how do I import .pst files into Thunderbird on my mac

[trailertom]

I lost all my emails in my inbox and sent mail, but luckily i had them backed up as .pst files

Problem is I need to import the pst. files into Thunderbird on my mac. Does anyone know how to do this? If so can you please explain in detail the steps I need to complete an import.

Here is what I have to work with

Mac ibook G4, running osx 10.4.11, and Mozilla Thunderbird version 2.0.0.21

 

[9822737]

Is there not an import option on the file menu at the top? I'm sire on the Windows version there is so look for similar.

AnDy

 

[pdjudd]

I lost all my emails in my inbox and sent mail, but luckily i had them backed up as .pst files

Problem is I need to import the pst. files into Thunderbird on my mac. Does anyone know how to do this? If so can you please explain in detail the steps I need to complete an import.

Here is what I have to work with

Mac ibook G4, running osx 10.4.11, and Mozilla Thunderbird version 2.0.0.21

PST is very proprietary - you are not going to find a mac solution that will accept PST - its a closed Microsoft file. I know you can use outlook on a PC and you the Windows version of Thunderbird to copy them over, but I cannot remember how to do that exactly either.

PST files are pretty much Windows and Outlook only formats unfortunately - no matter how you slice it, you are going to need both of those.

 

[pdjudd]

Is there not an import option on the file menu at the top? I'm sire on the Windows version there is so look for similar.

AnDy

That option is not there on the Mac, just Windows (it doesn't even open PST files directly, it just import whatever is in Outlooks main mailbox).

 

[Sky Blue]

I'm pretty sure only Outlook will accept PSTs.

 

[pdjudd]

I'm pretty sure only Outlook will accept PSTs.

That is indeed correct. As it said - Outlook and PST files are very proprietary. I do know that Thunderbird can import emails from Outlook somehow. Its been far too long but Google might help.

 

[evlway]

Import PST files

Use a computer with Outlook installed -- copy the pst to the computer -- open Outlook - use File > Data File Management > add the pst -- drag the email from the pst to the Inbox -- export the Inbox -- or import the Inbox to Thunderbird

 

[John Jacob]

Use Outlook2Mac from LittleMachines. $10, if I remember right. I used it, and it worked fine. Only issue that I faced was that it discarded the email addresses from all my emails that were sent and received through Exchange. So if the email was from "John Jacob" <johnjacob@xyz.com>, after conversion to MBOX format and import into Thunderbird it would show up as from "John Jacob".

If you want a free solution, and you have a Windows machine (or have boot camp on your Mac), you could try the steps in this article. Or you could try this plugin. I haven't tried either of these methods.

 

[trailertom]

Thanks everyone for the info

here is some additional info for anyone who may have had teh same issue as me....

again, I am using a mac with mac operating system. No PC, No Windows, No Vista for me. 🙂

In Thunderbird....

Under Tools, then Import, Thunderbird gives me a screen where I have to:
"Select the type of material to import:
Address Books
Mail
Settings

I select mail. When I hit the next button Thunderbird gives me a screen where I have to:
"Please Select the program from which you would like to import:"
Communicator 4.x
Eudora

If I select the "Communicator 4.x" option Thunderbird just sits there doing nothing for eternity. If I select the "Eudora" option Thunderbird gives me a screen where I have to "Select mail directory" where i can search for .pst files. The .pst files are de-highlighted and I cannot select them to import.