Convert PST to MBOX Easily: Best Tool & Quick Methods (2025)
Ryan’s Question: “I’ve been using Outlook for many years, but I am now ready to switch to Thunderbird. All of my email is in PST files, and I want to convert PST files to MBOX so that I can import them. Is there a safe and easy process for me to do this all without losing information?”
Summary: If you have ever been in Ryan’s situation, you’re not alone. Many users who transition from Microsoft Outlook to other email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or Eudora must convert PST to MBOX. We’ve got everything you need to know about the PST and MBOX file formats, the need to convert them, and how to do it safely, with both manual and professional methods. We will also take you through one of the most reliable tools, the Aryson PST Converter Tool, that will give you a clean, seamless PST to MBOX conversion without any risk.
Understanding PST and MBOX Files
Let’s consider these file formats briefly before getting right into the conversion methods:
PST is the file format that the Microsoft Outlook application utilizes to save your different mailbox data.
MBOX (Mailbox) is a universal storage format for storing emails and is compatible with tool providers, including Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, Entourage, etc.
Why Should You Convert PST to MBOX file?
Users commonly export PST to MBOX when making the switch from Outlook to another email client or needing to access or use email data more easily for portability.
- Accessibility on Multiple OS: MBOX files can be accessed across both Windows and Mac systems. With PST files, this is only possible with Outlook.
- Data Backup: Saving your PST files as MBOX files can be simply viewed as a secondary data backup that can be used later on any email platform.
- Improved Security: Backups, management, and security across clients and infrastructure are simply easier with MBOX files.
Best Tool to Convert PST to MBOX – Aryson PST Converter
The Aryson PST Converter Tool is one of the easiest and most impressive methods available for converting Microsoft Outlook PST files to MBOX. Whether for personal use or at the entry level of enterprise migrations, this method allows the capability to convert large or small PST files without losing data.
Benefits of Aryson PST Converter
- Direct Migration PST to MBOX: PSTs can be migrated to MBOX or even opened with or without the use of the Outlook client.
- Multi-Processed: You can easily save your time and effort by migrating SLT files to MBOX at once.
- Preserved Data Reliability: Email properties, folder settings, attachments, and included metadata properties are preserved through the conversion process.
- Date Range Filter Option: Gives users the ability to migrate PST files with email received within a specific date range.
- Preview Features: Gives users the ability to preview the email and attachments prior to migration.
- Duplicate Removal Feature: The tool automatically detects duplicates when emailed and skips the duplicate to save the user time and effort.
- Export Options: The tool can be employed to save export PST to PDF and other formats like EML, msg, DOC, and CSV.
- Cross Platforms: Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and macOS.
Fast Steps to Export PST to MBOX:
- Begin by downloading and installing the Aryson PST Converter Tool on your computer system.

- You can either click on “Select File” or “Select Folder” to upload your PST files.

- Scanning the PST files will commence, and you will be able to view your emails and attachments on the preview panel.

- From the “Output Formats” list, you can select MBOX as the chosen conversion format.

- Choose a path to save the converted MBOX file. You have the selection options of using advanced features, such as a date range filter or removing duplicate mail.

- To finish, select the Convert button to convert Outlook PST File to MBOX.

Manual PST to MBOX Converting Methods
The last-mentioned option is the safest, however, there are still a few manual methods that you could try on your own, provided that you have Outlook and another email client such as Apple’s Mail program or Thunderbird.
Method 1: Outlook and Thunderbird (Windows)
- Open Outlook up in one instance of your computer and then open Thunderbird in another instance.
- You will want to set both accounts with the same IMAP e-mail account (like Gmail).
- Copy all Outlook emails into your IMAP account folder.
- Once synced, open Thunderbird; the IMAP emails will appear automatically.
- Export the folder as an MBOX file from Thunderbird.
Method 2: Using Apple Mail (on a Mac)
- As in the previous example, you will be exporting your Outlook PST files and imports them into Apple Mail via an intermediate step. At this point, you are able to use the Export Mailbox option in Apple Mail to save your mail in MBOX files.
- For users who value speed, accuracy, and data safety, the Aryson PST Converter remains the best and most reliable option.
Conclusion
When migrating from Microsoft Outlook to a different platform via MBOX format, users have to bear varying degrees of manual conversion methods, which is more complicated than they seem. and can lead to data loss. While there are some different manual methods, the easiest, quickest, and safest way to convert is via the Aryson PST Converter Tool, which allows users to bulk convert PST to MBOX without any attachments or email properties without any data loss.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q.1 How do I convert PST to MBOX format? Ans. You can convert PST to MBOX using the Aryson PST Converter Tool. Simply load your PST file, select MBOX as the output format, and click Convert.
Q.2 What is the best tool to convert PST to MBOX? Ans. The Aryson PST Converter is the best and most secure tool to convert PST files into MBOX format, supporting batch conversion and multiple export formats.
Q.3 Can I convert PST to MBOX manually without software? Ans. Yes, but it’s a lengthy process involving Outlook, Thunderbird, and an IMAP email account. It’s not recommended for large or sensitive files.
Q.4 How to convert PST to MBOX on Mac? Ans. You can use the Aryson PST Converter for Mac to easily convert PST files into MBOX format directly on your Mac system.
Q.5 Why should I convert PST files to MBOX format? Ans. Converting PST to MBOX provides cross-platform compatibility, better accessibility, and flexibility to use your Outlook data across multiple email clients.