Written by Jennifer Walsh. Reviewed for technical accuracy by Shubham Dixit, Independent Expert in Email Forensics and Data File Conversion.
Shubham is an independent external reviewer and not an employee of PCDOTS.
Quick answer. EML is the one format Zoho Mail imports directly, so this is easier than most. Zip your EML files and use Zoho’s own Import in Settings, no conversion needed. Or add Zoho as an IMAP account in Thunderbird and drag the EML in. A tool can upload a large set over IMAP in bulk.
On this page
Why EML has it easy with Zoho?
Here is the good news that makes this simpler than most migrations, EML is exactly the format Zoho’s own import accepts. Where an MBOX has to be converted to EML before Zoho will take it, an EML file needs no conversion at all, you just hand it over. That gives you a very clean free route, plus a second one over IMAP if you prefer.
So you have two free ways in. The first uses Zoho’s built in import, you zip your EML files and Zoho pulls them in. The second uses IMAP, you add Zoho to a mail client and drag the EML into a Zoho folder, where it syncs up. Both are free, and which you pick is down to what you find easier.
Two free doors into Zoho, and the import one takes EML as-is.
“EML into Zoho is one of the friendlier jobs, because Zoho’s import speaks EML natively. With MBOX you are converting first, but here you literally zip the files and Zoho takes them. The only thing to watch is the zip size limit, Zoho will not swallow an enormous archive in one go, so split a big set. And if you would rather skip zipping altogether, the IMAP route works, just remember Zoho wants an app-specific password when two-factor is on.” Shubham Dixit, Email Migration reviewer (draft, pending approval)
Zoho’s own import, zip and go
This is the route that makes EML easy, since Zoho accepts it directly. It all happens inside Zoho, no client needed.
Zip your EML files. Put your EML files into a single .zip with any zip tool. If you have a very large set, split it into a few zips, because Zoho caps the size of an import zip.
Open Zoho’s import. Sign in to Zoho Mail, go to Settings, then Import/Export, and choose Import from EML.
Import and pick a folder. Browse to your EML or zip file, choose whether to import into a chosen folder or straight into your account, and click Import. Zoho unpacks the EML into your mailbox, it can take up to about an hour to appear.
The import route is the smoothest for EML, the IMAP route just needs the app password.
The IMAP client way
If you would rather not zip, or you want to drag messages folder by folder, the IMAP route does the same job through a mail client.
Add Zoho as an IMAP account. In Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or another client, add your Zoho account as an IMAP account, the incoming server is imap.zoho.com. If two-factor is on, use an app-specific password, see the next section.
Bring the EML in and drag. EML files can be dragged straight into a local folder, or use the free ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird to import a folder at once. Then drag those messages into a folder under your Zoho account, and IMAP uploads them to Zoho.
The app-specific password
One detail applies only to the IMAP route. If your Zoho account has two-factor authentication on, Zoho will not accept your normal password from a client, you need an app-specific password.
In Zoho Mail, open your account security settings, generate an app-specific password for mail, and use that when you add Zoho to the client or the tool. Zoho’s own import does not need this, since it runs inside Zoho itself.
The bulk way, a tool
Zoho’s import is clean, but its zip size cap and lack of filtering can be a nuisance for a very large or selective migration. For that, a converter uploads the EML to Zoho over IMAP directly, with no zip step. The PCDOTS EML Converter loads EML files or a whole folder and sends them into your Zoho account over IMAP, in bulk, keeping attachments and headers, and it can filter by date or folder. It runs on Windows and uses the same app-specific password the IMAP route does when two-factor is on. A free version uploads the first ten items per folder so you can test it first.
The tool route, for a large or selective set of EML files.
Here are the steps with the screens.
Step 1. Install and run the converter on Windows, then open the menu.
Step 2. Choose Email Data Files, EML, and add your files or folder.
Step 3. Open the Export menu and select IMAP.
Step 4. Enter your Zoho address and app-specific password, then Save to upload.
For the same job from a different format, see our guide to import MBOX to Zoho Mail, for the client route see import EML files to Thunderbird, and you can open a message first with a free EML file viewer.
The methods compared
Match the route to how many EML files you have and whether you want to zip.
| Method | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho’s own import | Cleanest for EML, free | Zip has a size cap, no filters |
| IMAP client, drag in | No zipping, free | App password if two-factor on |
| EML Converter tool | Large or selective sets | Windows, uploads over IMAP |
Frequently asked questions
Does Zoho Mail import EML directly?
Yes. EML is the format Zoho’s own import accepts, so you do not convert anything. Zip your EML files and use Import from EML in Zoho’s settings.
How do I import EML to Zoho Mail for free?
Two free ways. Zip the EML and use Zoho’s Import in Settings, Import/Export, or add Zoho as an IMAP account in Thunderbird and drag the EML into a Zoho folder.
Is there a size limit on the import?
Zoho caps the size of an import zip, so a very large archive should be split into several zips. If that is a hassle, the IMAP route or a tool has no such cap.
Why will Thunderbird not accept my Zoho password?
If two-factor is on, Zoho needs an app-specific password for outside clients. Generate one in your Zoho account security settings and use that instead.
Do attachments come across?
Yes. EML files carry their attachments, and every route here keeps attachments and headers with the message.
Why can I not see the emails right away?
After a successful import it can take up to about an hour for the messages to appear in your Zoho mailbox. Give it a little time before worrying.
Which route fits your EML
The nice thing about Zoho is that EML meets it halfway, the import speaks EML natively, so most people can simply zip their files and let Zoho pull them in. Reach for the IMAP route when you would rather drag folders than zip, and the converter when the set is large or you want to filter what moves. All three keep your attachments intact and land the mail in the same place. So the only real question left is a small one, would you rather zip your EML and let Zoho do the work, or drag them in through a client?
