How to Import OST to Zoho Mail – Complete Guide

Zoho Mail is one of the best alternatives to Outlook when it comes to managing emails, contacts, notes, and calendars for personal and official purposes. Whatever your reason for importing OST to Zoho Mail, we have outlined two reliable solutions (automated and manual) to help you export your valuable data securely.

Reasons to Import OST to a Zoho Mail Account

• OST files are associated with an Outlook profile and may become inaccessible if the profile is deleted or stops working for any reason, whereas migrating emails from OST to Zoho Mail allows access to important emails through a web browser without needing Outlook.
• For centralised email management, the idea of transferring emails from OST to Zoho Mail works well, as it allows you to manage emails, folders, and other mailbox data on a single platform.
• You can access your Zoho Mail data from any device, including your laptop or phone. This means you can access your important emails anytime.
• In case your OST file is orphaned or damaged, recovery may be difficult. By migrating emails from OST to Zoho Mail, you can access important email data through your Zoho Mail account, provided the migration is successful.
• With the use of Zoho Mail, you can reduce your dependence on Outlook.

Also Read: How to Import MBOX to Zoho Mail

Zoho Mail IMAP/SMTP Configuration

The given configuration settings help you connect your Zoho Mail account in Outlook, Thunderbird, or another supported email client. There may be a slight variation in settings depending on the type of Zoho account you are using- free or paid.

IMAP and SMTP server settings

For personal and eligible free organisation accounts

According to Zoho, use imappro.zoho.com for IMAP configuration if you have a paid organisation account with a custom domain.

Login Details

• Username: Full Zoho Mail email address.
• Password: Zoho Mail Password.
• SMTP authentication: Enabled.

3. Enable IMAP access

1. Access your Zoho account.
2. Go to Settings, then Mail Account, and choose the primary email address.
3. Locate the IMAP section to activate it.
4. Save your settings.

Note: If login fails, you likely need an App Password. See how to create a Zoho Mail App Password.

Method 1: Import OST file to Zoho Mail Account Using IMAP Sync

Note: You cannot export PST files to Zoho Mail directly using the IMAP protocol; instead, you need to sync the PST file through a configured IMAP account in Outlook to make the import process successful.

Step 1: Convert OST to PST Using MS Outlook

As you can see, first you need to convert the OST files to PST format before importing into your Zoho Mail Account.

Note: The manual migration method for OST to PST will work only when the current Outlook profile can access the OST file data. In case you have orphaned OST files, this manual method will not work. You need a third-party program to recover OST files to PST format.

1. Access the MS Outlook desktop application by providing the credentials with which the OST file is associated.
2. Press the File menu, then select the Import/Export wizard and press Import/Export.
3. From the Import and Export Wizard, choose the “Export to a File” action and click Next. Then, select the Outlook Data File (.pst) as a format and click Next.
4. After this, select the mailbox or folder you wish to export, then check Include subfolders. Press Next.
5. Press the “Browse” button to choose a destination folder to save the exported PST file.

Step 2: Import PST via Outlook IMAP Sync

1. Open your Zoho Mail account settings via a web browser, ensure IMAP Access is enabled, and generate an App Password if required.
2. Open your MS Outlook desktop app, go to File -> Add Account, and configure your Zoho Mail account using IMAP (imap.zoho.com / smtp.zoho.com). Wait for your Zoho mailbox to appear in the folder pane.
3. Once your Zoho account is successfully synced in Outlook, go to File ->Open & Export -> Import/Export.
4. Choose Import from another program or file, select Outlook Data File (.pst), and browse to select the PST file you exported in the previous step.
5. In the import options, select your active Zoho Mail account folder as the destination to import the items.
6. Outlook will automatically upload and synchronise the local PST data straight to your cloud-based Zoho Mail account.

Drawbacks of the Manual Method

• It is a time-consuming process because of the requirements of various manual steps.
• The migration process needs great technical skills.
• Conversion is only possible with the help of an active Outlook profile associated with the target OST file.

Method 2: Direct Solution Using an OST to Zoho Mail Converter

You will be surprised to learn that there are several solutions available to export OST to Zoho Mail. But in case the OST file is too large or corrupted, inaccessible, damaged, or orphaned, you need to use a professional tool. WholeClear OST to IMAP Converter is one of the most sophisticated applications recommended for OST to Zoho Mail conversion. It exports emails, contacts, notes, and other OST data to Zoho without Outlook.

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Steps to Import OST to Zoho Mail

1. Download and launch the OST to Zoho Mail Migration Tool.
2. Click “Browse” to select the required OST file.
3. Get a preview and then filter the required data.
4. Now, select “IMAP” Option.
5. Now,  provide the credentials of Zoho Mail, then press the “Authenticate Me” tab.
6. After this, select an existing folder to save the exported data or create a new folder.
7. Press the “Convert” button.

Advantages of this Recommended Program

• Export OST data to Zoho Mail without Outlook, enabling independent conversion.
• The tool supports the conversion of orphaned OST files.
• The conversion process offers advanced data filtration, allowing you to choose folders and subfolders to export data according to your preferences.
• The tool supports the export of complete data, including emails with their attachments, while preserving the folder structure and metadata.
• The tool provides a preview of the OST data in its preview pane. This allows you to verify that you have selected the right OST file before conversion.
• To connect to the Zoho Mail account, the utility requires only the account credentials.
• The exported data can be saved to a new or existing folders.

Conclusion

OST to Zoho Mail conversion is possible manually and automatically. If you have an active OST file, you can choose the manual method; otherwise, a third-party tool is the best alternative. Orphaned OST files are almost impossible to import and access without help from a reliable third-party application.

FAQs

Can I Import OST to Zoho Mail without Outlook?

Yes, you can import OST data into Zoho Mail without Outlook by using a reliable third-party program that supports the conversion of orphaned OST files.

Can I Migrate OST files to Zoho Mail on Linux?

You can easily migrate OST files to Zoho Mail on Linux by using WholeClear OST to IMAP Converter. It works smoothly on Linux, Windows and Mac.

Does Zoho Mail have a file Size limit for Import?

Yes, it does. For an individual EML file, the limit is up to 10 MB, and for a ZIP file, the limit is up to 200 MB.