How to Backup Thunderbird Emails: Complete Guide
Quick Answer: The most complete way to backup Thunderbird emails is to close Thunderbird and copy its entire profile folder to another storage location. On Windows, Thunderbird profiles are typically stored under %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\; on macOS, they are under ~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/. If you only need the emails as files, use ImportExportTools NG to export messages as EML or MBOX. For PST or PDF output, use a dedicated Thunderbird converter.
Thunderbird stores it’s email, folders, attachments and account information on your local machine. Creating a backup gives you a copy that can be restored if the profile gets corrupted, computer is replaced or Thunderbird data is lost accidentally.
The best backup process depends on what you want to save. You can backup your entire Thunderbird profile or save individual emails in EML/MBOX format or convert Thunderbird mailbox data into other format like PST or PDF.
Tested with Thunderbird: Confirm the exact version of Thunderbird and operating system used for the final test before publishing this line.
Which Thunderbird Backup Do You Need?
Before you make a backup, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want to back up the whole Thunderbird environment or only the e-mail messages.
| What You Want to Back Up | Recommended Method | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Thunderbird data | Copy the Thunderbird profile | Complete profile folder |
| Only selected emails | ImportExportTools NG | EML or another supported email format |
| Entire mailbox as email files | ImportExportTools NG | EML/MBOX, depending on the selected export option |
| Regular Thunderbird backup | Profile backup plus an external backup process | Copy of the Thunderbird profile |
| Thunderbird to Multiple Options | Dedicated Thunderbird converter | Multiple Saving Options |
If you want to be able to restore Thunderbird back to the way it was, backup the whole profile. If you want to archive or share individual emails, then exporting emails as different file formats may be enough.
Method 1: Backup the Complete Thunderbird Profile Folder
The Thunderbird profile is the most full local backup option as it contains the data Thunderbird uses for your profile including locally stored mail and account / profile configuration.
You must close Thunderbird completely before copying the profile. This reduces the risk of copying files while Thunderbird is writing data.
Find the Thunderbird profile on Windows
Thunderbird profiles are usually located in: Windows:
%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles
To open the location:
- Shut Thunderbird.
- Press Windows + R. Type: %APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\
- Hit the Enter key.
- Find the profile folder.
- Copy the profile folder you want to use.
- Copy it to an external hard drive, USB drive, another internal drive or some other secure backup.
If you are backing up the entire Thunderbird configuration, you can also back up the Thunderbird data from the parent Thunderbird directory.
Method 2: Backup Thunderbird Emails as Files Using ImportExportTools NG
If you don’t need the entire Thunderbird profile and just want copies of your email messages, an email export add-on such as ImportExportTools NG can be useful.
This is the option you want if you want individual email files or mailbox exports that are separate from the Thunderbird profile.
Steps to back up Thunderbird emails
1. Open the Thunderbird application on your system.
2. Press the Alt button and choose Tools >> Themes & Add-ons.
3. Search for ImportExportTools NG and add it to your application.
4. Now right-click on the email folder you want to export.
5. Select ImportExportTools NG >> Export Messages ina Folder >> Select File formats.
6. Alternatively, you can also choose Export Folder (mbox) >> select option.
7. Moreover, right-click on your email ID and export your complete profile.
That’s it! Your Thunderbird emails will be save process may take some time depending on your mailbox size.
The precise wording of the menu, and the export options offered may vary with Thunderbird and the add-on version, so check the current interface of the add-on before publishing screenshots or exact menu labels.
profile backup vs export email
It is important not to view the two approaches as one and the same.
A profile backup is utilised to save Thunderbird’s local profile data and configuration.
An email export is a focus on the messages and may not preserve the entire Thunderbird environment.
In general, when preparing for a computer replacement or a Thunderbird reinstallation, it makes more sense to do a full profile backup than to export individual messages.
How to Restore a Thunderbird Backup
The only good backup is one you can get the data back from later. Make sure that your backup is there and contains the expected data before you delete the original Thunderbird profile.
Restore a complete Thunderbird profile
To recover at the profile level:
- Exit Thunderbird.
- Make a copy of the current profile before you replace anything.
- Find the Thunderbird profile folder.
- Select the back up profile you want to restore.
- Use the existing profile management facility in Thunderbird to restore or attach the profile.
- Open Thunderbird.
- Review the mail folders and messages.
- See attachments and other important information.
Do not replace a working Thunderbird profile without saving a copy of it first. If you are moving the profile to another computer or Thunderbird installation, the appropriate profile selection or migration procedure may depend upon the version of Thunderbird.
