Know Best Methods for How to Import EML Files to Zimbra Mail in Bulk?

Sarabjeet Kaur | eml file conversion software technology | 5 minutes read | Last updated on July 17th, 2025,
how to import eml files to zimbra mail in bulk

Zimbra is a robust desktop-based email and collaboration platform designed for managing emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks within a unified interface. It offers extensive functionality for both individuals and organizations, making it a preferred solution for centralized communication and scheduling.

If you have emails stored in the EML file format and are looking to import them into Zimbra Mail Server, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of both manual and automated methods. Whether you’re an individual user or an IT administrator handling bulk email migration, we’ll walk you through each option step by step.

The EML format is widely used for saving individual email messages with each file containing the complete message content along with metadata such as sender, recipient, date, subject, and any attachments. It is usually associated with email clients like Apple Mail, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, eM, Client, Windows Live Mail, and others.

Zimbra, on the other hand, supports multiple email accounts and offers enhanced features for collaboration, including shared calendars, task management, and contact syncing. Importing your EML files into Zimbra helps consolidate email data, improves accessibility, and enhances productivity by centralizing communication.

In the following sections, we will explore the available techniques to import EML files to Zimbra Mail in bulk, covering both manual and alternative approaches with detailed step-by-step instructions for each.

Why You May Need to Import EML Files into Zimbra Mail?

  • Move your emails from apps like Thunderbird or Windows Live Mail to Zimbra.
  • Organize scattered EML files into one Zimbra account.
  • Add saved EML emails back into your inbox.
  • Find and read your emails quickly in Zimbra.
  • Keep your important emails protected in Zimbra.
  • Let new users import their old emails into Zimbra.

Manual Method to Import EML Files to Zimbra Server

If you prefer a direct, hands-on method without using third-party tools, this manual approach lets you import EML files into Zimbra account. While it’s simple, it’s best suited for small batches of emails due to its repetitive nature.

Steps to Import EML Files Manually:

  1. Place all your EML files into a single folder for simple access.
  2. Ensure each EML file is intact and free from corruption. You can test this by opening the files in an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird.
  3. Open Zimbra and navigate to the folder where you want to import the emails.
  4. Pick a single EML email and drag it into the desired Zimbra folder. (Note: Zimbra Desktop supports drag-and-drop; the Web Client may not.)
  5. Continue dragging and dropping files one at a time until all are imported.

Restrictions of the Manual Technique:

  • Time-Consuming – Not practical for importing large numbers of emails.
  • Requires Basic Technical Knowledge – Users must understand file formats and email clients.
  • Potential for Errors – Risk of importing corrupted files or losing attachment data if files aren’t verified first.

Why Import or Convert EML Files to Zimbra Desktop?

Users often need to import or convert EML files to Zimbra Desktop for several reasons—email migration being the most common. When switching from another email application (such as Windows Live Mail, Outlook Express, Mac Mail, eM Client, or Thunderbird) that stores messages in EML format, it becomes necessary to migrate those EML files into Zimbra.

However, when it comes to converting EML files into Zimbra Mail Server, the process isn’t straightforward. Zimbra Desktop does not natively support bulk EML import manually. While individual EML files can sometimes be dragged and dropped into folders in Zimbra Desktop, this method isn’t practical for large-scale migrations.

Recommended Way: Use a Professional EML to Zimbra Converter to Import EML Files to Zimbra Mail in Bulk

To overcome these limitations, tools like the BitData Migration EML Converter are highly effective. Using such a tool simplifies the EML to Zimbra conversion procedure, especially when dealing with a large number of EML emails. These expert utilities are specifically designed to:

  • Convert EML files to Zimbra-supported formats (like TGZ)
  • Preserve attachments, metadata, and folder structure
  • Support batch conversions for large-scale conversions
  • Ensure compatibility with all major Zimbra editions
  • Suitable with all Windows and Macintosh platforms

Working Steps for How to Import EML Files to Zimbra Mail in Bulk

Follow these simple steps to convert and import EML files to Zimbra by saving them in TGZ format:

  1. Download, install, and launch the EML to Zimbra TGZ Converter on your Windows system.
  2. Hit on “Select Files” or “Select Folders” to add single EML files or a whole folder, then tap Next.
  3. The software will scan and display the uploaded EML files. Select the specific files or folders you want to migrate.
  4. From the “Select Saving Option” drop-down menu, choose Zimbra (TGZ) as the output format.
  5. Set the Destination Path where you want to save the converted TGZ file. You can also apply Multiple File Naming Options for better organization.
  6. Click on the Convert to begin the process of exporting EML files to Zimbra TGZ format, including all email attachments and metadata.

Powerful Features of the EML to Zimbra Converter Tool

Bulk Import for Maximum Efficiency: Easily convert multiple EML files to Zimbra Mail in single go. This feature is perfect for users handling large volumes of data, significantly reducing time as well as manual effort.

Supports EML Files from 15+ Email Clients: The tool is compatible with EML files created from over 15 popular email clients including Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, Outlook Express, Apple Mail, DreamMail, Zoho Mail, and more.

Direct Import to 20+ Formats: Beyond Zimbra, the software also enables direct import of EML files to various formats like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Office 365, IMAP, Exchange Server, G Suite, Outlook.com, PST, PDF, HTML, DOC, OLM, MBOX, RTF, and so on.

Maintains Complete Data Integrity: During conversion, the program preserves all essential email properties such as subject lines, attachments, hyperlinks, headers, To, From, CC, BCC, signatures, etc. ensuring no data loss.

No File Size or Quantity Limitations: Convert unlimited EML files to TGZ format—there are no restrictions on file size.

Fully Compatible with All Windows Versions: The software runs smoothly on all Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and even XP. Also, it supports all macOS editions including Mac 15 Sequoia.

Wrapping Up

In this write-up, we’ve explained two simple methodologies to fix “how to import EML files to Zimbra Mail in bulk” query. The manual drag & drop approach is suitable for exporting a limited number of emails, but it can be tedious and inefficient for a bulk database.

For users who need to migrate EML emails in bulk, using an alternative conversion tool is a far more efficient and perfect way. This application not only speeds up the process but also ensures data integrity, folder structure preservation, and support for attachments.

Most importantly, a free trial edition is available which enables users to test the EML to TGZ Converter Tool’s features and functionality before making a final decision.