Guide to Open MBOX File in ProtonMail Account
Moving your MBOX file to a webmail service like ProtonMail can be a difficult task, especially for non-skilled users. But here I am going to help you by providing ways to import MBOX to ProtonMail. Read the article to the end to see how you can secure your ProtonMail mailbox.
Overview of MBOX and ProtonMail
To store multiple emails in one place, a MBOX file is used. It is a common file format that is available in many programs like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, and even in Notepad. Because the file stores its data in a simple text format, it is a flexible file that you can easily use on different platforms.
ProtonMail, on the other hand, is an email service that focuses more on privacy. and provide email security. It provides you with various features like end-to-end encryption, zero access architecture, and a robust data protection policy. All these functions make a perfect place to access and store your MBOX file. To know more about moving files to ProtonMail, below I discuss some of the reasons to move your ProtonMail.
Why Move MBOX to ProtonMail Account?
- ProtonMail offers you many security features and functions. Therefore, many users want to move their old MBOX file to the program.
- Having your file in ProtonMail will make it easier for you to manage your emails from one place.
- Because ProtonMail is a webmail, you can easily access other platforms.
- You have an old MBOX file that you want to open, but you only have ProtonMail.
- Due to its strong privacy protection. It is much safer to move your file and secure your data.
These are the common reasons to import MBOX to ProtonMail. Now, let’s see how you can easily move your MBOX file.
Upload MBOX Files to ProtonMail Account [Import-Export App]
If you are using the paid version of the account, then you have two options to import and export the app and the ProtonMail bridge. I will explain both methods with proper steps. First, let’s see the steps to import the MBOX file using the import-export app.
- From the ProtonMail website, download the Import-Export app and install it.
- Run the application and sign in using the ProtonMail email account details.
- After that, click on the Import button. Locate the MBOX files that are stored on your computer.
- Choose the ProtonMail folder and hit the Start Import option.
Import MBOX to ProtonMail with ProtonMail Bridge
In this method, I am going to use Thunderbird to use the ProtonMail bridge. This is a helpful option to move bulk MBOX files in ProtonMail.
- First, you have to open MBOX files in Thunderbird using Import/Export Tools NG.
- Then, install the ProtonMail Bridge.
- If you are importing large files, then increase the Thunderbird timeout settings.
- In the Thunderbird settings, click on the General section and select the Config Editor…
- Find mailnews.tcptimeout and change it to a large number like 1000.
- Go to the folder where your MBOX file is located. Select all emails and right-click on them.
- Click on the Copy To option and choose the ProtonMail account and the desired folder.
These two options are used by paid user accounts. If you are using the free ProtonMail version. Then, follow the next method.
Access MBOX File to ProtonMail using Thunderbird
For users who use ProtonMail for free. Use Thunderbird to export your data. Here, you need to first configure your ProtonMail account with Thunderbird and then open and move the MBOX file in the ProtonMail folder. Below are the proper steps for the account.
- Log in to the Thunderbird account and go to the Account Settings.
- Click on Account Action, then select Add a mail Account.
- Enter the ProtonMail username, email address, and password.
- Select the IMAP option and configure your account.
- Now, open the MBOX file by right-clicking on your Thunderbird account.
- Choose Import/Export Tools NG, then Import MBOX files.
- You can either choose to import individual files or import all files from directories.
- Once your MBOX file is imported into Thunderbird, you can now move the email to your ProtonMail account one by one.
Here are the methods to upload your MBOX file to ProtonMail. So, whether you are using free or paid versions. You can easily move your files. However, these methods also cause you issues.
Issues When Using Manual Methods
- When using the ProtonMail bridge, you can face login issues.
- If your MBOX file has corrupt headers or unsupported formatting, it could lead to issues like missing emails in ProtonMail.
- Moving an oversized MBOX file to ProtonMail will take too much time and affect your account folder structure.
These are some of the problems that you may encounter during the process. These issues mostly affect your ProtonMail mailbox, so first, backup your ProtonMail data, and then start the process.
How to Secure ProtonMail Mailbox?
To avoid overwriting or losing your data during the import process. Use the SysTools ProtonMail Backup Tool. An advanced software that easily downloads your complete ProtonMail mailbox. It provides you with various options to save your emails into different file formats like PDF, PST, EML, etc. So, you can also use this tool to migrate ProtonMail to Outlook or any other email account. Backup your ProtonMail, providing you with so many benefits, such as.
Benefits of Backing Up ProtonMail
- It protects your ProtonMail emails from overwriting or accidental deletion.
- If the import process fails or the mailbox becomes corrupted. You at least have the data safe with you.
- The software preserves the folder hierarchy structure. So, you don’t have to worry about the structure of the folder after importing the files.
- It also helps you reduce the oversized ProtonMail mailbox for adding new data.
Concluding Words
In this article, I have explained three ways to import MBOX to ProtonMail. The first two are for paid users, and the last one is for free users. These methods will move your file, but there are issues that you may face when you import the files. So, I also shared a solution for that. If you are having trouble importing your MBOX file, you can contact us, and our support team will be there for you.
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