How to Backup Email from Roundcube?
Roundcube is a webmail interface that displays emails stored on an IMAP server hosted by your web hosting provider. Backups must be taken from the IMAP server level, not from the Roundcube interface itself.
All Possible Ways to Backup Roundcube Webmail Emails
Let us first tell you the manual method to address this backup situation.
With the Roundcube built-in function you can save the emails on your desktop. However, there are some conditions like:
If you want to backup individual e-mail, they will only be saved in EML format as usual. But,
If you want to backup the entire folder, you have to save in MBOX format. If you still want to go this route, we offer you the process.
Manual Process to save Roundcube Emails
- First you need to sign up for Roundcube Mail
- Now go to the Export Mail that is displayed in the left column
- Now select the folder from the main menu
- Here you can select the desired mailbox or all mailboxes
- Now select the action button
- Then choose the download option as zip format from the list in the Select drop-down menu to save your Roundcube emails in the MBOX file format
Your Roundcube emails are now backed up, but we’ve already discussed the limitation if you don’t want to go that route as the MBOX format requires a supported application to open. You can opt for the alternative solution which not only offers MBOX but also different file formats.
Automatic Way to Backup Email from Roundcube
4n6 EmailBakup is the application that can be the most suitable solution for you. If you choose this route, you can get different file formats as a backup option. It’s not like the manual method that forces you to choose a default extension, but it gives you the choice to choose from.
It is necessary that you look at the storage option as this will tell you the importance of an alternative application over a manual solution.
Using the App, You can save Email from Roundcube in;
- PDF, Text, CSV and also HTML file format
- PST, EML and also MBOX
- All the IMAP compatible cloud based account
Trust us, these storage options are just a tip of the iceberg. This Roundcube backup tool has much more to do to make the task easier to do.
Now that you finally know the application’s saving option. It is highly recommended that you take a look at the process guide, as it will teach you how to backup email from Roundcube to the preferred file format.
Process to Backup Emails from Roundcube
- First, you need to download the Roundcube backup tool on your Windows compatible device
- Now install the app by clicking the “Finish” button once you have agreed to the agreement and launch the application
- Now you need to click on the Open tab and then click on Add Account
- Enter the Roundcube webmail address and password, and provide the Roundcube IMAP server name
- After clicking the Add button, you will see that the Roundcube mailboxes have now started loading the backup tool. If necessary, you can open the emails to get an overview of them
- Now you need to click on the Export tab and then select the Document or Email File of your choice
- Now click the Browse button in the PDF export option to choose a location for the Roundcube emails and at last click the Save button
Well done, you performed the process properly. Now your Roundcube emails will be backed up in the replacement you selected. If you need quick access to the location, you can click the tab that appears when the process is complete.
In Conclusion
If you want to use the Roundcube manual feature to create a backup, you will only get the MBOX format. However, if you want to backup email from Roundcube in an easy-to-open format and also in a cloud-based account with just a single solution, you can go for the Roundcube backup tool.
- IMAP connection fails with wrong server settings: Roundcube does not display IMAP server details. Check your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk) for the correct incoming mail server, port, and SSL settings.
- Only inbox appears in the backup tool: The IMAP subscription list in Roundcube may differ from what your backup tool sees. In Thunderbird, right-click the account and select Subscribe to add all available folders.
- Backup downloads headers only, no message body: The email client is set to sync headers only. Switch to full message download in the account settings to get complete email content.
- Connection drops mid-backup on large mailboxes: Shared hosting servers may disconnect long-running IMAP sessions. Use a tool that supports resume, or backup in smaller date-range batches.
Q: Where can I find the IMAP server settings for my Roundcube account?
A: Log in to your hosting control panel (cPanel or similar), go to Email Accounts, and look for the mail server configuration section. The IMAP server is usually mail.yourdomain.com on port 993 with SSL.
Q: Can I import Roundcube emails into Outlook after backup?
A: Yes. Connect Roundcube’s IMAP account directly in Outlook, let it sync, then use Outlook’s export tool to save a PST file.
Q: Does backing up Roundcube email include sent items and drafts?
A: Yes, as long as those folders are subscribed in your IMAP client. Sent and Drafts are standard IMAP folders.
Q: Can I migrate Roundcube email to Gmail or Office 365?
A: Yes. Use an IMAP-to-IMAP migration tool with your Roundcube IMAP credentials as the source and your Gmail or Office 365 account as the destination.
Q: Is there a limit on how much email I can backup from Roundcube?
A: The limit is determined by your hosting provider’s mailbox quota. There is no limit imposed by the backup process itself.