sub-hunt.com
All guides

How to export Yahoo Mail to an .mbox file

5 min read · Updated 2026-05-30

Yahoo Mail — and the AOL accounts that run on the same system — doesn't offer a direct .mbox download. As with Outlook, the reliable route is Thunderbird over IMAP. The one Yahoo-specific wrinkle is that you'll generate an “app password” instead of using your normal one.

Yahoo keeps your mail on its IMAP servers, so any standards-based client can read it. Thunderbird connects, syncs the folder you choose, and exports it to .mbox. For security, Yahoo requires third-party apps to use a generated app password rather than your account password — creating one takes a minute and you can revoke it afterward.

Export Yahoo Mail via Thunderbird

  1. Generate a Yahoo app password. Sign in to Yahoo, open Account Security, and choose “Generate app password” (or “Manage app passwords”). Name it “Thunderbird” and copy the password Yahoo shows you.
  2. Install Thunderbird and the export add-on. Download Thunderbird from thunderbird.net and add the ImportExportTools NG extension via the menu → Add-ons and Themes.
  3. Add your Yahoo account using the app password. In Thunderbird, choose Add Mail Account, enter your Yahoo address, and paste the app password in place of your normal password. Thunderbird auto-detects Yahoo's IMAP settings.
  4. Let the folder sync, then export it. Click the Inbox, wait for it to finish downloading, then right-click it and choose ImportExportTools NG → Export folder. Save the .mbox to your Desktop.
  5. Scan the .mbox. Drop the exported file onto sub-hunt to surface the subscriptions and recurring charges in your Yahoo inbox.

Good to know

  • An app password only works for the one app you created it for, and you can delete it the moment you're done — your main password is never shared with Thunderbird.
  • AOL Mail runs on Yahoo's infrastructure; the same app-password-plus-Thunderbird steps apply.
  • If the Inbox is large, give it time to sync fully before exporting, or you'll get a partial archive.
  • Connecting Thunderbird reads your mail; it doesn't delete or move anything in Yahoo.

Frequently asked questions

  • Why do I need an app password for Yahoo?
    Yahoo blocks third-party email apps from using your main password for security. An app password is a single-purpose credential you generate for Thunderbird and can revoke at any time without changing your real password.
  • Can I export Yahoo Mail without Thunderbird?
    Yahoo has no native .mbox export, so you need a client that can connect over IMAP and write the archive. Thunderbird is the free, reliable choice; any IMAP-capable client that exports mbox would also work.
  • Does this work for AOL Mail?
    Yes. AOL accounts share Yahoo's systems, so the app-password and Thunderbird steps are identical.
  • Is my Yahoo mail uploaded when I scan it?
    No. The .mbox is parsed in your browser only. sub-hunt uploads nothing.

Ready to scan your inbox?

Once you have your .mbox file, drop it into sub-hunt.com. Everything is parsed in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

Open the scanner

More guides