Method 3: How to Backup Thunderbird Emails in Multiple Saving Options?
Sometimes “backup” means the user wants to have Thunderbird emails in a different format.
For example, you might want:
- Thunderbird to PST conversion for Outlook compatibility.
- Conversion of Thunderbird messages into PDF for document archiving.
- Thunderbird mailbox data converted to other supported format.
In such cases, you can use a dedicated Thunderbird converter instead of creating a native Thunderbird profile backup.
For instance, you can try Advik Thunderbird Backup Tool that lets you automatically save all your emails to your preferred location or format. With Advik, you don’t need any technical skills — just select your Thunderbird profile, choose the output format (like PST, MBOX, EML, or PDF), and start the backup.
Download the software and try it now!
Note: With the trial demo version, you can export 25 items from each folder for free.
Steps to Backup Thunderbird Mailbox Professionally
Follow these simple steps to backup your Thunderbird mailbox to an external hard drive:
1. Run the software and select your Thunderbird profile.
2. Choose the email folders you want to backup.
3. Select the saving option from the given list.
4. Select your Hard Drive as the target location and click Next button.
The software will start saving your emails from Thunderbird to external drive automatically.
After that, it will show a successful pop-up message once done.
Note: This approach is better described as email conversion or format specific backup method instead of a replacement for a complete Thunderbird profile backup.
If you just want to keep Thunderbird around so you can restore it later, use the profile backup method.
Watch How to Backup Thunderbird Emails Using Advik Tool
Check the Thunderbird Backup Result
Just because the copy or export finished without an error it doesn’t mean that the backup is usable without any issues.
Before you rely on the data you have backed up, do a sample test.
| What to Check | What to Verify |
|---|---|
| Backup Location | Confirm that the Thunderbird profile or exported email files exist in the intended backup location. |
| Backup Size | Check that the backup size is reasonable compared with the original Thunderbird data. |
| Mail Folders | Confirm that important folders and mailbox data are present. |
| Messages | Open or inspect sample messages to confirm that the expected emails are included. |
| Attachments | Check several messages containing attachments and verify that the attachment data is available. |
| Restoration | If the backup is critical, perform a test restoration before deleting the original data. |
For a large mailbox data set, don’t only rely on the few emails, randomly pick the emails from each folder and time period.
Common Thunderbird Backup Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird profile folder cannot be found | The AppData or Library folder is hidden, or the wrong profile location is being checked. | Use the Thunderbird profile path for your operating system and verify that hidden folders can be accessed. |
| Profile files cannot be copied | Thunderbird may still be running and using the files. | Close Thunderbird completely and try copying the profile again. |
| The backup is much smaller than expected | The wrong profile may have been copied, or the backup may be incomplete. | Compare the backup with the original profile and verify that the expected mailbox files are present. |
| Restored emails are missing | The wrong profile was restored, or the backup did not contain all required data. | Check the profile used for the backup and verify that the required folders were included. |
| ImportExportTools NG options are missing | The add-on may not be installed, enabled, or compatible with the current Thunderbird version. | Check the installed add-on and verify its compatibility with your current Thunderbird version. |
| Some emails are missing from an exported backup | Only selected folders or messages may have been exported. | Review the selected folders and repeat the export with all required mail folders included. |
| PST or PDF conversion does not include all emails | Folder selection, filters, source data, or conversion settings may exclude some messages. | Check the selected folders, filters, source mailbox, and conversion log before repeating the conversion. |
Final Recommendation
To create a full Thunderbird email backup that can help you restore your Thunderbird profilethen first close the Thunderbird and copy the correct profile folder to another storage location. If you only want email messages as files in backup then use an email-export method like ImportExportTools NG. If you need Thunderbird emails in different file formats then use a dedicated Thunderbird conversion tool.
Whichever method you choose, verify the backup method before removing the original Thunderbird data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. 1. How do I backup all emails from Thunderbird?
A. You can backup all your emails by copying the Thunderbird Profile folder or with an automated tool.
Q. 2. Can I directly save Thunderbird emails to my external hard drive?
A. Yes, you can directly take backup Thunderbird emails to external hard drive.
Q. 3. Can I backup my entire Thunderbird mailbox at once?
A. Yes, with Advik Software, you can backup Thunderbird emails, contacts, calendars, notes, and other customized folders in one go.
Q 4. How is the Trial Version different from the Licensed Version?
A. The trial edition is only for testing and exploring the software features. It will convert 25 emails/items from each folder. However, with the licensed version, you can backup unlimited Thunderbird emails.
