Summary: This guide will provide information on how to export Sylpheed to Thunderbird through manual approach and introduce you to a very popular professional solution. Adding to that, you will get to know the challenges that users face while importing manually & why many people prefer a smart approach.
Why Import Sylpheed Mail to Thunderbird?
Many users choose to export Sylpheed to Thunderbird for many reasons. Let’s know all of these points.
- It allows you to filter and organize emails using advanced search, tags, and folders
- There are not many updates made to Sylpheed in comparison with Thunderbird
- This application provides advanced security options including smart filter feature
- You can use many extensions to enhance your work level
- Users can manage email accounts from various providers using one interface
- Thunderbird is fully compatible with all major operating system
The fact that Thunderbird has millions of users around the world, you can easily get help through extensions, forums.
Know More: How to Migrate Claws Mail to Thunderbird?
Points to Note:
Before you migrate, remember to tick all these boxes for an error-free process.
- Backup your MH mailboxes
- Close both the email client while transferring files
- Thunderbird must be installed correctly
- You must know where your Sylpheed mailbox is located
- Make sure that there is sufficient disk space
- Know, if there is any important folder structure
Know Sylpheed Emails Location
The format in which Sylpheed stores their data is MH. Below are the default folder paths in every operating system.
This is for Windows:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Sylpheed\
This is for Linux:
~/.sylpheed-2.0/
You will find all your mailboxes in these folders.
Manual Methods to Export Sylpheed to Thunderbird Client
There are two ways to import Sylpheed mail data to Thunderbird. First, try these methods to know if it’s effective for you or not.
#1. Using ImportExportTools NG Add-on
It is a very simple method which you can go for. Follow these six sets of steps to complete the process.
Step 1. Finding the Sylpheed Mailbox Folder
- Firstly, navigate to the Sylpheed profile folder and look for your mail directory over there
- Next, copy the mailbox folder to a safe location
Step 2. Install Thunderbird
- If you don’t have one, just download and install into your system
- Launch Thunderbird and create a new profile.
Step 3. Add ImportExportTools NG Extension
Before using this, you can read in brief about how to use ImportExportTools NG add-on extension.
- Open Thunderbird
- Go to Tools > Add-ons > Themes
- Find ImportExportTools NG
- There install this particular add-on
- Now, restart your Thunderbird again
Step 4. Import your Mailboxes
- Right click on Local Folders
- Click on ImportExportTools NG add-on
- You will see the “Import MBOX file” option. Tap on it.
- Select the Sylpheed emails which you want
Step 5. Check All Emails
Open all folders and verify emails are there or not. Like, you can check this important sections:
- Inbox
- Sent
- Drafts
- Attachments
- Hierarchy of folders
#2. Directly Copy MH Mailbox Data
It uses MH format to store their emails. It may be possible for Thunderbird to read those messages once you convert them. Then, you can easily export Sylpheed to Thunderbird.
- Start by closing your Thunderbird
- Copy the folders from Sylpheed mailbox
- Then, paste them to the Local Folders directory
- Restart Thunderbird
If Thunderbird detects the folders, they will show up all the data.
Limitations of Using Manual Ones
Even though migration is manual and free, it also has its disadvantages.
- Migrating a large number of emails will take more time
- If you do not copy the emails properly, then your emails might be lost
- It can affect your folder structure too
- There can be metadata issues like read/unread, flagging, custom folders, or labels
- Some attachments could become inaccessible, if you damage the mailbox
- It is necessary for users to know the location of mailboxes and Thunderbird profiles
- Particularly organizations do not prefer manual options
Export Sylpheed to Thunderbird Client Directly – Professional Solution
Since Sylpheed does not offer the direct feature to migrate emails, the manual process tends to find out the mailbox file, using some third party add-ons, and importing emails from each folder individually. It can be quite a long process and may lead to loss of emails. So, you can skip those long manual steps and use SysTools Thunderbird Import Wizard here. This will easily move your mailbox and save your emails, attachments, folder structure, and many other properties.
Key Features:
- No file size limitations
- Supports large MBOX data
- Anyone can use this software
- Provide accurate results
- There is no watermark too
- Safe & secure environment
- You can work in offline mode to avoid data breach
Software Steps to Import MBOX to Thunderbird Easily
1. The first thing to do is to install and launch our expert software.
2. Next, click on “Add File(s)/Folder” and choose the Sylpheed Mail Data files.
3. Now, it will display all your emails and profiles in the dashboard.
4. Select any profile from the “Identities” list and then proceed to import the MBOX/MBX file.
Important: Add Thunderbird account which is configured with either an email account or a local profile.
5. In case there is none, then a message will be created to make sure of that.
6. If you want to preserve the folder hierarchy of the imported files, check the Maintain Folder Hierarchy.
7. Click on Import to begin the process.
8. This way, your imported files will now be in your Thunderbird profile.
NOTE: You cannot import into an IMAP account. In this case, choose POP account or Local folder.
This whole step takes only a few clicks, and no additional Thunderbird add-ons are required.
End Note
You can export Sylpheed to Thunderbird. It is possible, but it will depend on the method you choose. Manual methods are recommended for people who have a few messages in their mailbox and also have sufficient computer skills to handle mailbox files.
If you want a process which is fast & reliable, then you can use our professional solution. It is easy to migrate all your MBOX data, and have a smooth workflow between different systems. You can maintain your folder structure and also give you a bulk import option. It is very useful for both individual users and those who have multiple mailboxes.
