How to Convert OLM to Thunderbird- A Complete Solution

Summary: Mac Outlook users often are in dire need to shift from a paid platform to a free and open-source email client. Converting your OLM to Thunderbird appears to be a reliable choice. You might consider making this conversion. But this isn’t as easy as it sounds because of the file format difference. But this challenge can be overcome easily with the right approaches and a professional OLM Exporter, as discussed in this guide.

Necessity to Import OLM Files to Thunderbird

As we all know that Thunderbird can’t directly read the OLM files as its native format is MBOX. The key differences between them are:

• Unlike OLM, exclusive to Mac Outlook, MBOX is cross-platform compatible.
• OLM contains data as a single binary file, and MBOX stores data as plain text.

So, ideally, to perform the import, first, it is needed to convert OLM to MBOX.

Besides this, other significant reasons to migrate from OLM to Thunderbird are:

• Users can organize all emails in one place and read them without the internet, too.
• Mozilla Thunderbird offers a clean, intuitive interface suitable for all levels of users.
• Users can free up the Outlook for Mac storage and locate specific emails easily.
• Outlook for Mac archive files can be stored in separate folders and kept protected from threats.

Strategic Processes to Convert OLM to Thunderbird

Let’s find out the manual solution and the professional tool method that helps with the OLM to Thunderbird migration in this section. The detailed structural procedure is specified below, along with its limitations. Also, learn why a professional tool is better than all.

Manual Method: Indirect Export OLM to Thunderbird

Here, you can first import OLM to Yahoo Mail or Gmail and then move the data within the Thunderbird account. It is a lengthy and time-consuming process with various other difficulties, but it gives results. Go through the step-by-step guide:

1. Gmail/Yahoo IMAP configuration in Outlook for Mac

• Within the Mac Outlook, open Preferences from the Outlook tab.
• Then, choose the Accounts window and add the desired IMAP account.
• Further, complete the sync to connect the accounts.

2. Import OLM to IMAP Accounts

• Now, create a new folder within the IMAP synced account.
• Drag and drop the emails from the source folder to the target folder.
• Wait until all the data syncs and saves on the cloud.

3. Convert OLM to Thunderbird

• Afterward, open Thunderbird and configure the same IMAP account in it.
• Once synced, drag and drop all the folders within a Thunderbird folder.
• Finally, use the ImportExportTools NG add-on to save the OLM emails locally as

MBOX.

What is Missed in this Manual Method?

Certain items from the Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) don’t sync reliably when you transfer OLM files to Thunderbird. These are drafts, contacts (.vcf files), calendar (.ics files), and more. Furthermore, you encounter several drawbacks, like:

• The structure of the folder is often collapsed, and data is also lost.
• Incomplete mailbox conversion and duplicacy can happen.
• Users without technical knowledge may find it hard and face errors.
• Requires a mediator email client to complete the migration.
• You cannot migrate attachments with size larger than 25 MB.

So, the best task to do here is to use a professional utility and ease the process and manual efforts of users.

Convert OLM to Thunderbird with OLM Exporter

To avoid all the hassle, sync issues, and other cons faced with the manual method, use the OLM to Thunderbird Migrator. This automated tool to directly import OLM files to Thunderbird in bulk at once is unique for all techies and non-techies.

Additionally, it is highly safe and secure to provide guaranteed results without affecting the data’s originality. Moreover, you can use it on any Mac/Windows system and ideally save a few emails with the demo version for free. In all, it is a complete solution with no downtime issues or need for a specific application.

How Can Tool Export OLM to Thunderbird?

1. After its download and installation, click on the Continue button.
2. Next, with Select Files/Select Folder, open OLMs from the PC folders.
3. Further, preview and verify the folders needed from the tree hierarchy.
4. Select them and click Next to choose Thunderbird from the formats list.
5. Afterward, the native profile path is set; you can change it if needed.
6. At last, use filters and tap Convert to transfer OLM to Thunderbird in one go.

Conclusion

The task to convert OLM to Thunderbird isn’t as straightforward as drag and drop. Yet, you may use the manual IMAP sync or try the ultimate tool for quick and batch conversion. Thunderbird provides the flexibility and scalability that email users require at times, and thus, the conversion is beneficial. Furthermore, if data integrity, time, efforts, and completeness matter more to you, opt for the automated tool.

Frequently Asked Questions