How to Backup Thunderbird on Mac? – Top 3 Methods

Bhawna Barwal | how to software technology thunderbird | 4 minutes read | Modified on: 21-08-2025

Introduction

To keep the pace of this digital era, it is quite essential ensuring the safety and security of your emails. Mozilla Thunderbird is one of the popular email clients for managing various accounts. It provides feature-rich intuitive interface which is workable for both personal and professional communication. There is no doubt in it, Thunderbird contains quite essential data, and we can’t afford loss of it. For this we should do protect our data. For this, backing up Thunderbird data can save you from a big loss. In this article, we will discuss step-by-step process that will help to resolve the issue of how to backup Thunderbird on Mac. So you can protect all your Thunderbird emails from any kind of error seamlessly. Now, let’s start our article now.

Let’s Discuss Some Reasons Behind Backing up Thunderbird Emails

It is always a wise decision to backup Thunderbird data, let know why:

  • If you have backup of data, then it can prevent from hardware failures and software crashes.  
  • It leads to keep the important emails safe from data loss kind of situations.
  • Users can restore all the data anytime, if they have it in their system.
  • Sometimes situations may incur when users delete emails accidently. So to avoid this situation of panic, it is better to protect data in advance.
  • Backup practice also helps in migrating Thunderbird data to different email clients/devices. In fact, users can switch from one Operating Systems to another one.

Method 1: Go with Trusted Thunderbird Backup Tool for Mac

BitData Migration Thunderbird Converter for Mac – It is the safest method to backup Thunderbird on Mac OS. Also, it can be well operable by non-techies users as well due to intuitive interface of the application. This application enables to convert emails from Thunderbird to different formats and cloud based programs. It can convert/migrate Thunderbird to PST, PDF, EML, MSG, MBOX, CSV, Office 365, Outlook.co, Gmail/GSuite, etc. Also, it makes it feasible to move bulk Thunderbird data at once.  Users can launch this software on Mac Operating Systems for example Monterey, Catalina, Mojave, High-Sierra, Big-Sur, and many more. It also facilitates users with a free demo feature that makes it feasible to backup 20 emails from Thunderbird completely free of cost. Let’s know the working of this application below.

How to Backup Thunderbird on Mac? – Working Steps

  1. Launch and open Thunderbird Backup Tool for Mac on your Mac machine.
  2. Choose the appropriate option to upload Thunderbird data into the software.
  3. Now you can check/uncheck Thunderbird folders for conversion, click on the Next and move further.
  4. There are multiple saving options in the list of select saving option, you can any option like PST, PDF, EML, MBOX, Yahoo, CSV, TXT, Office 365, Outlook.com, etc. After choosing saving option, you will get required sub-option to fill according to the selected saving option.
  5. Lastly click on the Export option, it will start the process. 

Method 2: Manual Method to Backup Thunderbird on Mac

Users also have option to manually copy the mailbox files on your Mac, it also a feasible method of backing up Thunderbird emails. Here’s how to accomplish it:

  1. Run Thunderbird emails client,
  2. Then go to menu button (three lines in the upper-right corner).
  3. Go to Help > More Troubleshooting Details.
  4. Locate “Profile Folder” under “Application Basics”. And select “Open Folder”.
  5. Close Thunderbird and make it sure no files are being opened.
  6. Then copy the whole folder that holds your profile information.
  7. Now, the copied data should be pasted to the desired path that may include cloud storage account, external drive, or another safe place.

Method 3: Export Emails via Add On

In Thunderbird there are numerous add-ons and extensions that make email backups easier. For this reason, ImportExportTools NG is one of the well-liked add-on. Take these points in mind:

  1. Move to Tools > Add-ons and Themes in Thunderbird email client.
  2. Install “ImportExportTools NG” after searching for it.
  3. You must right-click on a folder in your inbox.
  4. Now, go with selecting ImportExportTools NG > Export all messages in the folder> EML Format.
  5. Select a folder to store your emails in.

Although this approach is free and easy to use, understanding the intricacies of the manual methods technical expertise is required.

Read more

How to Migrate Data from Thunderbird to Evolution

How Do I Transfer Email from Thunderbird to Apple Mail

How Can I Migrate My Thunderbird Calendar to Outlook

How to Convert Thunderbird Files to PDF with Attachments

Conclusion

This blog provides efficient methods of preventing your priceless data from any kind of danger using the best Thunderbird Tool for Mac. With the help of this efficient backup app for Mac, users can simply practice excellent data management. Now take a demo of the application and tackle the issue how to backup Thunderbird on Mac for free of cost for demo purpose, it is feasible to backup 20 emails from Thunderbird without any charges. The suggested app is compatible with all Mac Operating Systems for example Mac OS Monterey, Catalina, High-Sierra, Mojave, Big-Sur, etc.