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I want to import all my Mailboxes from the Mail app in Snow Leopard to the Mail app in Mojave using the Import Mailboxes file menu option in the Mojave Mail app.
There are 2 choices: Import data from Apple Mail or import data in mbox format.
Which one should I choose?
iMac Line (2012 and Later)
As stated in the following support page, if you’re importing a mailbox exported from Mail or a folder in the ~/Library/Mail/V6 folder on another Mac, select Apple Mail. If you’re importing messages from a Windows or UNIX computer, select “Files in mbox format,” then locate the folder containing the files: https://support.apple.com/guide/mail/import-or-export-mailboxes-mlhlp1030/mac
In your case, since you're transferring mailboxes between Mail apps, the first choice is appropriate.
As stated in the following support page, if you’re importing a mailbox exported from Mail or a folder in the ~/Library/Mail/V6 folder on another Mac, select Apple Mail. If you’re importing messages from a Windows or UNIX computer, select “Files in mbox format,” then locate the folder containing the files: https://support.apple.com/guide/mail/import-or-export-mailboxes-mlhlp1030/mac
In your case, since you're transferring mailboxes between Mail apps, the first choice is appropriate.
If you used Mail in SnowLeopard and upgraded to Mojave OS, without deleting or anything of the "old" mails, Mojave will convert and put all mails in the V6 mailbox(es) automatically. It may take some time depending on how many mails you have in the (old, V1) mailbox. After this you have about the same space occupied by mails.
I'm importing mailboxes from the Library/Mail on a 9-year old iMac running macOS Snow Leopard. It does not have a folder named V6.
I spoke to support at Apple and he said to import the mailboxes in box format. That contradicts the information you included above, since I'm not importing from a Windows or UNIX computer.
Apple Support has given me incorrect information in the past so I wanted to ask the Support Communities to make sure before I do it.
I didn't upgrade to macOS Mojave. I have a new iMac with Mojave and want to import mailboxes from a 2009 iMac running macOS Snow Leopard. The 2 options are: Import data from Apple Mail or import data in mbox format. Even Apple Support is unsure about which one to use! That's why I posted my question with Support Communities.
Everyone is unsure because you are trying to import emails/file system which was completely different 9 years ago and has been changed several times since. I did this once in 10.10 or 10.12 and had to dig into the sub folders to literally do one email at a time. So, I'd try the mbox method, but success is not guaranteed. Best way probably is to send yourself all those emails to an online account where you will have access from your new Mac.
Is your Mac with Snow Leopard working? If yes, I'd simply export the mailboxes somewhere (an .mbox folder will be created for every mailbox) and them import them on the new iMac.
Try with one mailbox first to check the results.
Yes, the Mac with Snow Leopard is working fine. I saved the Mailboxes onto an external drive and then saved them onto the Desktop of my new Mac running Mojave. And yes, there is an .mbox for every mailbox. Each .mbox folder has within it the following: Attachments Folder, Info.plist, and Messages Folder. I'm not sure I can import just one mailbox, but I will give it a try.
Success! Here is what I did:
I tried importing a mailbox as an mbox file and got an error message saying "no valid mbox files were found".
I then tried importing as an Apple Mail file and got an error message. So I selected and imported BOTH mailbox folders for the same folder using Apple Mail, for example Pending and Pending.mbox, and I got the message: "You can find the imported mailboxes in the folder named Import in the Mailboxes list" which is under On My Mac.
Trail and error paid off! Thank you!!
Yes, try to import one mailbox. I'd go with the smallest one to test quickly. It should create locally (under the On My Mac group in your Mail's sidebar) the new mailbox.
I like your idea about sending myself all the old emails to an online account, but there are hundreds of them in many, many folders. It's a last resort option.
If you do it from one mac to another with a different OS, I think the method of Babowa is the most safe.
Importing Mailboxes in Apple Mail from Snow Leopard to Mojave
