Import EML to IMAP Using a Superior Solution

Mark Briggs

Rollins Duke Approved By

Published On September 24th, 2025 • 6 min read

Overview: Many users tend to face this common challenge of moving their EML files to an IMAP account while switching between devices, or email applications, or even for safer storage. In this blog, we will be exploring some of the manual mechanisms you can use to import EML to IMAP and also talk about a superior solution, which will simplify this task considerably.

Ever Been in Such Situations?

You found some old folders of email files on your machine. These were in the EML format. Now, you wished to access these straight from your IMAP email account, but you do not know how to move them there?

Or you had switched from 1 particular email app to some other, but that new app only supported IMAP, but your old email files are in the EML format. What to do now?

Here are some similar types of queries users ask when they are in similar situations:

Query: How to import EML to IMAP superiorly without losing email attachments?
You can either make use of the manual mechanisms like an email client such as Thunderbird or MS Outlook, or opt for a superior option that will preserve your email attachments.

Query: How to import EML to IMAP server directly?
Using a superior converter, you can straight away connect your IMAP account and then upload all your EML files safely in bulk.

Why Should You Import EML to IMAP?

The necessity to import EML to IMAP comes up as EML files are local; they could easily get lost or corrupted, or even remain inaccessible in absence of any supporting app. IMAP format tends to allow easy access to emails from all devices, anywhere and anytime!

As per Statista (Year 2024), more than 4.59 billion people globally tend to use emails as of the year 2024. IMAP tends to remain the most preferred format as it keeps email data synced across many devices.

A Practical Example

Just suppose that you had been making use of the Windows Live Mail in your office in the past. So, all your work-related emails were stored in .eml files. Now, your office shifts to Gmail (that works on IMAP). For keeping all your emails safe and fully accessible, you face the necessity to import EML to IMAP server.

Situations Where You Will Need This Process the Most

Below, you will find some of the most common scenarios where such a conversion becomes a necessity:

While changing your email service provider but wanting to keep old emails intact.
While moving from some desktop-based email application to a cloud-based service.
For forensic purposes or compliance reasons, where old email records are needed in IMAP.
For avoiding any accidental loss of some email data that had been saved only on some local drive.

Manual Mechanisms to Import EML to IMAP

There are 2 main manual mechanisms that you can try:

Mechanism 1: Making Use of Thunderbird

Firstly, you must install Thunderbird.
Then, configure your IMAP account there in Thunderbird.
After that, drag & drop your EML files into the configured IMAP folder.

Plus: This is a free to try mechanism with no extra software required.

Minus: This mechanism is somewhat time-consuming. It also works poorly if you need to convert files in bulk, and there is also a risk of data loss alongside.

Mechanism 2: Making Use of MS Outlook

First of all, you must open MS Outlook.
Now, you need to configure your IMAP account.
After that, you require importing EML files one by one.
Then, you have to sync with the IMAP server.

Plus: Such a mechanism works pretty well for a small number of emails.

Minus: This has a complex setup, which needs Outlook, and it also not suitable for bulk conversions.

Manual Mechanisms Are Not Always Workable!

Such mechanisms are not suitable for big batches of EML files.
There are higher chances of missing email attachments and/or metadata.
Such ways need you to have sound technical know-how.
Such processes are very time-consuming.

Using a Pro-Level Tool Is an Expert Way of Doing This

Using the MacUncle EML Converter Tool is an expert way of addressing this problem. You can use this superior software to safely import EML to IMAP. This tool will straight away upload all your emails to any IMAP server with no fear of losing email attachments, email formatting, and/or metadata. You can also use this tool to convert EML to MSG also.

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Main Attributes of the Tool

Using this pro-level tool, you can directly import unlimited EML files into IMAP account(s).
The software will definitely preserve your folder hierarchy as well as metadata.
Such a tool is compatible with multiple IMAP servers (for example Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook.com, etc.).
This solution supports both MS Windows as well as Mac OS.

Note Down the Process Steps

First of all, you must download & install the tool.
Then, you have to add EML files or folders.
After that, you must choose IMAP as the saving option, and you should enter IMAP account credentials.
Finally, you can click “Start Import” to complete the process.

What’s Better? Manual or Pro?

Here is a quick comparison for you to guide which solution is the superior one:

Aspect	Manual	Pro
Speed	Slow and lengthy	Fast import
Data Safety	Risk of corruption	Fully safe
Usage	Needs technical skills	Simple GUI
Attachments	Usually lost	Preserved

Some Dos & Don’ts That You Must Know

DO make use of a pro tool if you wish to import bulk emails in a secure way.
DO check the IMAP login details before making the migration.
DO NOT depend upon any manual mechanism for bigger files or sensitive data.
DO NOT skip backup operation before starting with the migration process.

QUESTIONS Coming to Your Mind

Ques: Is it possible to straight away import EML to IMAP server with no tool?

Yes! This is possible only with email clients such as Thunderbird. However, such a mechanism is slow and not very reliable for big data.

Ques: How to import EML to IMAP securely?

A pro-level software guarantees accuracy & speed, as well as full data safety.

Ques: Does the pro tool work with Gmail’s IMAP?

Yes! This tool supports Gmail as well as other IMAP-based services.

Final Thoughts

To sum up the thought covered here, we can say that if you wish to import EML to IMAP, you can surely give manual mechanisms a try such as MS Outlook or Thunderbird, but these would appear slow & risky to you. For a superior approach, you must try a pro-level software that would give the best results with assured data integrity. Whether you happen to be an individual user or even a business entity, making the right software selection will not only save your precious time but will also safeguard your crucial email data.