- User Query:
- Why Do We Need to Import PST files to IMAP Account?
- Manual Method to Import PST to IMAP Account
- Limitations & Drawbacks of Manual Method
- Professional Way to Import PST to IMAP Account
- Steps to follow & Import Outlook PST files to IMAP Server Account
- Screenshot of eSoftTools PST to IMAP Migration
- The Bottom Line:
This article is specially dedicated to users who need to Import PST to IMAP account directly. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can transfer PST files to IMAP server account without losing any emails or attachments.
An IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) server is a mail server that provides numerous features to access email messages through email clients. Using the IMAP protocol, users can easily access their emails from any device, anywhere, and at any time. IMAP synchronizes the data on the mail server with your computer, providing accessibility to the mail server from PCs, mobiles, tablets, etc.
Importing PST files to an IMAP server is one of the most common use cases for users who need to access emails from anywhere, at any time, and with any device they have. In this blog, we will discuss how to import a PST file into an IMAP account directly. Stay with us until the end of this article to learn the two most prominent ways to import an Outlook PST file to an IMAP server account.
User Query:
My name is David Hanlon from Ireland. I have been using MS Outlook for several years and now have 12 GB of email data saved in a PST file on my PC. I have started using my personal website and need to transfer the PST file to an IMAP account using a straightforward method. Despite extensive searching, I haven’t found a satisfactory solution. Can anyone assist me with migrating Outlook to IMAP server directly without any risk of data loss? Thanks in advance.
Why Do We Need to Import PST files to IMAP Account?
The reason behind the migration from Outlook to IMAP depends on the user-to-user requirements. Here we cover the most popular reasons and scenarios when an Outlook user thinks of importing PST to IMAP server account.
- Email Accessibility: Access IMAP emails from multiple devices and locations.
- Real-Time Synchronization: IMAP synchronizes emails and folders in real-time across all devices.
- Use Cloud Storage: Emails are stored on the server, preventing data loss from local computer failures and also saving local PC storage.
- Well-organized email Data: IMAP manages and organizes emails into folders that are accessible from any device.
- Migration to Mail Server: Move from a local email client to a more flexible, server-based email solution.
- Backup: Ensure email data is backed up and recoverable from the server.
Manual Method to Import PST to IMAP Account
The given below steps performs the import from Outlook PST to IMAP Account –
- First, open the “Microsoft Outlook” application.
- After that, navigate to the “File tab” on the left-hand side.
- Click on the “Open & Export” button.
- Further, choose the “Import/Export”.
- Now, click the “Export to a file” option and tap the “Next” button.
- Afterward, select the option “Personal Folder file” and click the “Next” button.
- Moving ahead, mark the Include “Sub-folders” checkbox option under the “Export Personal Folders” to export contacts and calendars too.
- Next, locate the “destination path” to download the newly created file and click the “Finish” button.
- At last, your PST file is uploaded to the IMAP server. As a result, IMAP is highlighted as the default server.
Limitations & Drawbacks of Manual Method
The manual method gives the free way to import PST to IMAP server account but it has some limitations and drawbacks as-
- These steps are for technically proficient users, and non-technical users may make mistakes that could lead to data loss during the migration.
- The manual method can be time-consuming, especially if the user has a large-sized Outlook PST file with important data.
- The user must have knowledge of setting up IMAP configurations.
- A single mistake can make data inaccessible from the PST file and sometimes cause the PST file to become corrupted.
- If the user has multiple PST files, bulk migration is not possible.
Professional Way to Import PST to IMAP Account
In a professional way, we describe a reliable and efficient tool that performs Outlook to IMAP migration more conveniently in a user-friendly environment. eSoftTools PST Recovery Software is one of the most popular software for importing Outlook emails with attachments to IMAP server accounts. This tool supports bulk PST file to IMAP migration with 100% accuracy.
The Outlook PST Recovery Software also provides multiple other conversion formats for users to choose and convert PST emails likewise convert PST to EML, MSG, MBOX, HTML, MHTML, Thunderbird, Zimbra, Lotus Notes, IMAP Accounts, Gmail, Office 365, Yahoo Mail, etc.
Steps to follow & Import Outlook PST files to IMAP Server Account
- Install and open eSoftTools Outlook PST Recovery Software
- Click on “Select PST” button from the toolbar
- Now choose the PST file selection option from the provided two ways to select the source PST file.
- Single PST File Selection – This option is most suitable if you want to Import a single PST file to IMAP account.
- Bulk Outlook PST file Conversion – Choose this option if you want multiple PST file to IMAP migration.
- Choose the appropriate option according to your requirements and click on the “Next” button.
- Once, the source PST file is selected, click on the “Start Scanning” button
- All the folders and sub-folders are displayed on the left panel of the software.
- Check the preview of emails and other items and click on the “Import into Cloud” button from the toolbar and further choose the option “Import PST to IMAP Account”
- Provide your IMAP Account login credentials such as – IMAP email address, Password, Host Name, and Port number.
- At last, click on “Convert” button to start the migration of PST to IMAP account.
Congratulations! You have done the successful PST to IMAP migration.
Screenshot of eSoftTools PST to IMAP Migration

The Bottom Line:
I hope the above article provides you with a way to successfully import PST files to IMAP account. In the article, we cover all the procedures, including a manual method, its limitations, and what users need to be mindful of during the manual process. We also describe a professional software, eSoftTools PST Recovery Software, which users can choose to effortlessly migrate PST files to IMAP account with all the data.