:
- Firstly, install Mozilla Thunderbird on your system.
- Now, set up your Yahoo account using IMAP:
- After that, go to File > New > Existing Mail Account.
- Enter your Yahoo credentials and complete the setup.
- Once emails are synced, install the ImportExportTools NG add-on.
- Then, click on the Add-ons Manager and choose Extensions.
- Further, search for “ImportExportTools NG” and install it.
- After installation, right-click the Yahoo folder you want to export.
- Select: ImportExportTools NG > Export folder > Export as MBOX file.
- Finally, choose your destination folder, and the emails will be saved in .mbox.
Limitations of Manually Access Yahoo Emails as MBOX File
The manual method using Thunderbird is free and commonly used. But it has several drawbacks, including:
- Syncing emails and exporting them folder by folder takes a lot of time.
- The process involves IMAP setup and configuration, not ideal for beginners.
- You can’t apply filters like date range, subject, or sender while exporting.
- Also, to export multiple Yahoo emails, you’ll need to repeat the setup.
Hassle-Free Way to Export Yahoo Email to MBOX
For a secure and quick transfer, you can use the reliable DRS Softech Yahoo Backup Tool. It eliminates the technical hassles of manual methods and provides multiple features designed for both personal and professional users. You can export Yahoo messages with 100% data integrity. It supports attachments, formatting, and folder hierarchy. In addition, it provides a date filter for selective emails. With its simple interface, you can also migrate emails from Yahoo Mail to Office 365 and other email clients.
One-Time Service Available
Need help with a one-time bulk migration?
If you want a more customised and cost-effective conversion, you can immediately reach out to our 24/7 technical support for a one-time Yahoo Mail to MBOX migration.
How to Download Yahoo Emails in MBOX Format?
- Firstly, download and install the DRS Softech Yahoo Backup Tool.
- Now, enter your Yahoo Mail ID and Password to Sign In.
- Then, you can preview and select the Yahoo emails to export.
- After that, choose MBOX as the Saving Format from the given list.
- In the end, use advanced features and filters. Click Convert.
Conclusion
In this detailed post, we explained how to export Yahoo email to MBOX format. Exporting Yahoo email to MBOX format is an important step to switch to desktop-based email clients. While Thunderbird offers a manual route, it has limitations and is time-consuming. For a more secure solution, using the DRS Softech Yahoo Backup Tool is highly suggested. It saves your emails in MBOX with complete accuracy, along with attachments and filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Use the DRS Softech tool to export Yahoo emails to MBOX. Open the MBOX in Thunderbird or Apple Mail later, attachments and formatting remain intact.
Ans: Yes, it’s perfectly safe when using a trusted method like the Softech tool. Manual methods are safe too, but involve more steps.
Ans: Absolutely! The Softech tool includes options to filter by date, sender, subject, and more.
Ans: Yes. While it works one account at a time, you can export multiple accounts sequentially without reinstalling or extra setup.
