Easy Ways to Export Zoho Mail to MBOX Format

Written By Md Shoaib
Updated on December 17th, 2025

Daniel’s Issue: “I want to back up all my Zoho Mail emails locally and use them in Thunderbird. Is there any simple way to export Zoho Mail to MBOX without losing attachments?”

Introduction: Zoho Mail is a powerful cloud-based email service used widely for business communication. However, many users need to export Zoho emails for backup or migration to email clients. Unfortunately, Zoho does not offer a direct conversion option. Therefore, this makes the process slightly complex. This guide explains the manual method to export emails from Zoho to MBOX. Also, introduces a CloudMigration Zoho Backup Tool that ensures complete data preservation.

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Table of Contents

Understanding Zoho Mail vs MBOX Format

Criteria	Zoho Mail	MBOX Format
Storage Type	Cloud-based mailbox	Local file format
Accessibility	Needs Zoho login	Works with Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc.
Email Export Support	Limited export options	Easy import/export support
File Structure	Database-style folders	Stores all emails in one file
Backup Flexibility	Requires configuration	Ideal for offline backup

Manual Workflow to Export Zoho Mail to MBOX

Zoho Mail does not provide a direct MBOX export option. However, you can go for the manual configuration. You can use the desktop email clients like Thunderbird to achieve this. The following are the steps to convert Zoho Mail to MBOX manually.

Step 1. Generate App Password in Zoho Mail

Firstly, sign in to Zoho Mail.
Then, go to My Account and click Security.
Now, click on App Passwords.
Generate a new password and copy it.

Step 2. Configure Zoho Mail in Thunderbird

After that, open Thunderbird on your system.
Click Add Mail Account.
Then, enter your Zoho Mail credentials.
Use these IMAP settings:

Incoming (IMAP): imap.zoho.com | Port 993 | SSL
Outgoing (SMTP): smtp.zoho.com | Port 465 | SSL

Step 3. Export Zoho Mail to MBOX

After syncing, right-click the mailbox folder.
Further, choose Export/Backup options (using ImportExportTools NG add-on).
Lastly, save the folders as MBOX files.

Limitations of the Manual Guide to Shift Zoho Mail to MBOX

Manual process requires Thunderbird installation and configuration.
The export option is only possible via add-ons.
This process is slow for large mailboxes.
There is no option for selective backup (date, sender, folder).
Sometimes, there is a risk of incomplete export due to sync interruptions.

Secured workflow to Import Zoho Mail Emails to MBOX

The CloudMigration Zoho Backup Tool provides a direct way to migrate Zoho Mail without any external setup. It ensures complete mailbox preservation, including attachments, formatting, and metadata. The tool allows users to migrate Zoho Mail to iCloud and other email platforms. Also, this is the highly recommended software, as it converts multiple emails simultaneously. Moreover, this comes with a free demo version for non-tech users.

One-Time Migration Service Available

If you prefer expert assistance, you can opt for the One-Time Zoho Mail Backup Service. Here, professionals will securely export Zoho Mail to MBOX and deliver it without any downtime or risk.

Automated Guide to Use the Software

Firstly, download and install the CloudMigration Zoho Backup Tool and click Continue to move.

Now, select Zoho and enter the Zoho Mail Account credentials.

After that, expand the folder tree to preview all the mails → Next.

Then, choose MBOX as the saving file format → Next.

Finally, apply the additional filters and click Start Process to proceed.

Key Features of the Tool to Export Zoho Mail to MBOX

Export Zoho Mail to PST and more.
Preserves folder hierarchy and metadata intact.
Supports removing duplicates for cleaner storage.
Allows selective backup with advanced filters.
Also, it generates detailed backup reports.
Additionally, it has a user-friendly interface suited for all users.

Real-Life Example
A small business owner needed to migrate old Zoho email conversations into Thunderbird for archiving. Manual sync took too long and kept getting stuck. Using the CloudMigration Zoho Backup Tool for exporting Zoho emails into MBOX in one go. The folder structure was preserved, and he could import all data into Thunderbird effortlessly.

Note: You can also explore how to migrate Zoho to Yahoo Mail and to other supported email clients.

Conclusion

To conclude, exporting Zoho Mail to MBOX manually is possible but slow. Also, it is complicated due to client configuration and add-on dependency. For secure and accurate export, the Zoho Backup Tool is the most efficient solution to export Zoho Mail to MBOX. Whether you need a full mailbox archive or selective folder export, this method ensures a smooth, reliable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I export my Zoho Mail emails to MBOX?

Ans. Yes, you can migrate Zoho Mail to MBOX, but not directly from Zoho. You either need to configure Zoho Mail in a desktop client like Thunderbird manually. Or you can use an automated CloudMigration Zoho backup tool to convert Zoho Mail emails to MBOX.

Q2. How do I export Zoho Mail to MBOX format?

Ans. You can shift Zoho Mail to MBOX either by using a manual workflow. Alternatively, you can directly move Zoho emails to MBOX using a professional Zoho Backup Tool.

Q3. Is there any data loss during the Zoho Mail to MBOX export process?

Ans. No, if you use a reliable CloudMigration Zoho Backup Tool. It preserves folder hierarchy, attachments, metadata, inline images, and email formatting during MBOX export, ensuring zero data loss.

Q4. What is the easiest way to export Zoho Mail to MBOX?

Ans. The easiest method is using an automated Zoho Mail to MBOX converter. This exports emails directly without setting up email clients or add-ons. Also, this method is faster, safer, and suitable for large mailboxes.

About The Author:

Md Shoaib

Hi, I’m Md Shoaib! I enjoy writing about technologies and helping my readers with their queries, and I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself and grow. Professionally, I work as a Digital Marketer, where I specialize in SEO and Copywriting.