Import PST to Yahoo Mail – Move Emails, Contacts & Folders
Many users, including myself, struggle when they need to import PST to Yahoo Mail because Yahoo doesn’t support PST files directly. If you want to switch from MS Outlook to Yahoo, the process can feel confusing and frustrating.
I faced the same challenge, but by using the right methods, I was able to transfer my PST data into Yahoo Mail safely. This guide outlines the methods I chose and the quick steps I followed to migrate emails, contacts, and other data simultaneously. So, let’s begin our discussion!
Why Import PST File to Yahoo Mail?
No doubt, Outlook provides robust security and enough space to store email data. Still, it comes with several limitations, which is why users prefer moving PST data into Yahoo Mail:
- Yahoo Mail is cloud-based, so one could access emails from any device without Outlook.
- Importing PST to Yahoo Mail added an extra layer of safety against local system crashes.
- Want all emails from different accounts in a centralised location.
- Moving from an on-premise setup (Outlook) to cloud cloud-based (Yahoo).
Overall, Outlook stores data in the Personal storage table, which is the most sensitive file format and can be corrupted easily. At that time, the user can’t access the data. So, importing PST to Yahoo helps users to bypass the file corruption, data steal, data loss, or Outlook crashes scenarios.
For the same, next I’ll share the methods and step-by-step instructions for the transition.
How to Import PST to Yahoo Mail – 3 Proven Methods
Since Yahoo Mail supports only MBOX and EML file formats for import. So, I had to use alternative methods to transfer my PST data. Before moving to the migration, first check the Yahoo mail storage limit to move data without error.
Here are those approaches I tried:
#Solution 1. Using Outlook + IMAP Configuration
Have you ever heard about IMAP configuration? If not, then don’t worry, I’ll explain to you in simple words. In this, you have to add a Yahoo account to Outlook, then import PST file to Yahoo Mail.
Don’t get confused! Here are the detailed steps that make you understand the whole procedure easily:
First, generate the app password:
- Open the Yahoo Account Security page, and log in with your Yahoo email and password.
- If you have two-step verification enabled, complete the verification. Make sure Two-step verification is turned ON.
- Afterwards, click Account Security > App Password.
- A window will appear asking you to select your app, i.e., Outlook.
- Choose it, and hit Generate.
- Yahoo will generate a 16-character password.
Copy it and follow further instructions to import PST to Yahoo Mail:
-
- Log in to your Yahoo account.
- Go to Account Security > Allow apps that use IMAP.
- Now, open Outlook, and click on the File option > Add Account.
- Enter your Yahoo email & generated app password. Provide IMAP server settings for Yahoo Mail:
- Incoming Mail (IMAP) Server
-
- Server – imap.mail.yahoo.com
- Port – 993
- Requires SSL – Yes
- Outgoing Mail (SMTP) Server
-
- Server – smtp.mail.yahoo.com
- Port – 465 or 587
- Requires SSL – Yes
- Requires authentication – Yes
- Again, come to the Outlook, and hit the File option.
- Select, Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Now, press the Import from another program or file, and click Outlook Data File (.pst).
- Browse and select a PST file.
- Once the PST is imported, drag and drop emails from the PST folder into your Yahoo Inbox or custom folders in Outlook.
Since Yahoo was connected via IMAP, all the emails automatically synced to the server. This is a free and straightforward technique to import PST file to Yahoo Mail. But if you want to move Outlook files from multiple accounts simultaneously, this is not practical. For the same, you have to opt for the automated solution, which we’ll cover next.
#Solution 2. Import PST to Yahoo Mail Via Professional Tool
At one point, I also tested specialised tools that directly import PST files into Yahoo Mail without requiring Outlook. I found it much easier to use the SysTools IMAP Migrator. This tool offers to directly import PST data into any IMAP-enabled account, including Yahoo Mail.
Before any commitments, you can try this solution for free now!
If you migrate PST via this, you’ll get these benefits:
- Don’t need to configure Outlook manually; the tool will automatically connect to Yahoo Mail via IMAP and import PST data directly.
- Facility to choose specific PST folders, including Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, or custom folders.
