DIY Solutions to Open MSG file on Mac Without Outlook

Summary: Opening MSG files on a Mac without Microsoft Outlook can be challenging, as MSG is a proprietary format of MS Outlook, primarily designed for Windows. When you save an individual Outlook email on a Windows PC using drag-and-drop, it gets saved as an MSG file. Conversely, on a Mac, performing a similar action results in an EML file. Therefore, Mac’s native applications don’t support MSG files directly. This guide provides effective methods to open MSG files on a Mac without relying on Outlook.

What are MSG Files?

When you save an individual Outlook email locally using drag-and-drop, it will get saved as an MSG file. It is the proprietary file format of MS Outlook. Anyone can easily create an MSG file simply by dragging and dropping an Outlook email to the desktop or any destination. If you have Outlook installed on your PC, you can easily open an MSG file.

For mac users, Outlook installation is not sufficient to access MSG files because Mac Outlook does not support this file format. In mac, when you drag and drop an email, it will create an EML file. Now, we will show you different methods to open MSG files without Outlook on Mac.

How to Open MSG File on Mac Without Outlook

If you have MSG files and want to open them, no need to worry. Although mac Outlook does not support MSG file format, you can still open MSG files. The manual methods are effective to open MSG files, but they are suitable when you have only a few MSG files. Accessing numerous Outlook email files is quite easy through automated solutions. Below we suggest some easy DIY solutions.

1. Change the File Extension

One straightforward approach is to change the MSG file extension to .eml, allowing you to open it with Apple Mail or other email clients that support EML files.

Steps:

  1. Locate the MSG File: Find the MSG file you wish to open.
  2. Rename the File: Right-click on the file and select “Rename.”
  3. Change the Extension: Replace .msg with .eml and press Enter.
  4. Confirm the Change: If prompted, confirm the extension change.
  5. Open the File: Double-click the renamed file to open it in Apple Mail.

Note: This method may not preserve all formatting and attachments.

2. Utilize Outlook.com

Outlook.com, Microsoft’s web-based email service, can be used to view MSG files.

Steps:

  1. Compose a New Email: Log in to your Outlook.com account and create a new email.
  2. Attach the MSG File: Attach the MSG file to the email.
  3. Save as Draft: Save the email as a draft.
  4. Open the Draft: Open the draft email; the attached MSG file should be viewable within the browser.

Note: This method requires an active internet connection and raises potential privacy concerns since the file is uploaded to a web service.

Open MSG File on Mac With Professional Solution

If you are looking for a sure-shot solution to access your MSG file content without Outlook on Mac, the best way is to use the professional MSG file converter tool.

DRS Softech MSG Converter Tool for Mac is the most reliable solution to convert your MSG file into various accessible file formats like PDF, HTML, PNG, etc. You can easily open your MSG file on Mac PC. This application provides you with various advanced features to simplify file conversion. Moreover, you can use the software on your PC with any version of Windows OS.

Working Steps of Software to Open MSG file on Mac

  • Visit the official DRS Softech website and download the MSG Converter Tool for Mac.
  • Click on the “Select File” button to browse and choose individual MSG files, or select “Select Folder” to import a directory containing multiple MSG files.
  • From the “Save As” dropdown menu, select the desired output format (e.g., PST, EML, PDF, MBOX, etc.
  • Utilize features like the “Mail Filter” to specify a date range for emails to convert.
  • Click on the “Destination Path” button to choose where the converted files will be saved.
  • After configuring all settings, click the “Convert” button to initiate the process.

These are some of the simple and feasible solutions through which you can open MSG files without MS Outlook installation. You can adopt any method at your convenience.

Conclusion

Accessing MSG files on a Mac without Outlook is achievable through various methods, each with its considerations regarding convenience, security, and functionality. For occasional access, changing the file extension or using Outlook.com may suffice. For regular use, investing in a reliable applicationlike DRS Softech MSG Converter. Always ensure that the chosen method aligns with your security requirements, especially when handling sensitive information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can MSG files be opened without Outlook?

Yes, you can open MSG files without Outlook in your system. There are multiple solutions available that enable you to access your MSG file content. Among all the methods, the best approach is to use the professional MSG Converter Tool. You can convert the MSG file into any desired file format and open it through any native application.

How do I download an email from MSG format?

You can easily download an email from MSG format by choosing any of the below solutions.
●        Rename your MSG file
●        Send it to Outlook.com
●        Using an MSG File Viewer Tool
●        Using an MSG File Converter Tool

Does Mac Outlook not support MSG file format?

No, Mac Outlook does not support MSG file format. Instead, it supports EML file format. When you download an email via drag-and-drop functionality, it will get saved as an EML file.

What is the most reliable way to open an MSG file without Outlook on Mac?

The best and most reliable solution to access your MSG file is to use the advanced MSG file converter and convert it to an accessible file format like PDF, PNG, HTML, etc.

About The Author:

Shivam is a digital marketer and technical content writer at DRS Solution®, specializing in topics like databases, email recovery, and migration solutions. She enjoys researching and crafting content that assists database administrators, businesses, and beginners in resolving various issues related to MS SQL, MySQL, and Microsoft Exchange.

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