markymcc74

Q: Importing mbox issue

I'm using OSX El Capitan on a 27-inch late 2013 iMac. and have decided to start using the Mail app instead of Outlook 2011. I have a lot of archived folders that I'd like to migrate. The way to do this seems to be to drag and drop a folder from Outlook onto the desktop, then in Mail I'm going to File->Import Mailboxes, choosing "Files in mbox format", browsing to the .mbox file and pressing Choose.

Every time I've done this Mail crashes, when it reopens the imported mailbox is there but is completely empty.

Is there anything else I can do to transfer my Outlook folders to Mail?

iMac

Posted on Oct 14, 2015 9:08 AM

Close

Q: Importing mbox issue

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Oct 14, 2015 10:28 AM in response to markymcc74
    Level 9 (73,351 points)
    iTunes
    Oct 14, 2015 10:28 AM in response to markymcc74
  • by markymcc74,

    markymcc74 markymcc74 Oct 15, 2015 2:28 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 15, 2015 2:28 AM in response to Eric Root

    Thanks but booting into the Safe Mode didn't work, again Mail crashed when importing an .mbox mailbox, after reopening the imported mailbox is there but is again empty.

  • by sbillings,

    sbillings sbillings Oct 20, 2015 8:21 PM in response to markymcc74
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 20, 2015 8:21 PM in response to markymcc74

    I Have the exact problem - trying to do the same with my files.

  • by Nuimanu,

    Nuimanu Nuimanu Oct 25, 2015 8:47 PM in response to markymcc74
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 25, 2015 8:47 PM in response to markymcc74

    Identical issue - late 2012 iMac 27inch. 

  • by sbillings,

    sbillings sbillings Oct 26, 2015 5:56 AM in response to Nuimanu
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2015 5:56 AM in response to Nuimanu

    Gave up on Apple fixing this problem; purchased  "PST Easy Convert" from Mac App store for $5 and it worked great! I highly recommend it.

     

    Ideally, I should not have to do this, but lately, Apple seems to busy to fix things like this. 


    Sad.

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Feb 10, 2016 3:12 PM in response to markymcc74
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 10, 2016 3:12 PM in response to markymcc74

    I dragged a folder from Outlook 2011 and Outlook 2016 to the Desktop to create a .mbox file. Both crashed when I tried to import into Apple Mail. This is new behavior. Note each folder and subfolder have to be dragged individually.

     

    I used Emailchemy to convert Outlook 2011 Identity as .mbox file and Mail was able to import the .mbox files. You can try the demo first to see it it works before purchasing. Emailchemy will create all folders and subfolders. Apple Mail will import all .mbox files with one import.

     

    Emailchemy $29.95

    http://www.weirdkid.com/products/emailchemy/


    Is there anything else I can do to transfer my Outlook folders to Mail?

     

    Yes, in Outlook you can upload the local "On My Computer" folder to an IMAP account. While this will take some time to upload, it's a free option that works great. Gmail and outlook.com IMAP account have larger storage than iCloud IMAP.

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Feb 10, 2016 3:24 PM in response to markymcc74
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 10, 2016 3:24 PM in response to markymcc74

    Just found this app that converts .olm file in App Store. Converts messages and contacts. However you can drag contacts to Desktop as .vcf files and then drag into Apple Contacts. Easy peasy...

     

    Converter for OLM File $7.99

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Feb 10, 2016 3:54 PM in response to dianeoforegon
    Level 5 (5,753 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 10, 2016 3:54 PM in response to dianeoforegon

    I just tried to download a demo for Converter for OLM File. The web site for the developer is unavailable and email sent to his email address given bounces. I would be hesitant to buy this app.

  • by mlevitt,

    mlevitt mlevitt Jul 17, 2016 9:42 PM in response to markymcc74
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 17, 2016 9:42 PM in response to markymcc74

    I ran into this as well but solved it. The solution is elsewhere on the forum, but I thought I'd just paste it in here...

     

    Some background: The problem is that the output .mbox file has the wrong line endings and the mail import can't handle it. Windows normally ends lines with a carriage return and linefeed while a unix system (Mac is unix under the covers) uses only a linefeed. The cause of the crash (I suspect) is that the .mbox output by Outlook has only carriage returns. You could buy an app from the store to translate an OLM file, but it can be done for free if you're willing to try a few commands at the terminal.

     

    Steps

    1. Make a new folder and copy your .mbox files in. They should be the only files in this folder. The lines beneath assume you have this folder on your desktop and it's called "importing'.
    2. Copy the folder to a new location as a backup if you can't recreate them easily.
    3. Open the 'Terminal' app (found in Applications/Utilities/ in the Finder).
    4. Run these commands (I suggest you copy / paste):

      cd ~/Desktop/importing
      perl -pi -e 's|\r|\n|g'  *.mbox

    This may a while to process all of the .mbox files if they're large, but when it's done, you should be able to open the .mbox files with the TextEdit app or just run the import:

    • Open Mail
    • File -> Import Mailboxes...
    • Select "Files in box format'
    • navigate to Desktop, select the 'importing' folder
    • click 'Choose' and...
    • revel in the glory!
  • by CtotheP,

    CtotheP CtotheP Oct 5, 2016 7:25 AM in response to mlevitt
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 5, 2016 7:25 AM in response to mlevitt

    mlevitt this was amazing!!! Worked perfectly! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our company upgraded to O365/Office 2016 for the Mac and it was a nightmare, now I can run everything natively