- Offers advanced filters like Date filter, delta migration, re-run migration, and more to migrate data in minimal time, smoothly.
- All attachments, read/unread status, folder hierarchy, and email properties remain intact after migration.
- Supports both Windows & macOS systems.
Now, follow the software steps to import PST to Yahoo Mail:
- Step 1. Open the software, and select the Email option. You can add a Date filter if you need to migrate specific data.
- Step 2. Now, choose the IMAP Server type (Outlook). After adding, the tool will automatically fetch, IMAP Server URL. Click Next.
- Step 3. Afterwards, do the same for the destination, and this time select the IMAP Server type as Yahoo.
- Step 4. To fetch source users, select the Import Users or Download Template option.
- Step 5. Finally, hit the start migration button to proceed.
This solution you can also use to import PST to Google Workspace, AOL, Hotmail, iCloud, etc.
#Solution 3. Manual Forwarding
Initially, I thought about just opening PST in Outlook and forwarding important emails to Yahoo manually. Remember, it’s not practical for large PST files (more than 100) because:
- Forwarding takes too long.
- Attachments and metadata may not remain intact.
- The email structure gets messy.
For a 50 to 100-file migration, you can use this by following these steps:
- Launch Outlook on your system to import PST to Yahoo Mail.
- Go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.
- Browse and select your PST file to load it in Outlook.
- Open the PST folder in Outlook.
- Select one or multiple emails to send to Yahoo Mail.
- Click Forward or Forward as Attachment.
- Enter your Yahoo Mail address in the recipient field.
- Click Send.
- Log in to your Yahoo account.
- Check the Inbox for forwarded emails.
Alternative to Import PST to Yahoo Mail
After the migration, I understand that importing PST to Yahoo is a hassle. So, I researched alternatives to this. Luckily, I found some relevant information that if I convert PST to MBOX, then it can be directly imported to Yahoo.
MBOX is a widely used file format and is supported by many email clients like Thunderbird, Apple Mail, etc. This means, in the future, you can import PST to Thunderbird or other clients if you convert it.
When it comes to file format conversions, I only rely on SysTools PST to MBOX Converter. It converts data in batches. It doesn’t matter if your PST is healthy or not; it can convert highly corrupted data in one go.
Here are the quick steps for conversion:
- Step 1. Launch the software, and click on Add file button.
- Step 2. Levearge Select File or Search File option.
- Step 3. Browse PST & select it.
- Step 4. Use the Advanced Scan option if PST is corrupted.
- Step 5. Lastly, press the Export button.
After the conversion, you can import the resultant files directly to Yahoo Mail.
So, by following these methods, you can easily migrate Outlook files to Yahoo. In the future, you can download Emails from Yahoo and import them to another email client using this approach.
Best Practices to Import PST to Yahoo Mail Hassle-free
Still, we have reliable methods and accurate steps. Following these best practices makes the migration a breeze:
- Use Yahoo App Password for Outlook/IMAP login.
- Ensure IMAP access is enabled in Yahoo Mail settings.
- Split large PST files (>2GB) into smaller ones for smooth import.
- Import in batches instead of one big file.
- Verify folder mapping after migration.
- Check internet stability during sync to avoid errors.
- Verify Office 365 backup best practices before starting migration.
- Use a professional tool for multiple PSTs or large-scale import.
Author’s Verdict
Method 1 (Outlook + IMAP) is reliable and works without third-party tools, but it’s a bit time-consuming to import PST to Yahoo Mail with this. If you’re handling large PST files, I’d suggest using a specified import tool to import PST file to Yahoo Mail in minutes.
People Also Ask
Q1. Can I upload a PST file directly to Yahoo Mail?
No, Yahoo Mail doesn’t support PST files natively. You need Outlook or a third-party tool.
Q2. Will the folder hierarchy remain the same?
Yes, when I imported PST using Outlook IMAP, the folder structure was preserved.
Q3. Is Outlook required to import PST file to Yahoo Mail?
Only for the IMAP method. If you use a professional PST to Yahoo import tool, Outlook isn’t needed.
Q4. How long does it take to import PST to Yahoo Mail?
It depends on PST size and internet speed. My 2GB PST took around 2–3 hours to fully sync.