How to Unpack an MBOX Files on macOS?

Ritu Roy | Email Conversion email migration How to's Software Technology | 5 minutes read | Modified on: 09-06-2025
how to unpack mbox files on mac

If you have an MBOX file that you’re struggling to open and are wondering, “How can I easily unpack an MBOX file?”, then there’s no need to worry. In this article, we’ll guide you through a simple method to unpack your MBOX file so you can view all emails and attachments accurately and effortlessly.

An MBOX file serves as a container that stores multiple email messages in a compressed format. It’s a straightforward and efficient way to organize and transfer large volumes of emails along with their attachments. While MBOX files can be opened using basic text editors like Microsoft Notepad, GitHub Atom, or Apple TextEdit, they are primarily designed to work with several email clients on both Mac and Windows platforms. Popular email applications that support MBOX files include Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Entourage, Eudora, and more.

How to Unpack an MBOX File Using Mozilla Thunderbird

Follow these steps to open and access your MBOX file with Thunderbird:

  1. Launch Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer.
  2. Click on the Menu button and select Account Settings.
  3. In the Account Settings window, locate and click on Local Folders from the left sidebar.
  4. Under the Message Storage section, click the Browse button found at the bottom-right corner.
  5. Navigate to the folder where your MBOX files are stored, select it, and then click Select Folder.
  6. Thunderbird will prompt you to restart the application—go ahead and restart it.
  7. After restarting, open Thunderbird again. You will now find your MBOX file listed under the INBOX section in Local Folders.
  8. You can browse through all the emails and attachments contained within the MBOX file seamlessly.

This method provides a straightforward way to unpack and access MBOX files, enabling you to review your email data without hassle.

How to Unpack an MBOX File Using Apple Mail

  1. Launch Apple Mail on your Mac.
  2. Go to the File menu and select Import Mailboxes…
  3. In the pop-up window, choose Files in MBOX format and click Continue.
  4. Next, browse to the location where your MBOX file is saved, select it, and click Choose.
  5. Apple Mail will then prompt you with the destination folder for the imported mailbox. Once confirmed, click Done to complete the process.

Unpacking an MBOX File Using a Professional Tool

This option is ideal for users who have an MBOX file but don’t have access to a compatible email client. Many people receive MBOX files from users of Thunderbird, Gmail, Apple Mail, or other similar applications but do not use these clients themselves. Although MBOX files can be opened with text editors, those tools often fail to display the full email content properly.

For this reason, a dependable, safe, and easy-to-use solution is highly recommended. The CubexSoft MBOX to PDF Converter for Mac and Windows offers a professional way to unpack MBOX files efficiently. Since PDF files are platform-independent, you can open them on any device, at any time, and from anywhere. PDFs are also widely recognized for their security and reliability, making them an excellent choice for storing your email data after unpacking the MBOX file.

This software is both cost-effective and user-friendly. It requires no technical expertise, allowing both beginners and advanced users to complete the unpacking process quickly and accurately. With just three simple clicks, users can convert their MBOX files into PDF format in mere seconds.

Plus, you can try the tool before buying by downloading the free demo version, which lets you test the software and explore its features at no cost.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unpack MBOX Files on Mac Using the Recommended Tool

  • Download and install the software on your Mac system.
  • Add your MBOX files or entire folders by clicking the Add File(s) or Add Folder buttons in the application interface.
  • Review the list of MBOX files displayed within the tool and click Next to proceed.
  • Customize your preferences such as saving emails as PDF, converting attachments to PDF, saving attachments in a separate folder, choosing file naming conventions, and more.
  • Use available filters to remove duplicate emails or select specific MBOX files based on date, subject, or other criteria, then click Export to start the process.
  • Monitor the live conversion report that shows the ongoing progress of the export operation.

Within moments, the software will complete the task and notify you that the conversion is finished. Click OK and navigate to the chosen destination folder to access your converted files. You will notice that the PDF documents retain the original content, formatting, and metadata perfectly without any changes.

Why Choose CubexSoft MBOX Unpacker?

CubexSoft MBOX Unpacker is an ideal solution for anyone looking to safely and efficiently unpack MBOX files on both Mac and Windows platforms. Below are some key features that make this tool stand out:

  • Intuitive and easy-to-use interface suitable for all user levels.
  • Dual upload options to add individual MBOX files or entire folders.
  • Supports batch processing to save time when handling multiple files.
  • Available for both Mac and Windows, allowing seamless use across platforms.
  • Option to export emails in Black & White Mode for better readability or printing.
  • Flexible attachment handling: save attachments separately, convert them to PDF, or embed them within the PDF documents.
  • Multiple file naming conventions for organizing exported files efficiently.
  • Users can specify the destination folder to save the output files as desired.
  • Powerful filters to exclude duplicates and selectively unpack MBOX files based on date, subject, and other attributes.
  • Ensures no alteration in the original email content, metadata, or formatting during unpacking.

Conclusion

This guide has provided a reliable and secure way to unpack MBOX files on both Mac and Windows systems. The CubexSoft MBOX Converter for Mac tool is 100% safe to download and use, allowing users to extract unlimited MBOX files without any hassle. The process is smooth, fast, and produces accurate results.

You can start by downloading the free trial version on either Mac or Windows, which lets you unpack the first 25 MBOX files at no cost, giving you a chance to evaluate the software before making a purchase.