Can I get Tbird to download a backload of unread messages from my Gmail account inbox?
My daily-use computer which has my Tbird POP3 archives has been in the service shop for over a month due to a faulty adapter replacement problem. During that time, I have used an old ThinkPad which also has a copy of Tbird on it to do my emailing. I've configured the ThinkPad Tbird to leave mail on the server. There are now several hundred mails in the Gmail incoming mailbox that I would like downloaded into my daily-use computer which is now back from the shop so that I can keep all my mails (incoming and sent) in Tbird which keeps track of my correspondents by filtering their incoming mail.
Upon using Tbird in my daily-use computer for the first time since its return from the shop, Tbird did NOT download any of the old unread messages in the Gmail inbox; it only got those from yesterday! Therefore I do not have running conversations for my correspondents. Maybe it's a date problem?
I hope there is a work-around to having to forward everything that's still in the Gmail inbox; but that option would remove the original sender's address! There are 251 emails dating from June 26-Aug 20, 2015 that I want Tbird to download so that it can filter them correctly.
Suggestions and comments are most welcomed.
Peter in Thailand
Modified by P_Puthorn
Chosen solution
Hi Gnospen,
Thanks for yet another good way to solve my problem.
I have, as of earlier today, been able to collect the Gmail messages and put them into Tbird.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who have taken time to help me out with my problem. It's great to know that help is available provided one knows where and how to ask for it.
Regards, Peter LaRamee in Thailand
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go here https://mail.google.com/mail/#settings/fwdandpop and change you gmail setting to allow all mail even that which has already been downloaded.
Thanks Matt!
Your suggestion did manage to download 151 messages OK.
I have removed these from Google's inbox and archived them.
However, there are still 101 messages in the Google inbox which Tbird says "There are no new messages to download."
Regards, Peter in Thailand
Once you have made the changes as advised in your webmail settings, gmail will only allow downloading again for emails dated as the last 30 days, so that might explain why you have not managed to get all of the emails.
If those emails are really important, you could access them via the old ThinkPad. Either forward them to yourself - this would have the effect of putting them back on the server with a new received date on the email (assuming this will not bother you), but original info will be retained as it is a 'forwarded' email. So should allow auto downloading.
Or you could save the emails in .eml format in a folder. Then copy folder to PC. You can highlight emails, right click on highlighted emails and choose 'SAve As', then choose where to save them and make sure they are saved as .eml files.
Another method - use the addon described below to Export the emails and import them.
Use this addon to export/import to Thunderbird on pc.
Download addon extenstion .xpi file to PC desktop (also Thinkpad if using to export)
In Thunderbird Tools > Addons OR Menu icon > Addons click on gear wheel icon and select 'Install addon from file' locate the .xpi file you downloaded and click on Open You will need to restart Thunderbird.
To export: Put all emails you want to export into a specific folder. you could export the folder as mbox file or as individual .eml files
right click on folder > importexportools > Export folder OR right click on folder > importexportools > Export all messages in the folder > Eml format
To import eml files: Right click on folder > ImportExporttools > Import Messages locate the .eml files in folder Select email .eml files and click on Open to import to folder. OR To import mbox file Right click on folder > ImportExporttools > Import mbox file select ; import directly one or more mbox files click on OK locate file and click on Open
Dear Toad-Hall & Matt,
A VERY BIG thanks for your advice which has brought to light many options for solving my wish to move some of my Gmail messages over to Tbird.
You have both made my day and I can now let Tbird filter the transferred mails into their proper folders where I keep all my correspondence.
Many thanks for the prompt replies and detailed instructions!
Regards, Peter LaRamee in Thailand
Good advice. ImportExportTools is great. There is also another way as I noticed it was a Gmail account. Google have a way to zip and download a copy of all your mails at one go. TakeOut
https://www.google.com/settings/takeout
It creates "All mail Including Spam and Trash.mbox" inside "takeout....zip" As it includes Spam and Trash, so empty and compact those before takeout
You can unzip rename and import it to your local folder.
Modified by Gnospen
Chosen Solution
Hi Gnospen,
Thanks for yet another good way to solve my problem.
I have, as of earlier today, been able to collect the Gmail messages and put them into Tbird.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who have taken time to help me out with my problem. It's great to know that help is available provided one knows where and how to ask for it.
Regards, Peter LaRamee in Thailand