How to Open Outlook MSG File on Mac Without Mac Outlook?

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Written By Kumar Raj
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh
Published On July 19th, 2024
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

If you have tried to open Outlook MSG file on Mac OS but can’t access it. Then, you aren’t the one you have raised the same query. Many Mac users significantly search to access the MSG file on their Mac system. So, read this guide to know the best solutions.

Shifting from Windows to MacBook certainly highlights the need for accessing the complete email data on macOS. When it comes to reading or opening the Outlook MSG file on a MacBook; it becomes complicated.

Now, let’s move to learning the step-by-step guide to access the MSG file effortlessly on Mac.

What is Outlook .msg File?

The MSG file extension is typically known as Microsoft Outlook Email Format and is used to store individual emails including attachments, appointments, tasks, contacts, and more. It lets users contain message fields and detailed contact information.

Moreover, this file format efficiently preserves headers, email messages, and hyperlinks. Interestingly, this Outlook Mail message file extension is not compatible with Mac Outlook and remains works with the Windows Outlook version.

Now, if you have the quest to open Outlook MSG on Mac, we will guide you to access the MSG file on Mac without using the Outlook environment. So, let’s dive into it.

Why Do Users Want to Access the MSG Files on Mac OS?

Every professional has diverse needs when it comes to reading or accessing the MSG files on a MacBook. Here are the possible reasons to open the Outlook single message file on Mac OS:

  • Migrating from Windows to Mac certainly highlights the need for accessing the .msg file on Mac. It mainly happens if you have the desire to read or fetch the previous data of Outlook Windows on Mac.
  • For forensic analysis, MSG files are commonly popular among professional experts allowing them to deeply examine the stored email data. Now, if you’re a Mac user then, you must be troubled to open Outlook MSG file on Mac.
  • For Mac users, receiving the .msg file format is a work-stealing task. As users need to search methods to open the Outlook MSG files on their Mac to access the stored email information on the file.

Overall, Mac users can’t access the data of MSG files due to compatibility reasons. Interestingly, this file format can’t be opened even in Mac Outlook. Now, let’s walk through the methods to open Outlook MSG on Mac without any risk.

How Can I Open Outlook MSG File on Mac? Try TextEdit

Mac TextEdit is typically known as the upgraded yet advanced solution of Windows Notepad. It comes with a rich text feature helping professionals to read or edit the files with text format. With TextEdit, users can open or modify the .msg file format in their macOS. Now, let’s learn the step guide.

  1. Find the .msg file on your macOS.
  2. Perform right-click > Open With.
  3. Click on TextEdit to access the file.

It seems easy but unfortunately complicated for the users. Since TextEdit is not developed to open the MSG file message content. Therefore, it lets users only view the raw data, especially the encoded meta information.

Remember: Using this method, Mac users can’t read the complete data of the .msg file due to compatibility concerns. Additionally, it contains binary and unstructured information that remains undeciphered and brings challenges for users to uncode it. Hence, it triggers chances of data loss.

Try to Different the File Format to Open Outlook MSG on Mac

TextEdit is not a sustainable solution to open Outlook MSG file on Mac OS. Try to change the file extension i..e Text. It is yet another standard file format for accessing and storing email message information on Mac OS. To alter the MSG file extension, click on the .msg file and then rename it as .txt.

Additionally, you can use Command + I to quickly change the file extension from .msg to txt. Unfortunately, this method can equally bring unwanted complications for users such as file corruption and inaccessiblity.

Now, wondering what to do and how to open MSG files on Mac. Then, move to the next section to find an easy and reliable method that is recommended by professionals. So, let’s discover the expert approach.

How to Open Outlook MSG File on Mac Without Mac Outlook Application?

Earlier, we discussed the two methods to read the MSG file on Mac OS. Unfortunately, both methods are not reliable when securing the email data from the MSG file extension. Here, we have robust and proficient solutions i.e. SysTools MSG Converter Tool for Mac.

It is an advanced and pro utility to access the Outlook MSG file on Mac OS. This professional tool leverages Mac users to export the .msg file format into different email file formats including PST, and more. The Mac native email client named Apple Mail supports .mbox file format.

Using this profound solution, users can easily change the MSG file extension to Apple Mail email file to easily open Outlook MSG on Mac OS. It enables users to archive the complete data of MSG files including emails, attachments, contacts, etc, on Mac. Additionally, this software offers the feature to export selective data from MSG files on macOS.

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Step Guide to Access the MSG Files on Mac

  1. Launch the SysTools recommended software on your macOS.
    download mac msg converter tool
  2. From the welcome screen, choose Add Files to upload MSG files > Next.
    select option of add files
  3. Move to the Export Type, tab on the Apple Mail supported file format.
    select mbox file format
  4. Click on Change to save the resultant file on a Mac drive.
  5. Lastly, press Export to complete the process.
Pro Tip: Mac users can try MSG to PDF Converter for Mac; it lets users open the .msg file data into a portable and widely acceptable file format. With this, users can easily manage and archive the MSG file data on macOS.

How to Open MSG to Apple Mail Application?

After accessing the .msg file data in the .mbox file format. It becomes easier for Mac users to open the MSG to Apple Mail. Here are simple steps to import the resultant file to Mac Mail without any data loss and risk.

  1. Open Apple Mail > go to File.
  2. Click on Import Mailboxes and discover the drop-down option.
  3. Here, choose File in mbox format > Continue.
  4. Now, find the location of .mbox (previous .msg) from your Mac.
  5. At last, import the file and view it on your Mac Mail.

Let’s Sum Up!

In summary, we have discussed 3 approaches to open Outlook MSG file on Mac OS. In the absence of an advanced and direct manual solution to access the Windows Outlook created MSG file on Mac. Therefore, consider the automated solution, one of the secure and effective ways to open the MSG email file on a Mac system without any manual work and risk factors.

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  author

By Kumar Raj

A versatile writer with the vast knowledge of technology helps to reduce the gap between a user and technology. Provides easy and reliable ways to resolve multiple technical issues, which users encounter in their day-to-day life.