Import OST to Apple Mail – An Ultimate Guide for You

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Written By Kumar Raj
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On October 8th, 2022
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Are you looking for a solution for how to import OST to Apple Mail?

So, The wait is finally over!

Here, we are going to tell you some easiest and most effective methods that definitely migrate emails from OST files to Mac Mail. So, just stick your eyes to this article and grab the solutions.

When We Talk About ‘Import OST file into Mac Mail’, Multiple Situations Comes into Mind

Actually, the OST file is created in Windows Outlook whose function is to allow users to work in the absence of the internet. Primarily, it automatically generates in Outlook when they connect with Exchange Server account, and IMAP accounts (such as O365 and Gmail). And, when the user is not connected to the internet, the OST file stores all the work of Outlook that is made in offline mode and synchronizes it with the server whenever the connection is established.

For now, at least we have two possible situations where a user needs to migrate OST to Apple Mail.

Situation #1: User Who Already Knows About Exchange Account Details

It is evident from above that an OST file is created when an Exchange and IMAP account is configured in the Windows Outlook account. So, you can also add an Exchange account in Apple Mail using the IMAP migration technique. It allows to set up different email accounts in Mac Mail with ease.

So, if a user has all the information about its existing Exchange account that is used in Windows Outlook, then manually configure that profile in Apple Mail. It is one of the easiest ways to convert OST to Mac Mail. By doing this, one can easily import OST to Apple Mail application without taking any headache.

Let’s check out the steps that take place while configuring the Exchange account into Apple Mail.

Use the following steps to add any of the Exchange accounts.

  • Start Apple Mail and select Preferences >> Accounts from the menu.
  • Now, click on Add (+) icon from the lower left corner of the page to open add account wizard.
  • Select the radio button labeled as Exchange and hit Continue.

Select Exchange option

  • On the next page, type your name, email address, and password in the respective boxes. Then, click on Continue.

Add credentials

  • In such a situation, when the Autodiscovery option is enabled in Exchange Server, the mail automatically sets up a server. Else, it will prompt you to provide the address of a server. In case, when you do not know it, kindly contact your Exchange Server administrator.
  • Here, you can add folders like contacts and calendars while configuring Exchange with Apple Mail. You only need to select the desired folder checkbox and click on Continue.

  • Finally, the Exchange account gets configured into the Apple Mail application.

Situation #2: Users Who Delete The Account and Left with An OST File

Many times, users configure the Gmail, Yahoo, Office 365, or Exchange account in the Outlook application. And, deletes the following account forever from Outlook. But, there are various circumstances, where a user needs to access data whose account has been removed from Outlook in Mac Mail. This can be easily explained by a real-life situation.

“Recently I switched from Outlook to Apple Mail because of business purpose. Actually, we used Gmail client for emailing purpose in my company. And, the same email ID I used along with my Outlook account. And, when my company changes my system, without any prior notice they deleted my Gmail account. The problem is that I need some of the old emails from Google account. The only way to get those messages is to extract it from the OST file, that was created in Outlook when I set up the Gmail account in it. But, there is no method available that can import OST to Apple Mail. Please help!!!”

Wait! The story does not end here

Many times, when an employee leaves the organization, the company deletes its Exchange account. However, its OST file is still available in the system. In case, when there is a requirement to access those terminated employee data on Apple Mail, there is no option available to view it. Because, manually, no one can directly import OST files into Mac Mail.

It is impossible to directly Transfer OST emails into Mac Mail. Can you believe it?

Unluckily, OST (or Offline Storage Table) is a system-dependent file. It means you cannot export an OST file on another system and open it just like a PST file. No, this has not happened ever.

Even, though Microsoft admits that Outlook does not possess the functionality that can open or import data from an OST file. They simply give a solution that again set up a similar account and creates an OST file. For this, you can go through this Microsoft article:


But, this solution does not resolve the problem that users have. It will not import OST to Apple Mail.

Don’t Be Sad, An Ultimate Method Exist

It is clear that you cannot directly migrate emails from the OST file to the Mac mail application. So, it is best to convert OST to Apple Mail-supported file format i.e., MBOX. For this, you have to take the help of OST to MBOX Converter, an automated software. It effortlessly imports OST to Apple Mail MBOX file format in a minimum span of time.

But, Why Use Third-Party Software?

It is an interesting part that why we go for a third-party utility. Users generally think that they can use the Thunderbird email client, a free utility that uses MBOX files for conversion purposes. They simply think that it is very easy to import OST into Mozilla Thunderbird, which ultimately makes MBOX in the back end.

But, Hold On

There is no method exists that can directly transfer the OST files into Thunderbird. So, you have to use a conversion tool for the same i.e., the tool mentioned above.

Quick Way to Import OST to Apple Mail Via. Software

The OST to Apple Mail Migrator is an amazing utility with a self-guided interface. So, you do not need too much technical knowledge to operate this. You only need to use the below step and in a matter of minuter convert the offline storage file into MBOX format.

Step 1: Make OST File Importable

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  • Launch the software on any Windows OS and click on Add File button.
    add file
  • Preview Complete Data and Click on the Export Button from Top Menu.
    export files
  • Select MBOX form List and Browse Location, after that click on Export.
    select export type
  • Wait Till Conversion Process Completes to 100%. After that move to step 2. 
    OST to Apple Mail Completed

 

Step 2: Add MBOX to Mac Mail

  • First, with the help of any storage device, transfer the MBOX file to a Mac machine.
  • After that, open Apple Mail and click on File >> Import Mailboxes.
  • From Import Wizard, pick Files in .mbox format and hit Continue.
  • Select the MBOX file and click on Choose.
  • Finally, click on Continue to import OST into Mac Mail.

In the End

It never ceases to amaze how much people need to import OST to Apple Mail. It is a frequent requirement of the users. Therefore, we have come up with this article. One can easily go through different situations related to the OST file and can choose a workaround as per requirement.

  author

By Kumar Raj

He is an ardent tech enthusiast and has a specialization in simplifying complex tech topics. With a knack for staying ahead of the curve, he provides readers with up-to-date insights into the ever-evolving tech world. When he is not writing, he enjoys exploring new gadgets and is actively engaged in tech communities.