How to Import & Open EML Files in Gmail (Updated 2026)

Quick Answer: To open EML file in Gmail, create a new Gmail message, attach the .eml file and send the email message to yourself . Then you can open the email you have received and open the EML file that is attached to it. If you have more than one EML file, you can migrate them manually using Thunderbird or Outlook or you can use an EML to Gmail converter for bulk migration. The best method depends on how many EML files you have, and whether you want a manual or an automated solution.

EML files are usually generated by email applications like Windows Mail, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, and various other desktop email programs. If you have a bunch of EML files and want to access them using Gmail, it is dependent on whether you want to open a single EML file or import multiple EML files to Gmail.

There’s no “Open EML” button for local files in Gmail. You could, however, look at a single EML by attaching it to an email and mailing it to yourself. For multiple EML files it is better to use Thunderbird, Outlook or a dedicated EML to Gmail migration tool.

In this guide, you will learn how to open EML files in Gmail and how to import EML files to Gmail including free and bulk migration methods.

How to Open a Single EML File in Gmail?

For opening a single or few EML files, you do not necessarily need a migration application.

A simple workaround is to make use of the attachment facility of Gmail.

Step 1: Log in to Gmail

Open Gmail in your web browser and sign into the account where you want to view the EML file.

Step 2: Write a New Email

Click compose to write a new message.

Step 3: Attach the EML File

Click the paper clip icon and navigate to where your .eml file is saved.

Select the EML file, and attach it to the message.

Step 4: Email It to Yourself (or)

Enter your own Gmail address in the To field, and send the message.

Step 5: Open The Received Message Open the message you received.

Open the email in your inbox. Access the attached EML file.

This method is useful if you only need to process a single EML file and do not want to install additional software.

Limitations of the method

The attachment method is not a real EML to Gmail migration.

It is mainly useful for viewing or keeping a copy of a single EML file. Doing this manually for hundreds or thousands of EML files would be a very time consuming process.

For larger collections, consider Thunderbird or a dedicated migration

How to Import EML Files to Gmail Manually

Two manual ways can be used easily to open .eml in Gmail account. In both the free solutions, you need to use desktop-based email client applications Follow the below steps for the eml to Gmail migration process.

Method 1: Import EML to Gmail Using Thunderbird

1. Open the Windows Live Mail application and navigate to the File tab.
2. Choose the Import Messages option, then choose Windows Live Mail.
3. Tap on the Browse button to locate the file path and click Next.
4. Choose folders of EML files that you need to import, then click the Next button.
5. The import process of EML files will start.
6. Now, configure your Gmail account in Windows Live Mail.
7. Go to the Accounts tab and select Email.
8. Enter all the necessary credentials of your Gmail account and click Next.
9. Now, with the drag-and-drop feature import the needed EML files into your Gmail account.

Important:

• Windows Live Mail is no longer available to download; only users who are using it currently can access it.
• Lengthy and time-consuming process.

Method 2: Import EML Files to Gmail Using Outlook

If Microsoft Outlook is already installed on your computer, it can also be used as an intermediate application for working with EML files.

However, Outlook should not be described as a free EML-to-Gmail solution. Depending on your setup, Outlook may require Microsoft 365 or an eligible Office license.

1. Install and run the Outlook application on your computer.
2. Look for the EML file and drag and drop the file into Outlook.
3. You can now open and view the imported EML file.
4. Now, configure your Gmail account. For this Go to the File tab and select Add Account.
5. Enter your Gmail email address and password; click Continue.
6. After, drag and drop the previously imported EML files into your Gmail account.

Done!! Now, repeat the same steps for the remaining EML files.

As you can see, importing EML files to Gmail using Outlook is a bit complicated. Then, how do I import EML to Gmail without Outlook? That can be done using an automated tool.

Method 3: How to Import EML Files to Gmail in Bulk

Manual methods are useful if you have manageable number of EML files. But, if you have hundreds, thousands or multiple EML files and folders, then processing every message becomes difficult. A dedicated EML to Gmail import Tool is required in such situation. For example, Advik EML Converter can be used to migrate a large collection of EML files to Gmail through a complete conversion workflow. Instead of manually opening and transferring individual messages, the software is allows you to choose single or multiple EML files to Gmail mailbox.

Try the free demo version to experience its features before purchasing.

Import EML to Gmail Using Advik EML Converter

1. Install the current version of the software on your Windows computer.
2. Click Select Files or Folders to load EML files.                   
3. Choose the required email folders from preview mode.
4. Select Gmail as a saving option from the list.
5. Enter Gmail account credentials and press the Convert button.

Done!! Once the EML to Gmail migration is complete, open your Gmail account and check all the imported EML files in it.

Watch How Gmail Imports EML Files

Final Words

What you should do with EML files in Gmail depends on what you actually want to do.

For just opening a single EML file, the easiest solution is to attach it to a Gmail message and send it to yourself.

If you want to import several EML files, Thunderbird provides a free manual way without the need for Outlook. Current users of Outlook may also want to consider using Outlook as an intermediate application.

For large EML archives, a specialized solution like Advik EML Converter can help minimize the amount of manual work required for migration.

Most importantly, don’t think of “open EML in Gmail” and “import EML to Gmail” as exactly the same task. Opening one EML file is a viewing requirement, but migrating hundreds or thousands of EML files is a migration requirement. That distinction can be used to select the method, saving a lot of time and unnecessary software or configuration work.