How to Open EML Files in Gmail? Best Methods Explained

Jamie Kaler ~ January 6, 2025 ~ 7 Minutes Reading

Are you worried about the process of opening an EML file in Gmail? With the increasing popularity of Gmail, most users want to import EML files into Gmail. Here, we have suggested the top two methods: manual method and one using an EML to Gmail Converter.
EML stands for electronic mail, and it stores individual email messages on the computer. It is used by various email clients such as Mozilla Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, Apple Mail, and Microsoft Outlook. It contains the sender, receiver, subject, message body, embedded attachments, signature, CC, BCC, and more.
Gmail is a free email service provider, and it has billions of users worldwide. It offers 15 GB of free enhanced storage to easily store user mailbox data, and it can be accessed anytime or anywhere without depending on any specific machine. It offers various Google app integrations with other apps such as Google Photos, Google Meet, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and so on.

Necessity of Importing EML files to Gmail Accounts

  • Users often need to consolidate their mailbox data at one place. Gmail comes in prime choice as it allows you to easily organize and access them quickly.
  • Unlike local storage, Gmail offers cloud based storage to easily manage their emails from any device anywhere without needing any specific software.
  • Gmail offers advanced storage security such as Two-factor authentication and robust email management to keep users stay protected and keep their data unaffected.
  • Gmail offers seamless integration with other Google Workspace apps such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides and so more.
  • Uploading EML to Gmail can serve as backup as it safeguard emails from data loss due to local hardware failure or accidental deletion.

How to Batch Open EML Files in Gmail Using Expert Recommended Approach?

If you have multiple EML files or bundles of them and want to directly import them into Gmail, then we recommend you opt for Jagware EML Converter. It is capable of making a direct migration to Gmail and offers valuable advanced email security to prevent any impact on the source file.

Steps to import EML files directly to Google Workspace

  1. Download and run “EML to Gmail Converter” on your machine.\Launch EML to Gmail Converter
  2. Click on “select files or folder” according to user need and choose EML files.Select EML files
  3. Software “loaded EML files” then select it as you want to convert it.Software loaded EML files
  4. Choose “Gmail/Google Workspace” in the list of select saving optionsSelect Gmail
  5. Enter “Google Mail email address and password” to authorize email accountFill Google credentials
  6. Then, choose “advanced filter” and press “Convert” to start importing EML files to GmailStart Open EML Files in Gmail

Highlighted Features of EML to Gmail Converter

  • You can easily convert EML to PDF, PST, MBOX, TXT, HTML, and 30+ formats.
  • This software is specially created with a simple infrastructure to be easily used by any corporate or individual users who may have limited technical knowledge.
  • With this application, you can also use advanced filter options to convert necessary files based on date range, subject, sender, or recipients, which is also helpful for avoiding unwanted emails.
  • This software supports dual modes: select files or select folders, allowing you to choose multiple EML files or a folder to convert the entire EML folder as per your requirements.
  • It also helps to import EML to Outlook, Gmail, Office 365, Yahoo, and all IMAP-supported email platforms.

How to Import EML Files to Gmail Using Mozilla Thunderbird?

To read the EML file and connect to Gmail. You need to connect your Gmail account with Mozilla Thunderbird then you can easily import EML files using Import/Export NG Tools add-ins. Now, perform the step-by-step instructions as we have explained below:
Part 1. Enable IMAP in your Gmail Account:

  1. Visit “Gmail” and login to your “Google Mail account”.
  2. Find “Gear options” as appear in the upper right corner and click on “See All Settings”.
  3. Navigate to the “forwarding POP and IMAP” tab then click on “Enable IMAP”.
  4. Press “Save Changes” at the bottom then “Enable Two-step verification” and visit App Password.
  5. Click on “Generate App Password” and choose “Mail” options.
  6. App Password appears on your screen, copy it and “Save it” as it is used in configure Thunderbird with Gmail.

Part 2. Configure Gmail with Thunderbird:

  1. Download and run “Mozilla Thunderbird” if not already installed.
  2. Go to “Account Settings” and click on “Add Mail Account”.
  3. Enter your “Gmail email address, username and App Password” as you have generated earlier.
  4. Choose “IMAP” as configuration and click on login.
  5. Now click on the “Three horizontal lines” as appear on the upper right corner.
  6. Click on “Add-ons and Themes”.
  7. Search for “Import/Export NG Tools” and install it.
  8. Restart “Thunderbird” to activate add-ins.

Part 3. Import EML Files to Gmail Account:

  1. Right-click on your “Gmail account folder” where you wish to import EML files.
  2. Now, choose “Import/Export NG Tools” then Import EML Messages.
  3. Then select “Individual EML Message or All EML Messages” from Directory as your needs.
  4. Right click on the “Newly created folder” and select “Import/Export NG Tools” and then Import messages.
  5. Choose the “EML files” as you want to import and press Open.
  6. Wait for the synchronization after it appears on your Gmail account.

Boundaries of Open EML Files in Gmail Using Mozilla Thunderbird

  • Configuring Gmail with Thunderbird contains several steps such as enabling IMAP, generating app password, configure Gmail with Thunderbird then transfer Thunderbird to Gmail which may be not suitable for non-technical users.
  • Importing a large number of EML files can be a time taking process as you need manual selection and synchronization process.
  • A stable and fast internet connection is essential for synchronization between Thunderbird and Gmail.
  • Large scale synchronization may result in errors, such as incomplete transfer or missing emails in Gmail especially if the process gets interrupted.
  • It is not managed carefully, importing into existing Gmail folders can overwrite or mix up existing emails leading to confusion.

Common Queries about Open EML files in Gmail Account

How do I open an EML file in Gmail?

To open EML files in Gmail using Thunderbird you need to configure a Gmail account with Thunderbird then you can import EML files in Gmail. After synchronization you can open EML files in Gmail. As its alternative, we recommend you to opt “EML to Gmail Converter” as it allows you to directly open EML files in your Gmail account without affecting any single attribute.


How to open Outlook email attachment in Gmail?

Download Outlook email attachment locally. If it’s an EML file you can open it using Thunderbird or using Free EML Viewer. You can also forward email from Outlook to Gmail to easily access it on your Gmail Account.


How do I edit an EML file in Gmail?

You can directly edit an EML file in Gmail. To edit, you need to open the EML file in Thunderbird, modify the content if allowed, otherwise copy it and compose a new message and resend it on your Gmail account after editing.

Ending Remarks

In this tutorial, we have outlined the best tried and tested approach to open EML files in a Gmail account by configuring a Gmail account with Thunderbird, or you can use an EML to Gmail Converter. After comparing both methods, the EML to Gmail Migration Tool comes as the first choice, as it makes the process fully automated. With the manual method, you need to enable IMAP, configure Gmail with Thunderbird, and then import the files, which makes it a more tedious and time-consuming process, with no guarantee of maintained results.