FreeNo account, no upload, no app

Open MBOX files, even huge ones.

Browse, search and read every email in an MBOX mailbox from Gmail Takeout, Thunderbird or Apple Mail, right here in your browser.

Nothing uploadedGmail Takeout readySearch every message
MBOX

Drop your MBOX file here

or choose it from your computer (Thunderbird files without an extension too). It is read in place and never leaves your device.

Read on this computerMany gigabytesWorks offline
Opening… Finding every message in the mailbox. Your file stays on this computer.
MBOX
Read on this computer
Convert to PST
    How to open an MBOX file

    Three steps. Nothing to install.

    1

    Choose the MBOX file

    Drop it on the box above or pick it. A Gmail Takeout file, a Thunderbird folder file or the mbox file from an Apple Mail export.

    2

    Browse and search

    Every message is listed newest first. Search by subject or sender to find one in seconds.

    3

    Read and save

    Open a message to read it, and click an attachment to save it to your computer.

    What is an MBOX file?

    A whole mailbox in one file.

    An MBOX file stores many emails one after another in a single file. Gmail's Google Takeout exports your mail as MBOX (often one large file called All mail Including Spam and Trash.mbox), Thunderbird keeps each folder as an MBOX file without an extension, and Apple Mail exports mailboxes in it.

    Takeout files are often several gigabytes, which most free viewers refuse. This one first finds where each message starts, then reads only the message you open, so a large mailbox lists quickly and your computer's memory is not filled.

    Apple Mail exports a folder named, for example, Inbox.mbox. On a Mac, right-click it, choose Show Package Contents, and drop the file named mbox inside. Moving to Outlook instead? MBOX to PST converts the mailbox, and the Gmail Takeout guide walks through it.

    Private by design

    Your mail stays on your computer.

    The viewer is our mail engine running inside this browser tab. It reads the file from your disk, and no copy of your mail is ever made on a server. It also opens Outlook PST and OST files, and any of the other formats, whichever page you drop them on.

    Gmail Takeout MBOX files
    Thunderbird folder files
    Apple Mail exports
    Search by subject or sender
    Attachments and inline images
    Files of many gigabytes
    Gmail labels (every message is listed once)
    Folder trees (one MBOX is one folder)
    FAQ

    MBOX Viewer questions.

    What is an MBOX file?

    An MBOX file is a mailbox: many emails stored one after another in a single file. Gmail Takeout, Thunderbird and Apple Mail use it to export or store mail.

    How do I open a Gmail Takeout MBOX file?

    Unzip the Takeout download, find the .mbox file in the Mail folder and drop it on the viewer above. Every message is listed, newest first, and you can search and read them.

    Can it open a very large MBOX file?

    Yes. The viewer reads only the start of each message to list it and the full message only when you open it, so files of many gigabytes open on an ordinary computer. Listing a very large mailbox takes a little while the first time.

    Where are Thunderbird's MBOX files?

    In your Thunderbird profile, under Mail or ImapMail. Each folder is a file with no extension, such as Inbox or Sent, next to an .msf file. Drop the file without the extension.

    Is my MBOX file uploaded?

    No. The engine runs inside your browser tab and reads the file from your disk. Nothing is sent to a server, which matters for a whole mailbox.

    Does it show Gmail labels?

    Not yet. Takeout stores each message once with its labels in a header, and the viewer lists every message in one list. Search by subject or sender to find what you need.

    Can I move the MBOX into Outlook?

    Yes. MBOX to PST converts the mailbox into a PST file that Outlook can open, and checks every message before you save it.