A Complete Guide to Import Zimbra Emails to Thunderbird

Why Do Users Import Zimbra to Thunderbird?

• Thunderbird is free and open-source.
• It is easy to manage multiple email accounts.
• Thunderbird provides better local email backup.
• Works smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Unlike Zimbra emails, it allows offline access to emails.
• Additionally, offers advanced search and organization features.

Methods to Import Zimbra Emails to Thunderbird

There are two main ways to complete this task:

• Manual Method (Free but limited)
• Professional Method (Recommended for complete and safe migration)

Manual Method to Export Zimbra Mail to Thunderbird

This method works best when you have access to your Zimbra account and want to transfer a limited number of emails.

Step 01: Export Emails from Zimbra

1. Firstly, log in to your Zimbra Webmail account.
2. After that, click on the Preferences tab.
3. Now, select Import/Export.
4. Under Export, choose:
   1. Type: Account
   2. Source: All folders or selected folders
5. Next, click Export.
6. Zimbra will download your mailbox as a TGZ file.

Step 02: Extract the TGZ File

1. Right-click the TGZ file.
2. Further, select Extract Here.
3. Afterwards, open the extracted folder.
4. Locate the email files (usually in .eml format).

Step 03: Import Emails into Thunderbird

1. Next, open Thunderbird.
2. Create or select an existing account.
3. Then, right-click on the folder.
4. Select ImportExportTools NG (Add-on required).
5. Click Import EML files.
6. In the end, select the extracted email files. Click Open.
7. Your Zimbra emails will now appear in Thunderbird.

Limitations: Manually Import Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird

• The manual method takes a lot of time to perform the process.
• It requires technical knowledge and is not suitable for large mailboxes.
• Folder structure may change, and risk of missing emails.
• Furthermore, the manual method requires additional add-ons.

Professional Tool to Import Zimbra Emails to Thunderbird

The DRS Zimbra Mail Converter is a quick, reliable, and hassle-free process. It allows you to convert a single or multiple Zimbra emails at once without any data loss. It preserves the original email data formatting, structure, and metadata during the entire process. With its user-friendly interface, every user can easily use it. A free version of this tool to understand its features and performance. This tool is highly compatible with all Windows and Mac versions.

Simple Steps to Convert Zimbra TGZ to Thunderbird Account

1. Download and install the DRS Zimbra Mail Converter Software.
2. Choose “Select Files” or “Select Folder” to add your Zimbra emails.
3. You can preview and select the Zimbra emails to convert. Hit Next.
4. Then, pick MBOX as the Saving Format from the drop-down list.
5. Lastly, apply advanced features and filters as per your needs. Click Convert.

How the Tool Maintains Data Integrity

The professional DRS Tool protects: Email attachments, Email formatting, Sender and receiver details, Subject and date information, and Folder hierarchy. Everything remains the same after migration.

Conclusion

In this technical blog, we explored the manual method and a professional tool to import Zimbra emails to Thunderbird. The manual method works only for small migrations and requires multiple steps. It may also cause data loss if not done carefully. A professional DRS Zimbra Converter Tool is the safest and easiest solution. It allows you to convert multiple Zimbra emails at once without any data loss. This tool is highly suggested for both personal and business users.

Frequently Asked Questions