How to Download All Emails from IMAP Server? Step-By-Step 

Overview: If you are struggling to download all emails from IMAP server, then this write-up is for you. Here you will find the different methods to save the emails from the IMAP server. 

All the email servers make use of the SMTP to send the emails. On the other hand, POP3 and IMAP are used to receive the emails. However, IMAP is widely used because it provides access to create, delete, and modify emails directly on the server. However, due to some of the reasons there is a need to download the emails directly from the IMAP server. For instance, if you want to backup all of your data at an extra security layer. For sharing all the emails with another user. Additionally, the backup of emails also helps in the migration. Because if you already have the data in your local storage then you can easily upload it to the destination account such as migrate from Infosaic to Office 365.

It is possible with the two different approaches. One is by configuring the IMAP server in the email client. Another one is by using the automated tool to store all the data from the IMAP server to local storage.

How to Save All Emails from IMAP Server Manually?

We can configure the IMAP server in different email clients such as Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.

So, in this article, we will take the Outlook email client and configure the IMAP in that. It requires two stages. One is to configure the IMAP server and another one is to download the emails.

So, let’s start with the stages.

Stage 1. Configure IMAP Server in Outlook

  1. Download and Install the email client on your machine(Outlook).
  2. Then provide the IMAP credentials to log in to Outlook.
  3. Re-enter the details for the confirmation.

Now wait till the synchronization process.

Stage 2. Download Emails from IMAP Server Using Outlook 

  1. Go to the File option.
  2. Choose Open&Export and then Import/Export.
  3. Select Export to a file option
  4. Select the destination location to save the resulting file.

Shortcomings

  1. Chances of data loss are also high.
  2. It does not provide any option to export the selective data.
  3. Provides the option to export one mailbox at a time.
  4. No surety of keeping the originality of data after the end of migration.

Download All Emails from IMAP Server Professionally

SysTools IMAP Email Backup Tool is one of the prominent tools to save all the emails from the IMAP server easily. It is used by multiple organizations to download the emails from the IMAP server. 

It provides different features that make the process simpler. It provides a simple and interactive interface that helps users to easily get familiar with the tool. This provides surety that the data will not be lost. You can use this tool to download your crucial emails. It is a robust and secure solution to save IMAP server emails in the local storage. After getting the backup you can also migrate from BlueDomino to Office 365 if required.

Working Steps of the Tool

Step 1. Download and Install the tool on your machine.

Step 2. Enter the essential credentials and move Next.

Step 3. Choose the folders for backup and also select the resulting file format.

Step 4. Click on the Advanced Settings option to enable the advanced options such as Delete After Download and Incremental Backup.

Step 5. Now choose the Destination location to save the resulting file.

Step 6. Finally, click on the Start Backup button to start the backup process.

Features of the Tool

  1. Able to download emails in multiple file formats such as PST, PDF, EML, and so on.
  2. Provides Date filter for the selection of emails.
  3. Delete the emails after download.
  4. Offers the different naming convention options.
  5. It supports all versions of the Mac Operating System.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we have explained the two different methods to download all emails from IMAP server. One is the manual approach which requires complex and lengthy steps. While the professional tool can complete the backup process without any hassle.