Format guide
MBOX
Unix mbox mailbox
MBOX is the Unix tradition for mailbox storage, a plain-text file containing many email messages back-to-back, separated by lines beginning with "From " (with trailing space). Used by Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Postfix, and as the export format from Gmail's Takeout service. Files for power users with years of mail can hit gigabytes.
How to open a MBOX file
Thunderbird (drop into a folder), Apple Mail (Import Mailboxes), Mozilla SeaMonkey, mutt. Convert to PDF for archival or single EMLs for individual message work.
Primary use
Mass email archival; Gmail Takeout exports; long-term mail backups.
Convert other formats to MBOX
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