Best Methods to Convert PST files to MSG for Mac without Losing Any Attachments

Managing email data across different operating systems is often challenging, especially for Mac users who work with Microsoft Outlook files created on Windows. One of the most common issues is converting PST files into MSG files, which are single-message files widely used for individual email archiving, evidence handling, and safe sharing. While PST is a database-style file that stores an entire mailbox, MSG stores just one email message making it ideal for selective backup and documentation.

But here’s the challenge: Outlook for Mac does not support MSG files, and macOS does not natively provide an option to export PST files to MSG format. So, this blog explains the complete process of How You can convert PST files to MSG for Mac, including manual techniques, limitations, and better alternatives you can rely on in 2025.

What Are PST and MSG Files?

Before diving into conversion methods, it’s important to understand the formats involved.

PST: A Windows Outlook database file. Stores emails, attachments, contacts, tasks, calendar entries. Not supported natively on Mac.

MSG: A single email message file. Contains header, body, formatting, metadata, and attachments. Created and opened only via Outlook for Windows. Can storing messages individually

Why Convert PST Files to MSG on Mac?

Users often convert PST files to MSG for several reasons:

Selective Email Extraction: MSG files are perfect when you need to extract specific emails rather than the entire PST database.

Legal & Compliance Requirements: Courts, HR teams, and legal departments often request emails in MSG format for authenticity and metadata integrity.

Easy Backup & Sharing: MSG files are lightweight and can be stored individually for organized backups.

Preservation of Metadata: MSG keeps original message properties intact, including sender, receiver, timestamps, and internal metadata often lost in formats like PDF.

Can You Convert PST to MSG Directly on Mac?

Unfortunately, no.                                                                                                                       

Outlook for Mac does not support MSG format at all. That means:

However, there are two practical solutions:

1. Use Outlook on Mac + Outlook on Windows together

2. Use a professional PST to MSG Converter for Mac

Let’s explore both.

Method 1: Convert PST files to MSG Using Outlook

Free but requires access to a Windows system. This is the most reliable manual method if you don’t want to use any third-party tool.

Step 1: Import PST into Outlook for Mac

1. Install Outlook for Mac.

2. Go to Tools then Import.

3. Select Outlook for Windows archive (.pst).

4. Import your PST file to view its contents.

Although you can view the emails, Outlook for Mac cannot create MSG files, so the next step must be done on a Windows PC.

Step 2: Sync Emails to an Email Account

To transfer your emails to a Windows system:

1. Add an IMAP email account like Gmail, Outlook.com, or Yahoo to Outlook on Mac.

2. Drag and drop the PST folders you want into the IMAP account.

3. Wait for the sync to complete.

4. Open Outlook on a Windows PC using the same IMAP account.

All your emails will appear there.

Step 3: Export MSG Files Using Outlook on Windows

Once synced:

1. Open Outlook on Windows.

2. Select the email you need.

3. Drag it to your desktop.

4. Outlook automatically creates an MSG file.

Repeat this for all emails you want to convert.

Pros & Cons of the Hybrid Method

Pros:

1.100% free                                  

2.Preserves metadata

3.No external software needed

Cons:

1.Very time-consuming

2.Requires both Mac and Windows

3.Not suitable for bulk conversion

4.Attachments may sync slowly

Method 2: Convert PST to MSG for Mac Using a Professional Mac Tool

Since Outlook Mac doesn’t support MSG, these tools bridge the gap by offering direct conversion on macOS. And the manual method is slow and requires a Windows system, many users and organizations prefer a dedicated PST to MSG for Mac Tool. The MacMister PST Converter for Mac tool directly read PST files on macOS. Also allow selective and bulk email extraction. Preserve formatting, metadata, and attachments and Export each email as a clean, separate MSG file. It has many other file formats such as MBOX, PDF, MSG, EML, etc. and it’s compatible with all the Mac Systems.

Some Primary Features of Outlook to MSG Tool:

Bulk Conversion: This tool allows to convert multiple files safely at once.

User Friendly Interface: This utility has one of the easy and simple GUI and doesn’t need ant technological expertise to use this.

Preview Option: This software also offers its user preview of the selected emails.

Folder Hierarchy: This utility maintains the folder structure of the emails keeping the data format intact.

Free Demo: This software also offer its users a free demo  so that they can first try and watch its reliability before any purchase this tool also allow to convert up to 25 emails.

Steps to Convert PST files to MSG for Mac Using Outlook Converter:

1: Install the Mac PST to MSG Tool on your Mac.

2: Select the required emails or folders.

3: Preview all mailbox folders.

4: Choose MSG as the output format.                 

5: now select the destination folder.

6: Click Convert to start the process and once the conversion is done you can also save the report of the conversion.

This method is fast, efficient, and ideal for large PST files containing thousands of emails.

Final Thoughts

The whole process to convert PST files to MSG on Mac is not straightforward because Apple’s environment does not support the MSG format natively. However, you can still achieve seamless conversion using this Mac PST File Converter which is best for accuracy and bulk conversion also this tool preserve attachment hierarchy and metadata md also provide trail to the users which allow to export up to 25 emails from the folder.