How to Export Gmail Emails to EML? 5 Free & Bulk Methods

Looking to export Gmail emails to EML, you’re not alone. Here is a step by step by step guide to download an EML file from Gmail. An EML file is the most commonly used email format for downloading email data for migration or to save important Emails with attachments for future use, or if you want to simply save it for backup reasons. This blog is your comprehensive guide, covering all the ways to download EML file from Gmail, whether you need to do it in bulk, batch by batch, or entirely for free. Let’s explore the methods.

What Are EML Files?

EML stands for “Electronic Mail,” and these files are structured using the Internet Message Format. It is a universally accepted email file format to hold each message within it. People often ask, “How to export Gmail emails to EML?” as EML is one such format that preserves all parts of the message. An EML file typically includes the recipient’s email address, sender’s email, the body of the message, attachments, and hyperlinks, all of which can be easily opened on any desktop without hassle. Thus making it universally popular.

Reasons to Export Gmail to EML Files

EML files are the most effective method to manage emails. Here are few reasons why converting Gmail to EML can be beneficial :

• Switching from Gmail to another Email client like Thunderbird or Outlook.
• Having access to Gmail without the internet.
• Safeguarding legal, business or important records.
• For saving attachments with full metadata.
• Troubleshooting issues in Gmail.

How to Export Gmail Emails to EML Files? – 3 Manual Methods

Below are 3 very effective and free methods that allow you to download an EML file from Gmail for free and quickly. These methods prove utmost beneficial for low-volume exports.

Method 1: Download Message (Default EML Format)

1. Launch Gmail in your browser.
2. Go to the email you want to export as EML.
3. Click the three-dot menu (top right).
4. Click on Download Message.
5. You can access it in your file manager.

Thus, when you want to export Gmail emails to EML, you can very conveniently do it via the download message button, as the default format of download is .EML.

Challenge: This method will be time-consuming while you want to download in bulk and retain the folder structure while downloading.

Method 2: Use the “Show Original” Option

1. Open any Gmail emails.
2. Click three dots on the top right.
3. Click on “Show Original“.
4. Click on “Download Original“.

Advantage: It allows you to inspect the technical details and raw data.

Limitation: Not ideal for bulk export.

Method 3: Copy-Paste to Save as EML

1. Go to Gmail you want to export as EML.
2. Press Ctrl + A to select all. Copy the content.
3. Open Notepad. Paste it into a new document.
4. Click on “Save as” >> Name your Document >> Choose .eml format.
5. Hit Save to export Gmail email to EML

Advantages: Useful when there are doubts about email authenticity or when you only need selective metadata

Limitation: Highly Prone to human error. Does not give complete information and does not retain folder structure.

Method 4: How to Manually Export Gmail Emails to EML in Bulk?

Yes, one can even export Gmail emails in bulk manually, but it does require the use Google Takeout and Mozilla Thunderbird. Before you proceed with the steps to export Gmail to EML files using this method, it’s important to understand what Google Takeout is.

It is a free and official service by Google that allows users to download Gmail emails in bulk, but keep in mind it only exports to .MBOX (which is another email format), not EML.

Thus, there will be an additional step after downloading to convert the format. Let’s dive in.

1. Open your browser and visit takeout.google.com
2. Sign In >> Deselect all and only Select Gmail.
3. Click “Next step” at the very bottom.
4. Configure delivery method, frequency, file type & size.
5. Hit “Create Export“.(This is only phase 1. to (This begins the process to export Gmail emails to EML)
6. You will receive an email with an archived download. Open Mail
7. Click “Manage Google Takeout Request” >> Download.
8. Zip file will be downloaded >> Extract the Zip (Available in .MBOX).
9. Once this is downloaded, use Mozilla Thunderbird or any other software to change the email format to EML.

Advantages: Allows you to export Gmail to EML files in bulk while maintaining a folder structure.

Limitations: Setting up Thunderbird takes time and can be complex for beginner users.

Also read: Import EML Files to Gmail

Method 5: Export Gmail Emails to EML in Bulk – Using Specialized Software

There are so many ways to solve the query- “How to save email as EML in Gmail”, but these different method comes with limitations like:

• Inability to download attachment.
• Prone to Human Error while downloading in bulk.
• Does not preserve structure.
• It can be highly technical for beginners.

This is where Email Backup Software comes into the picture. It is a simple, reliable, and professional way to export Gmail emails to EML. It will allow you to convert Gmail to EML in a few easy steps that anyone can follow along and is highly secure.

How to Export EML File from Gmail? – Steps to Follow

1. Once you have downloaded and installed the software. Launch it.
   Note: It is available for both Mac and Windows computers.
2. Select Gmail as Email Source.
3. Enter your credentials. You can also use Google OAuth Authentication to sign in with Google.
   
4. Select the Folder you want to download as EML file from Gmail from the panel on the left.
   
5. Under “Select Saving Option“, choose “EML”.
   
6. Further there are advanced options to filter.
   
7. Hit Backup.

Key Advantages of Using Specialized Software to Export Gmail Emails to EML

• It allows you to export Gmail emails to EML in bulk and even in batch mode
• There are options for selected filtering by subject, date, receiver, sender, etc.
• It helps you retain the folder structure.
• There will be no loss of data or privacy compromise, which happens with most external software.
• This tool allows you to download an EML file from Gmail with attachments and a header that are skipped by most software
• Works in both Windows and Mac.
• It works for Gmail and many other email clients like Thunderbird, Outlook, Apple Mail, and more.
• Allows you to download not just in EML but also in formats like PDF, MBOX, PST, etc.
• There is a free trial version available.

Also Read: How to Backup G Suite Emails?

FAQs: Export Gmail Emails to EML

Q1: How to get an EML file from Gmail?

To download an EML file from Gmail is to open the needed Gmail emails. Click on three dots. >> Select “Download Message”. It will by default save as .EML.

Q2: Do EML files include attachments, too?

Yes, Gmail Emails exported through “Download message” or via specialized software, the downloaded email file will contain attachments along with the body message & metadata.

Q3: Can I export Gmail emails to EML on iPhone or Android?

No, Gmail mobile app does not allow direct download as .EML files can’t be EML files by default. But you can transfer from desktop to mobile and use a third-party viewer.

Q4: Where do EML files get saved after exporting?

If you use Gmail’s “Download Message” to export Gmail to EML files, it will be saved to the downloads folder. But if you are using a specialized professional software, you can choose the destination path.

Q5: Why use third-party software to export Gmail to EML?

A specialized professional tool allows you to export Gmail emails to EML in bulk, with attachments, along with various advanced filters in a safe and time-efficient way, which can be time-consuming and prone to error if done traditionally that is one at a time.

Learn: How to Save Email as PDF? 

Final thoughts:

Through this blog, we explored various ways to “export Gmail emails to EML” either manually, in bulk for free or by using a specialized professional tool. Essentially, having your emails as EML will be required when you need to have a copy of important emails/ attachments, or you are simply migrating your email client. You now know to do it manually, but we recommend using the professional tool to do it easily, quickly, and securely. You can try the software for free. It is available for both Mac and Windows.