How to Open an EML File

Whatever your reason for having EML files on your computer (possibly backup), you’re probably wondering how to open them. There are various ways to do this across different devices.

In this article, we will explain how to open these files, regardless of the device you’re using to access them.

How to Open an EML File

All devices have their own default program that opens EML files. For Windows, this is Outlook. For Mac computers, this is Apple Mail. Whether you’ve downloaded the message from Gmail or another email service, the default apps for EML files are going to vary across different devices. Of course, you can change these default apps on most of these.

How to Open an EML File on Windows

Manually opening EML files on Windows 7, 8, and 10 is as easy as double-clicking on it. The file will then start the Outlook app. Of course, some people prefer using other apps – Outlook doesn’t suit everyone’s needs. Windows, thankfully, allows you to open an EML file in a variety of ways. Bear in mind that these involve using various browsers. Don’t worry, though, you don’t need an internet connection to open an EML file. Here’s what to do:

1. Right-click on the EML file in question.
   
2. Navigate to the Open with entry and click it.
   
3. A window will pop up, prompting you to select an app to open the EML file with.
   
4. Select a browser app to run the file.
   

If you want to make this app your default one for opening EML files automatically, check the box next to Always use this app to open .eml files.

If you want to change the default app for EML files manually, here’s what to do:

1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the Start icon on the lower-left corner of the screen.
   
2. Type in “default programs,” “default apps,” or “default app settings.”
   
3. Select the resulting app.
   
4. In the next window, go to Associate a file type with a program or Choose default apps by type.
   
5. Find the .eml entry on the list of extensions.
   
6. Your current default app for viewing EML files will be selected (by default it’s Microsoft Outlook).
7. Click the current default app.
   
8. Select your new preferred default from the list or click Look for an app in the Microsoft Store.
   

Keep in mind, however, that using the Outlook app for opening EML files will give you access to the attachments, as well as the written content. Using most third-party apps to do this will only give you text content within an EML file.

How to Open an EML File on Mac

If you use an Apple device to download an email, it’s going to be saved as an EMLX file. This is Apple’s version of EML files. Unless you’ve set up your Apple Mail, trying to open an EML file from a Mac device will result in the device suggesting to you to download the macOS Outlook app. Double-clicking on the EML file will open it in Apple Mail.

You can also select the file and press the space bar button on your keyboard to open the file in preview. This will display the email, but won’t give you access to any attachments. Another method of accessing the text part of the email is renaming it as an MHT or MHTML file (swapping the .eml extension for .mht or .mhtml).

The best thing to do here, however, is to set up your Apple Mail. This way, you will get full access to all attachments.

How to Open an EML File on Chrome

Accessing the contents of an email on Chromebook devices is simple – change the extension to MHT or MHTML. Then, open the ex-EML file, and it will run in Google Chrome. However, this won’t give you access to the attachments within the email itself.

To get access to the attachments, you’re going to need to download an email client app. For instance, Outlook Express, Outlook, Thunderbird, Windows Live Mail, etc. Download these just as you would any other app:

1. Navigate to the Launcher and open the Play Store app.
   
2. Enter the name of any of the mentioned (or other) email clients.
   
3. Press the app’s entry and select Install.
   
4. Wait for it to download and install.
   
5. Navigate to the EML file.
   
6. Right-click it and select More Actions from the list.
   
7. Select the email client that you’ve downloaded.
   
   

How to Open an EML File on iOS

Whether you’re trying to open an EML file via an iPhone or an iPad, the principle remains the same. Most functions work the same across iOS devices.

Unfortunately, there is no default app on your iOS phone or tablet that will allow you to open EML files. The most effective and functional tool for opening and viewing EML content and attachments is the EML Viewer. This is a paid app but only costs $2. And yes, this is a single payment. In return, this app will allow you to open EML files and access the attachments of various file types. Here’s how to download it.

1. Open the App Store.
   
2. Type in “eml viewer” in the search bar.
   
3. Tap the EML Viewer result.
   
4. Select the price icon.
   
5. Confirm by tapping Purchase.
   
6. Start the app.
   
7. Load up the EML file.
   

Bear in mind that this tool is specifically made for EML files, so you can rest assured that it’s going to be fully compatible with such email content. For EMLX files, use Apple’s Mail app.

How to Open an EML File on Android

Using the Outlook app for Android is the best way to access EML files. However, if you’re having issues with it or can’t access the attachments, there’s a tool called EML Reader FREE that will help you out. This app allows you to access attachments within EML files too. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open the Play Store app.
   
2. Type in “eml reader free” in the app’s search bar.
   
3. Tap the EML Reader FREE entry.
   
4. Select Install.
   
5. Wait for the app to download and install.
6. Find the EML file on your Android device.
   
7. The file should automatically be assigned to the EML Reader Free app.
   

However, if the app is set to a different default, here’s how to open it using the app in question.

1. Tap and hold the EML file entry.
2. Select More, followed by Open in another app.
3. Find the EML Reader FREE entry and select it.

Additional FAQ

How do I open an EML file as a PDF?

The easiest way to convert an EML file to PDF format is by using a converter, such as Aconvert. On the Aconvert page, click Choose File. Then, select the EML file from the popup window. Make sure that PDF is selected under Target format.

Start the conversion by clicking Convert Now. Once the process is complete, you can access the file via your default browser by clicking the entry result under the Output file in the table below. You can also click the Download icon under Action and get a QR code, which allows you quick access to the PDF file in question via smartphone and tablet devices.

How do I open an EML file in Gmail?

Unfortunately, there is no direct way to open an EML file in your Gmail, whether you’ve exported the email from Gmail or another client. This is because wanting to upload an email entry is a very unlikely scenario. If you really want to have the content from an EML file in Gmail, copy it using one of the above-mentioned methods, upload the same attachments, and send it to yourself using Gmail.

How do I open an EML file in Word?

The easiest thing to do here is to open the EML file, copy the content, and paste it into a Word document. Alternatively, the afore-mentioned Aconvert tool allows you to select both DOC and DOCX as output files. Select either of these two and repeat the process mentioned in the first question.

Is EML file a virus?

EML files aren’t virus files no more than PDF files are virus files. However, just like a PDF or any other extension, an EML file can contain malware, so approach downloading emails carefully. It’s also worth mentioning that emails instructing you to download the said email aren’t to be trusted.

Working with EML Files

Whatever device you’re accessing the EML file from, there is a way to see its content. With that said, not all methods allow you to access the email’s content and the included attachments. However, most of the apps mentioned here will allow you to see the email in its entirety, including the majority of attachment types.

Have you managed to open an EML file on your device? Did you run into any issues doing so? If you have any questions or anything else to add, don’t refrain from contacting us and the community in the comments below.