How to Open EML Files on Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, & Android

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Simple ways to open and view .eml files on any operating system
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EML files were developed by Microsoft for older versions of Outlook and Outlook Express. An EML file is an archived email that preserves the original HTML formatting and headers. Many mail clients support EML files, but if you don't have one, or are using a mobile device, there are workarounds you can use to open the file.

Opening EML Files

The easiest way to open an EML file is to use an email client like Outlook, Windows Mail, or Thunderbird. Double-click the file to open it in your default email app. If that doesn't work, right-click the file, select Open with, and choose Outlook or Mail.

Section 1 of 5:

On Windows

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Open the file in a mail client.
    EML files are emails in file form. The easiest way to open them is to use an email client such as Outlook, Windows Mail, or Thunderbird. You can usually open it by double-clicking the EML file. If that doesn't work, right-click the file, select Open with, and select your mail client.
    • When you open the EML file in an email client, you can download any attachments included in the file and view the proper formatting and pictures.
    • If you don't have an email client or can't open the files in your email client, read on.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Use an EML File Viewer.
    If you're having trouble opening your EML file using an email client, you can display it in your web browser using an online EML viewer. Go to https://freefileviewers.com/eml/ and drag the EML file to the box (or click Select Files and choose the file from your computer). If you don't feel comfortable uploading the file, you can download FreeViewer from https://www.freeviewer.org/eml/.
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  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 View the file in WordPad.
    You can also open the EML file in WordPad, a free word processor that comes with Windows. Just right-click the EML file, select Open with…, and choose WordPad to display its contents.
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Section 2 of 5:

On a Mac

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Open the EML file in Apple Mail.
    Apple Mail comes with macOS and can open and properly display EML files. You can do this even if you haven't set up a mail account with Mail.
    • Ctrl + click the EML file and select "Open With..."
    • Click Mail in the list of programs to display the contents of your EML file.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Use Outlook for Mac.
    If you have Microsoft 365 (Office), you can install the Microsoft mail client to open EML files. Just Ctrl + click the EML file, select Open With..., and select Outlook from the app list.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Extract the file with StuffIt Expander.
    This is a free extraction utility for macOS, and you can use it to extract information from the EML file.
    • Download and install StuffIt expander from the Mac App Store.
    • Drag the EML file into the StuffIt window. You can extract multiple EML files at once by dragging them all into the window at the same time.
    • Open the new folders created for each EML file. You'll be able to find the attachments and images as separate files, as well as a text document containing the body of the email message.
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 View the EML file in plain text.
    If you don't have a mail client and can't install StuffIt Expander, you can open the EML file in TextEdit to read the body of the message and find any links. You won't be able to view any images or access attachments.[1]
    • Ctrl + click the EML file and select Open With...
    • Select TextEdit from the list of apps. You may have to browse for it.
    • If this doesn't work, change the file extension from .eml to .txt, then try again.
    • Look for the HTML <body> tags. This will help you find the body of the message. Any links will have the <a href= tag.
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Section 3 of 5:

On iPhone & iPad

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Use an online EML File Viewer.
    There aren't any free EML viewers in the App Store anymore, but you can still open an EML file on your iPad using a free EML viewer. Go to https://freefileviewers.com/eml/, tap Select Files, and select the EML file from your iPhone or iPad.
    • If you received the EML file as an email attachment, you'll have to download it to your iPad first.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Try a paid EML viewer.
    If you don't feel comfortable uploading your EML file to the web, you can install the EML Viewer app from the App Store.[2] This app isn't free, but it does make it painless to open EML files in iOS.
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Section 4 of 5:

On Android

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Install the Letter Opener app.
    Android does not natively support the EML format.[3]
    • Letter Opener is one of the more highly rated EML reader apps available, though there are others to choose from if you wish. Simply search "eml reader" in the Google Play Store.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Open the EML file.
    There are several ways you may open an EML file, depending on how you got it.
    • If you received an EML file as an attachment, download it to your phone or tablet first.
    • Use your Android's file manager to locate and select the EML file, then choose Letter Opener.
    • Alternatively, open Letter Opener first, then use the app to browse for and select your EML file.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Read through the EML file.
    Letter Opener will display the EML file like an email message with From, To, Date, Subject, and Message Text.
    • At the bottom of the display, you'll see a list of attachments. Tap an attachment to open it, then an app that can read that file type.
    • Tap the save icon on the right to extract the file from the EML to your Download folder.
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Section 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting

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  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 EML files are not opening in your mail app when you double-click them.
    This is usually caused by another program hijacking the EML extension. Close your mail app if open, then follow these steps:
    • Windows
      • Right-click the EML file and select Open with.
      • Click Choose another app.
      • Select the app you want to use for EML files.
      • Select Always use this app and click OK.
    • Mac
      • Right-click or Control + click the EML file and select Get Info.
      • Click the arrow next to "open with".
      • Select the app you want to use to open EML files.
      • Click Change All.[4]
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Check the extension.
    Some users have reported that backups created with Windows Live Mail have corrupted EML extensions (*._eml instead of *.eml). If the EML file isn't opening, check that the extension is not messed up.[5]
    • Rename any EML file that has the *._eml extension to remove the extra space.
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      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Nicole Levine, MFA
      Written by:
      How.com.vn Technology Writer
      This article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for How.com.vn. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 1,487,803 times.
      How helpful is this?
      Co-authors: 16
      Updated: April 15, 2024
      Views: 1,487,803
      Categories: Email Attachments
      Article SummaryX

      To open an EML file, try to use an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird, which should open the file when you double click on it. If you don’t have an email client or can’t open the file that way, change the file extension to *.mht and open it using Internet Explorer if you have a Windows computer. Alternatively, download the Freeviewer EML File Viewer from www.freeviewer.org and use it to open your files. As a last resort, right click on the file, go to “Open with,” and select Notepad, which will display the message as a text file. However, note that you won’t be able to see attachments or images if you open the file this way. If you’re on a Mac, view the message as a text file by opening it with Text Edit. For tips on how to open an EML file on an iPad, read on!

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