How to Download EML Files from Gmail? Best Approaches

Jamie Kaler ~ January 20, 2025 ~ 7 Minutes Reading

As switching, merging, or migrating emails has become crucial nowadays, emails contain important information about your personal and business data. Due to this, when users switch to another email account or email service, no user leaves their emails on their old account, and this need has increased after Google’s retention policy. For this reason, most users want to download EML files from Gmail to easily manage and access them on various email clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Zoho Mail, Zimbra, etc. Here, we will share top three techniques to Get EML file from Gmail using Gmail to EML Converter.
As every email user knows, Gmail offers free email services with 15 GB of free cloud storage to easily access emails from anywhere or any device without depending on any specific machine. It also provides regular updates, understanding user requirements, and updates its platform for security purposes. However, sometimes users want to download EML files from Gmail to migrate Gmail folder to another account.
EML stands for electronic mail. It stores individual emails with their contents, such as the email body, subject, sender, recipients, etc. The EML file is created by Microsoft and is compatible with various email applications, such as Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, Apple Mail, and more.

Motives to Get EML File from Gmail

  • It is legal for forensic purposes, as it contains the complete structure of an email for better investigation and analysis as evidence.
  • The EML file preserves its properties as they appear on Gmail; it is also reliable for recipients who see the exact email as they require.
  • It ensures that you have a backup copy of emails and it helps you to protect against accidental deletion, cyber attack, or from hackers.
  • It is also helpful to access their emails offline as an EML file, supported by various email applications and it’s especially beneficial for users who travel frequently or have limited connectivity.
  • When migration to another email client or service It makes the migration process easy as an EML file compatible with various email clients such as Apple Mail, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail supports EML format for importing messages.

Method 1. How to Download EML Files from Gmail Using Gmail to EML File Converter?

If you want to export a few or bulk numbers of EML files from a Gmail Account then we recommend you to opt for the Jagware Gmail Backup Tool as it allows you to export a single or bulk number of Gmail accounts without losing any information. This software has been completely developed with advanced algorithms to get accurate structure with maintained attributes.

Steps to Get EML File from Gmail

  1. Download and install “Gmail to EML File Converter” on your system.Run Gmail to EML File Converter
  2. Enter “Gmail email address” and click on “Continue with Google”.Click on Continue with Google
  3. Fill “Gmail password” and click on Next option.Fill Gmail password
  4. Check on “Select All” and press on “Continue” to download Google mailbox data.Accept Permission
  5. Choose “Google mailbox folder” as you want to migrate.Select Google Mailbox folder
  6. Browse the “EML file” option in the list of select saving features.Select EML File
  7. Now provide a “destination path” and select advance filter options.Browse destination path
  8. Choose “File Naming options” and select advanced filters.Select File Naming option
  9. Press Backup to start “Download EML Files from Gmail”.Start Download EML Files from Gmail

Model Characteristics of Gmail to EML File Converter

  • It allows you to migrate Gmail to Zoho Mail, Rediffmail, Yahoo Mail, Thunderbird, Outlook, and all IMAP-supported email platforms.
  • This application has been specially created with an easy-to-navigate interface, making it easy to use for both professional and individual users.
  • You can also export Gmail emails to PDF, PST, TXT, HTML, and 30+ selected saving options.
  • With this wizard, you can also use filter options to export only sent folders, exclude exporting email body content and attachments, perform incremental backups, exclude attachments, and more.
  • It offers OAuth authentication, allowing you to perform the task without generating an app password, as it directly authenticates your Gmail mailbox and ensures complete security by not saving your credentials.

Method 2. How to Get EML File from Gmail Manually?

If you want to download EML from Gmail then you can follow the instructions as we have explained below:

  1. First, visit “Gmail”: mail.google.com and login your email account.
  2. Open email as you want to “Save as” an EML file.
  3. Click on the “Three-dot icon” in the upper right corner of the email.
  4. Select “Download Message” from the dropdown menu. Now, email will be downloaded as an EML file.

Shortcoming of Manual Methods

  • You can only download one email at once. If you want to save multiple emails then you need to repeat the whole process to download each email individually.
  • While Attachments contained in the EML file some complex email formats or large size attachments will not be preserved.
  • Gmail doesn’t offer any feature to bulk download EML files from Gmail.
  • Depending on your browser, the downloaded EML file might open automatically in the browser and associated email client which may not always be desired.

Method 3. How to Download EML Files from Gmail Using Mozilla Thunderbird?

If you have installed Mozilla Thunderbird on your computer then you can follow the instructions as we have explained below:

  1. First, open “Mozilla Thunderbird” on your pc and click on “Add Account”.
  2. Now, Enter “Gmail” username, email address, app password then press continue.
  3. Choose “IMAP” as configuration and click on Next.
  4. Now, open the “mailbox folder” as you want to download.
  5. Press CTRL+A and right click on it and then click on “Save As”.
  6. Set location and “Select folder” options as appear on POP up.

Drawbacks of Using Mozilla Thunderbird

  • To download an EML file from Gmail you first need to enable IMAP, configure Mozilla Thunderbird with your email account.
  • Only emails that have already been downloaded and synced in Thunderbird can be saved as EML files.
  • Thunderbird may face compatibility issues with certain email service providers, especially when having custom configuration or non-IMAP email accounts.

Recurring Questions about Download EML Files from Gmail

Can I download emails from Gmail?

Yes, You can download emails from Gmail by the Download Message option in the email actions. It allows you to save individual emails as EML files, which can be accessed offline using Free EML Viewer or online into other email clients for further use.


Does Gmail support EML?

Gmail doesn’t natively support EML file but you can download email as EML file through the Gmail web interface. This format can be opened and accessed in most email clients and allows you to retain the original email content and attachments.


Can a Gmail email be saved as a File?

Yes, Gmail email can be saved as a file. You can download email as EML files which preserve the message, attachments, and metadata. Alternatively you can use Gmail to EML File Converter to save Gmail email as EML for offline use.

Final Thoughts

In this guide, we have outlined the best methods to download EML files from Gmail manually, using email clients or Gmail to EML File Converter. The manual approach is only reliable for a small number of emails, and Thunderbird requires email configuration that’s not easy for all users as it requires technical expertise. So, we recommend you choose Gmail to EML Migration Tool as it offers fully maintained results without losing any single information.