How to Switch from Opera Mail to Thunderbird Without Data Loss

Ritu Roy | email conversion how to MBOX software technology | 5 minutes read | Modified on: 16-07-2025
import Opera Mail emails to Thunderbird

Are you looking to convert Opera Mail to Thunderbird without disrupting your original folder structure? If so, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, the MacArmy team will walk you through a step-by-step process to successfully switch from Opera Mail to Mozilla Thunderbird.

Many users prefer to switch to Thunderbird for its active support and flexibility. The migration is achievable by importing .mbs files, the format in which Opera Mail stores its email messages directly into Thunderbird.

What Do Users Want? Know Here

Many users are looking to switch from Opera Mail to Thunderbird but not at the cost of losing their valuable email data. Let’s hear from a couple of real users who’ve shared their concerns:

“I’ve been using Opera Mail since 2014, which stores emails in .mbs file format. Now, I want to migrate to Thunderbird without losing any of my data. I prefer Mozilla Thunderbird because of its advanced features and user-friendly interface. Can you suggest a reliable and simple method to make this switch?”
David, California

“There’s no doubt that Mozilla Thunderbird is a more powerful and secure desktop email client compared to Opera Mail. I’ve decided to switch, but I don’t want to lose access to my old Opera Mail emails stored in MBS format. Can you recommend a trustworthy solution to import MBS to Thunderbird and put all my doubts to rest?”
Smith Harber, Florida

These are common concerns among users who want a smooth and lossless migration to Thunderbird while keeping their folder hierarchy and attachments intact. If you relate to these situations, read on, we’ve got a proven solution for you.

Difference Between Opera Mail and Mozilla Thunderbird

FeatureOpera MailMozilla Thunderbird
OverviewA free email client developed by the makers of the Opera browser. Discontinued in 2016.A free, open-source, cross-platform email client developed by Mozilla. Actively maintained and updated.
FunctionalityAllowed users to read emails, browse the web, and manage RSS feeds from a single interface.Offers a full suite of features including email, chat, RSS feeds, and newsgroups.
StatusNo longer supported or updated since 2016.Actively supported with frequent updates and improvements.
Protocols SupportedSupports SMTP for outgoing emails and POP3/IMAP for incoming messages.Also supports POP3/IMAP and SMTP protocols for seamless email management.
CustomizationLimited customization options due to discontinued development.Highly customizable with themes, extensions, and add-ons.
Security & UpdatesNo longer receives security updates or patches.Regularly updated with new features and security enhancements.
IntegrationWas integrated with Opera browser features.Integrates with calendar apps, address books, and other productivity tools.

Reasons to Migrate Opera Mailbox to Thunderbird

There are several compelling reasons why users choose to move their emails from Opera Mail to Mozilla Thunderbird. Below are some of the key motivations:

Opera Mail can take a considerable amount of time to synchronize email data, leading to a frustrating user experience, especially for those handling large mailboxes.

Since Opera Mail was discontinued in 2016, it no longer receives updates or community support. This makes it harder for users to contribute to or rely on the platform in the long term.

Thunderbird offers a convenient multi-tabbed interface, allowing users to open multiple emails, folders, and settings windows simultaneously for efficient navigation.

Thunderbird includes features like mail archiving, fast search, filters, tagging, and smart folders, making it easier to organize and manage emails.

Thunderbird is equipped with robust security tools such as spam filters, phishing protection, firewalls, and antivirus integration to keep your mailbox safe.

While Thunderbird maintains a clean and consistent design, it offers greater flexibility and customization through themes, extensions, and add-ons.

How to Extract Emails from Opera Mail

Before migrating to Thunderbird, you first need to export your emails from Opera Mail in the .mbs format. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Open Opera Mail and navigate to the folder you wish to migrate (e.g., Inbox, Sent, etc.).
  2. Right-click on the selected folder.
  3. From the drop-down menu, choose Export.
  4. Choose a destination location on your system and save the folder as an .mbs file with a recognizable name.

Once the .mbs file is successfully exported, you’re ready to proceed with the next step importing Opera Mail MBS files into Mozilla Thunderbird.

Read More – Import Opera Mail Emails to Outlook

Migrate Opera Mail to Thunderbird Account

Thousands of users are now looking to switch from Opera Mail to Mozilla Thunderbird due to Thunderbird’s modern interface, active support, and enhanced features. One of the most common queries is how to export Opera Mail data to the Thunderbird profile quickly and securely. To achieve this, a reliable and professional solution such as the MacArmy MBOX Converter is highly recommended.

 This powerful tool allows users to directly import Opera Mail’s .mbs files into Thunderbird without any complex steps or data loss. It supports batch migration, making it easy to convert multiple Opera Mail mailboxes at once, and maintains folder structure, email formatting, and attachments during the process. The software is fully compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, offering flexibility for all users. Whether you want to migrate specific folders or an entire Opera Mail account, this solution ensures a smooth and accurate transition to Thunderbird.

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Note: You can free download the MBOX File Converter tool, which allows users to export the first 25 emails from each folder to the Thunderbird email client. For unlimited migration without restrictions, you will need to purchase the full version of the software for lifetime use.

Opera Mail to Thunderbird Migration – Major Features & Benefits

The software is packed with advanced features that make it an ideal choice for users looking to export Opera Mail emails directly to the default Thunderbird profile location. Below are some of the key features and benefits:

  • Easily export multiple Opera Mail .mbs files to Thunderbird in one go, saving time and effort.
  • The tool automatically detects the default Thunderbird profile location, enabling direct and quick migration without manual configuration.
  • Maintains the on-disk system folder structure during the transfer, ensuring your mailbox organization remains intact.
  • Keeps all email metadata intact including sender/receiver details, timestamps, message layout, fonts, and formatting.
  • Safely exports emails along with all embedded attachments to Thunderbird without any loss.
  • Allows importing not only emails but also contacts from Opera Mail to Thunderbird.
  • Compatible with all major Mac OS including Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, and High Sierra. This broad compatibility ensures that users running different Mac operating systems can rely on the software for a smooth and efficient migration process without any performance issues
  • The Opera Mail to Thunderbird migration tool supports a wide range of file formats – PST, EML, MSG, PDF, CSV, DOC, HTML, Office 365, Gmail, Thunderbird, OLM, IMAP, Yahoo Mail, Outlook.com, and many more.
  • Features a simple, interactive GUI designed for both technical and non-technical users to perform the migration quickly and effortlessly.
  • Generates a comprehensive log report detailing the entire migration process, helping users track the export status and troubleshoot if needed.

The Verge

In this article, we explored how users can quickly export their Opera Mail emails to a Thunderbird mail account using an advanced Opera Mail to Thunderbird migration tool. The free version of the software allows exporting up to 25 emails from each folder of the Opera MBS file. To perform unlimited migration of mailbox items, users need to activate the software by purchasing a license from the official product page. For any further assistance or queries, the technical support team is readily available to help.