Here’s How to Migrate Outlook OLM to Apple Mail

Written By Kumar Raj

Approved By Anuraag Singh

Published On March 5th, 2024

Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Microsoft Outlook is a user-friendly desktop-based email client available for Mac and Windows platforms. Due to some reasons, there are a number of Mac Outlook users who want to migrate from Outlook for Mac to Apple Mail. However, both the email program supports different file formats i.e., OLM & MBOX formats respectively.

That is why users cannot directly move to the Mac Mail email client. To do this, users need to first convert OLM files to Apple Mail supported MBOX format.

Therefore, in this post, we are going to discuss various approaches that can import OLM to Apple Mail easily.

Now, let us understand this scenario with the help of a user query:

“Hello, I use Mac Outlook for many years. But in the last month, it becomes so slow. To resolve this issue, I uninstall and reinstall Mac Outlook 2016, but the problem is constant. So, I have started to use Mac Mail as my default email client. And I realize it is more simple than Mac Outlook. Thus, I am planning to migrate my old .olm file into Mac Mail. Can anyone suggest to me how to import Outlook OLM to Apple Mail program? Any relevant help would be appreciated!”

Potential Reasons to Import Outlook OLM to Mac Mail

There is no “one” specific reason for Mac Outlook to Apple Mail migration. Multiple scenarios are responsible for where users feel the need of importing Outlook OLM file into Mac Mail application. Some of them are listed below:

Manage old OLM files into Apple Mail email client that the user currently works with.
Occurrence of different errors in Mac Outlook causing the user to switch to Mac Mail.
Change in organization leading to switching of email client from Outlook for Mac to Apple Mail.

Manual Method to Migrate Outlook For Mac to Apple Mail

The traditional method takes advantage of the fact that Outlook for Mac has an option to create MBOX files. Since Mac Mail supports this MBOX file, it makes it easier to perform the conversion process. The method is divided into 2 parts:

Part 1: Exporting data from Outlook for Mac OLM

To start the process, launch Outlook for Mac on your system.
After that, choose the mailbox that you wish to migrate from Outlook to Mac Mail program.
Then, drag and drop the selected mailbox to the desktop interface. It will automatically save in MBOX file format.
After that, repeat the above steps until all the mailboxes are converted into MBOX files.
Then, keep all the MBOX files in one folder.
At last, exit Outlook.

Part 2: Import the OLM data into Apple Mail on Mac

Start Apple Mail.
Then, select the File >> Import Mailboxes… option.
As soon as you click on the Mailboxes, a new dialog box appears on the screen. Select Files in mbox format option from the dialog box and click on Continue.
Then, browse the folder that comprises all MBOX files. Then, click on Choose to continue the process.
A new window display that previews all .mbox files. If you want to exclude any mailbox then uncheck the box corresponding to that mailbox.
Finally, click on Continue to import MBOX into Mac Mail.
The files are now visible under the Import section.

Limitations of the Manual Method

The above-described solution that converts OLM files into Apple Mail has some shortcomings that are listed below:

Users cannot import orphan .olm file into Apple Mail program.
It requires Outlook for Mac application to execute the process.
It is not effective to import bulk OLM files into Mac Mail client.
Takes a huge amount of time to complete the migration process.

Expert Solution to Migrate Mac Outlook OLM to Mac Mail

If a user is looking for a simple and reliable solution to import OLM to Apple Mail, try a professional solution. Mac OLM Converter is one such application that let users migrate Outlook for Mac to Apple Mail in no time.

Download Now Purchase Now

It is particularly designed to convert Mac Outlook OLM file into format compatible with Apple Mail within a few clicks. Besides this, it exports .olm file into 9+ file formats. The key features of the software are as follows:

Successfully export mailboxes of Mac Outlook in batch
Able to move selective OLM file data into desired file formats
The software creates a complete report of the entire conversion
Permits to export selected mailboxes using the data filter option
Export OLM emails, contacts, calendars, tasks and notes as per requirements
Provide option to split large PST file into smaller ones
Easily convert Outlook 2019/2016/ 2011 OLM files into Mac Mail
Supports all the latest versions of Mac OS i.e., Mac OS X 10.8 & all above versions.
In addition to that, it is compatible with all the latest versions of Windows Operating System.

Steps to Import OLM file into Apple Mail

Step 1.) First, download & launch the OLM to MBOX Converter on the Mac machine.
Step 2.) Then, upload the OLM file(s) in the software by clicking on the “Add File / Add Folder” button and click on the Next button to continue.
Step 3.) After that, select the MBOX file format from “Select Export Type” and choose to maintain folder hierarchy, if required.
Step 4.) Then, click on the Advance Settings button and set multiple options like categories and date filters to customize the conversion process.
Step 5.) Then, provide the destination location for the resultant data file.
Step 6.) Finally, click on Export to start converting OLM file to Mac Mail supported format.
Step 7.) Once the process completes, open the destination location to find the converted MBOX file.
Step 8.) At last, import this MBOX file in Apple Mail by going to File >> Import Mailboxes >> Files in MBOX format.

Bringing It All Together

In this post, we have described two methods that can migrate OLM files into Mac Mail. Moreover, if the user wants a quick solution that can import bulk OLM files to Apple Mail, then it is recommended to choose the automated solution. It provides a 100 % conversion rate without changing the original file structure. So, it depends upon the users which method they find more suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to import OLM files to Mac Mail using the software?

A. Here’s how to execute it:

Step 1: Click “Add File” to import OLM file.
Step 2: Select “MBOX” for Apple Mail.
Step 3: Apply “Advance Settings” to OLM file.
Step 4: Click “Export” to import OLM to Apple Mail.

Q. Which is better Mac Outlook or Apple Mail?

A. There are multiple factors depending on which a user make choice between the two. But, in order to have a proper idea go through Microsoft Outlook for Mac vs Mac Mail comparison.

Q. Can I access the resultant MBOX file on any supporting application?

A. Yes, you can open MBOX file in any application that supports MBOX like Apple Mail, Thunderbird, Eudora, etc.

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.

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