Convert Mac Outlook Emails to PST

Updated on November 24, 2022 by Savita Sharma

This post will show you how to convert a Mac OLM file to Windows Outlook PST file using a few different approaches. Anyone may export their MAC Outlook emails file data to PST file format and retrieve it in Windows Outlook using these ways.

We can use Outlook on both Mac and Windows platforms. Both of these platforms are similar, but the data files were stored in different file formats on each. On the Mac, OLM files are used for storage, but on Windows, PST files are used. However, if you want to access your Mac Outlook emails on Windows, you'll need to convert from Outlook for Mac OLM to Outlook PST file. There is no way to export or open an OLM file from Outlook for Mac into a Windows Outlook PST file.

To access your Mac data on Windows, including files, contacts, calendars, and events, you must first convert an OLM file to a PST file, which you can then import into Windows Outlook. Although, it is possible to perform it manually, data loss may occur if done incorrectly. During the OLM to PST conversion, a user may encounter problems. Converting an OLM file to PST file is a more difficult job that demands more time and resources. You might also have issues with data inconsistencies, sign-in difficulties, and missing attachments. Furthermore, there is a risk of data loss and corruption.

If you want to avoid problems like this when converting MAC Outlook emails to PST, you should use a third-party solution.

Reasons why User Convert MAC Outlook emails to PST file:-

  • Due to the lack of a Mac environment or the need for temporary work in a Windows environment.
  • The company is permanently migrating to a Windows environment.
  • In order to increase the portability of email data (as Windows environment is widely used).
  • Need to access data from orphaned OLM files that were shared or discovered on the system.
  • As a result of company mergers and acquisitions, workers are increasingly working in a Windows environment.
  • For a limited period, you'll need to use the Windows environment.

Manual Method to Export MAC Outlook emails to PST file

The manual solution to convert OLM to PST seems to very easy and simple in the first look. But originally, you may need some technical knowledge to go through the multi-stage steps in the conversion as it is not as easy as it looks. The basic idea of manual conversion is to create an IMAP account through a Gmail account and then configure it in MAC Outlook email. You can then use the labels created in Gmail to transfer OLM mail to IMAP mailboxes, which can then be configured to Outlook on Windows.

To get a clearer picture of the actual process and how the steps are performed one by one, let's see the manual steps for MAC Outlook (OLM) to PST file.

Manual Steps: Export MAC Outlook (OLM) to PST File

This manual technique consists of five main stages that you must follow in sequence. Read all the instructions and follow the entire procedure:

Stage 1: Setting IMAP Server Account via Gmail

Follow the steps below to setup an IMAP Server account in your Gmail application.

  • 1. Sign in to your Gmail account with your username and password.
  • 2. Go to Settings and select Forwarding and POP/IMAP Tab.
  • 3. Go to IMAP Access option and check the status of IMAP; if it is not enabled then enable IMAP as the option.
  • 4. After saving the changes a new IMAP account is created.

Stage 2: Configure Outlook for Mac with IMAP Account

Once you successfully create the IMAP account in Gmail (after enabling IMAP in Gmail settings), the next you have to add this account to Outlook for Mac. For this you can follow the steps given below:

  • 1. Open Microsoft Outlook for Mac application on the system
  • 2. Then navigate to Tool tab and select Accounts
  • 3. Now, accounts window will appear, click on E-mail Account option.
  • 4. Now choose Email and enter your email id, password, and other details. Click on Add Account option to add it.
    Note: Add IMAP Server as account, choose SSL connection option, SMTP server and 465 port number as details.
  • 5. Finally, the IMAP email account is added and can be viewed on the Email tab.

Stage 3: Creating Label in Gmail Account

After configuring the IMAP account successfully with Microsoft Outlook for Mac, you can move on to the next task which is to create the label. Let’s know the steps to do it.

  • 1. Firstly you need to open your Gmail account again and go to Settings.
  • 2. Now go to the Labels tab and under Labels click on the Create New Label option.
  • 3. Now, you need to enter a label name and click on Create option.
  • 4. Here, a new label is created. Make sure the Show in IMAP check box is selected.
  • 5. Now switch to the Outlook for Mac email application and click the Send/Receive option for the IMAP mailbox to update it.

Stage 4: Moving OLM Emails to IMAP Server Mailbox

This stage includes exporting the desired OLM emails to the IMAP mailbox in Outlook for Mac. To do this, follow the steps below:

  • 1. Select the desired mailbox folder items from the OLM mailbox that you want to export
  • 2. After that right click on the selected folder and select Move >> Copy to Folder.
  • 3. Provide the name of desired IMAP folder and then click on Copy option.
    [Note: Do that again for multiple files transfer.]
  • 4. Now you need to click the Send/Receive button to update the IMAP folder.
  • 5. After the update, all the OLM emails are transferred to the IMAP Server account mailbox folders.

Stage 5: Moving OLM Emails to IMAP Server Mailbox

This stage includes exporting the desired OLM emails to the IMAP mailbox in Outlook for Mac. To do this, follow the steps below:

  • 1. First of all go to Control Panel
  • 2. Select Mail → Email Accounts → New.
  • 3. On the Account page, select manually configure server settings and click Next.
  • 4. Now select the option IMAP/POP Settings and click on Next.
  • 5. Enter your IMAP account credentials, server details and click on More Settings option.
  • 6. On the Advanced tab, add details like 993 as port number for IMAP server settings and 465 as port number for SMTP server settings. Choose SSL connection everywhere and save settings. Finally, click on Finish option.
  • 7. Now, click the Advanced tab, and add details such as 993 as the port number for IMAP server settings
  • 8. Now add details such as 465 as the port number for SMTP server settings. Select SSL connection and save the settings. Click Next.
  • 9. Finally, click on the Finish option.

Now you can export your OLM emails from the configured IMAP folder to PST mailbox inbox folder by dragging or copying and pasting actions.

Final Conclusion:

As you have seen, the process has multiple stages, and therefore it is very time-consuming, and there is a good chance of manual errors throughout the process as well. With this complex method, only a few OLM emails can be converted simultaneously. It takes more time and effort to convert large amounts of data. Because the process is indirect, there can be gaps at each stage that affect the next stage. The need for different environments (Windows and Mac) with email clients installed simultaneously may pose another hurdle for users. This method is possible, but users have to face many hurdles, as mentioned above.

Hence, choosing an alternative solution is a wise decision for the safe side. The OLM to PST converter tool is a great tool for smoothly converting MAC Outlook emails to PST in minutes. The conversion process is completed in 5-6 easy steps, full data security, and without any file size limit. With this automated conversion, no complex server settings are required. It even includes filter options for the custom conversion process with compatibility with all Outlook versions.

Regain OLM to PST Converter Software can easily Export Mac Outlook OLM files to PST format with all emails attachments. In this tool, you need to select your desired OLM file, and then you can easily convert them into PST format. With this utility, you can save your OLM emails into many other file formats like MBOX, MSG, EML, vCal, vCard, etc. The Software also provides a feature to Migrate OLM into Office 365 Account, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Live Exchange Server and many more.

Software also generates the quick preview of all emails items where anyone can easily see the preview of all their selected emails items before the conversion. Users can also try the free version before purchasing Software and where they can check the compatibility of this application. Users can also save 30 emails per folder free of cost in the free version.