How to Import MBOX to iCloud With Attachments & Folder Structure?

Summary: Expert guide to import MBOX to iCloud using Apple Mail on macOS and Thunderbird on Windows for free. Learn the expert-suggested way to bulk upload large MBOX files to iCloud Mail with complete integrity using the 4n6 dedicated tool.

MBOX Files V/S iCloud Mail Account

MBOX is an email file format natively supported by many email clients like Apple Mail, Thunderbird, and Google Takeout, etc. Users rely on the MBOX format to store multiple emails with attachments collectively.

iCloud Mail is an email service offered to its users by Apple. An iCloud email account is linked to the user’s Apple ID. When you create an Apple ID, you automatically get a free iCloud email address. iCloud easily integrates with the Apple Mail app on macOS and iOS devices to easily manage emails, contacts, and other data across devices in one go.

Why Upload MBOX File to iCloud Email Account?

MBOX email files offer great functionality when stored locally on your desktop. Their usability is enhanced when MBOX files are imported into iCloud, like email services.

• Better Accessibility: MBOX files are easily accessible if you are configured with an account like Thunderbird. However, if you are not, you may face issues. Hence, in such a scenario, syncing them with iCloud is the best option.
• Compiling Email Data: iCloud offers a convenient way to centralize your email management alongside other Apple services like iCloud Drive, Contacts, Calendar, and Notes.
• Easy Integration with Apple Services: iCloud is strongly integrated with Apple’s ecosystem, including iOS devices (iPhone and iPad), Mac computers, and even Windows computers. Importing MBOX files into iCloud ensures that your email data is readily available and synchronized across all your Apple devices.

Users also add MBOX to iCloud Mail when migrating email services, for better cloud security, and restore locally stored MBOX data into the iCloud Mail account.

Import MBOX to iCloud Mail on macOS – Using Mac Mail 

Mac/ Apple Mail natively supports MBOX format. Thus, importing .mbox files to an iCloud email account is simple. The whole import process is carried out in two phases:

Phase 1: Add MBOX Files in Apple Mail

1. First, launch the Apple Mail application on your macOS.
2. Navigate to the File and select Import Mailboxes
3. In the dialog box, choose Files in MBOX format. 
4. Click Continue. 
5. Browse and select the .mbox file and click Choose. 
6. The import process will begin, and the MBOX file will appear under the On My Mac section as a new mailbox.

Phase 2: Configure iCloud in Apple Mail and Import MBOX 

1. Navigate to System Preferences and select Apple ID & iCloud
2. Make sure Mail is checked.
3. Your iCloud account will appear in the sidebar in Apple Mail.
4. Next, create a new folder in your iCloud account
5. Next, open the MBOX file in the On My Mac section
6. Select All emails (Cmd+A)
7. Next, paste or drag and drop it into the newly created folder in the iCloud account.

This is how to import MBOX in iCloud Mail manually using native tools. This method is suitable for most professionals.

Import MBOX Files to iCloud on Windows – Using Thunderbird

Thunderbird, along with the ImportExportNG add-on, is a free and alternate way to upload MBOX to iCloud free of cost. Although this method also works on Mac, experts recommend using it as an alternative way on Windows.

1. Install the Mozilla Thunderbird application on your desktop.
2. Configure your iCloud email account in Thunderbird.
3. Go to the Navigation Menu >> Themes & Extension.
4. Search for ImportExportNG and Add.
5. Go to Local Folders and right-click.
6. Choose ImportExportNG >> Import >> MBOX.
7. Select the MBOX files and press Open.
8. Right-Click on the newly imported folder and choose Move To.
9. Select the iCloud account as the destination to import MBOX to iCloud.

Tip: You can also create a new folder in your iCloud account to specifically keep imported MBOX files for better organisation.

Note: When adding an iCloud account to Thunderbird (a non-native email client), use App-Specific Password.

Limitations of the Email Client Approach to Upload MBOX to iCloud

• The MBOX to IMAP is fully dependent on how the email client processes data.
• If your MBOX files are large, Apple Mail may struggle to import them, leading to difficulties in importing to iCloud Webmail.
• After importing, you need to manually organize emails into folders in your iCloud account.
• Folder hierarchy is often lost upon trying to import MBOX to iCloud using email clients.
• You may lose certain attachments as large attachments over 20MB fail to get uploaded.
• Due to IMAP throttling issues, you can only upload a few hundred emails at a time.

Thus, you encounter some issues while importing an MBOX file to iCloud via Mac Mail. To avoid these issues, it is better to import MBOX email files directly to iCloud Mail without involving any email app.

Steps to Bulk Import MBOX to iCloud – Using Pro Tool

1. Download, install, and start the software to import MBOX to iCloud.
   
2. Now, click the Open tab, choose Email Data File. Select MBOX Files and select the Choose Files or Choose Folder option.
   
3. Once all the files have been imported into the tool, you may preview them.
   
4. Then, click the Export tab and select IMAP in order to import MBOX file to iCloud.
   
5. Enter your iCloud email address and password. After that, click the Save button to import MBOX files to iCloud.
   

This is how you export an MBOX file into iCloud Mail. As you can see, the software is easy to use and uncomplicated, making it a secure & reliable alternative for you. Let’s learn more about it right now.

Expert Tip: Ensure that you have enough storage space in your iCloud account. A free iCloud account with an Apple ID only has 5GB of storage.

Key Features of the Tool to Simplify Uploading MBOX to iCloud

• Support for MBOX Files: This application supports MBOX files from a wide range of email applications and email servers. It accepts MBOX files from Netscape Mail, Berkeley Mail, Google Takeout, etc.
• Batch Data Transfer: You may mass import MBOX to iCloud with this tool. Import MBOX in iCloud without any restriction on the number of files or file size.
• Import with Attachments: In addition to exporting emails, this software also uploads contacts and attachments to iCloud. All of your general characteristics are important.
• Preview Files: MBOX files may also be viewed with the tool. It enables you to preview every email, contact, and any piece of information associated with your MBOX files.
• Includes Headers: The software allows you to add the MBOX emails’ headers during the migration procedure. You will be able to navigate the complete email path, its sender, and recipient with headers.
• Search Option: Utilizing the MBOX to iCloud Converter’s powerful search feature, you can easily find certain properties among a huge number of MBOX files.
• Compatibility: The software is compatible with Windows operating systems. You may use the tool to export an MBOX file to iCloud on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, and below editions.

In Conclusion

You must import MBOX data before you can access it on iCloud. As a result, we have offered you the best procedure. A specialized tool is the best way to import MBOX to iCloud. The tool is entirely safe and secure and offers a trial version for the user’s convenience.