The short answer: use Outlook, Apple Mail with a converter, or an online viewer

.msg files are email messages saved by Microsoft Outlook on Windows. Macs don't open them natively because Apple Mail uses a different format. You have three practical routes: open the file in Microsoft Outlook for Mac (if you have it), convert the .msg to a format your Mac can read, or use a web-based viewer that doesn't require installation.

The easiest path depends on what you already have on your computer and whether you need to open one file or many. If you use Outlook for Mac for work or school, you're done — just double-click the .msg file. If you don't have Outlook, a free converter or online tool takes five to ten minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft Outlook for Mac opens .msg files directly; if you have it installed, double-clicking the file is all you need.
  • Free online viewers like CloudConvert or Zamzar let you upload a .msg file and view it in your browser without installing anything.
  • Converter tools like Filestar or CloudConvert can change .msg files to PDF or EML format, which Apple Mail and other Mac programs can then open.
  • If you receive .msg files regularly from colleagues, ask them to send the email as a PDF attachment or forward it to your Mac email address instead.

Using Outlook for Mac if you already have it

If you use Microsoft Outlook for Mac, opening a .msg file is straightforward. Locate the file in Finder, right-click it, and select "Open With" — Outlook should appear in the list. Click Outlook and the file opens as a message in your inbox view.

If Outlook doesn't appear in the "Open With" menu, you can drag the .msg file directly into an open Outlook window. Outlook will import it and display the full message, attachments, and headers. This works even if the file came from a Windows computer or an older version of Outlook.

Converting .msg to PDF or EML format

If you don't have Outlook, converting the file to PDF or EML (a standard email format) gives you a file your Mac can open. PDF is best if you just need to read the email and don't need to forward it. EML is better if you want to import it into Apple Mail or another email program.

CloudConvert (cloudconvert.com) and Zamzar (zamzar.com) are free online converters that work in your browser. Go to the site, click "Select File" or drag your .msg file into the upload area, choose your output format (PDF or EML), and click "Convert." The converted file downloads to your Downloads folder in seconds. No account is required for one or two conversions.

If you have many .msg files to convert, Filestar (filestar.com) is a desktop application for Mac that converts in bulk. Download and install it, drag your .msg files into the window, choose your output format, and click "Convert." The converted files appear in the same folder as the originals.

Viewing .msg files online without converting

If you just need to read the email once and don't need to save it, an online viewer is the fastest option. Encora (encora.cloud) and eml viewer online (emlviewer.com) let you upload a .msg file and see its contents in your browser. No download, no installation, no account needed.

Upload your .msg file, and the viewer displays the sender, subject, date, body text, and any attachments. You can read the message, download attachments if needed, and close the tab. The file is not stored on the site after you leave — it's processed and deleted.

What to do if the file is corrupted or won't open

Sometimes a .msg file won't open in any tool. This usually means the file was damaged during download or transfer, or it was created by a very old version of Outlook. Try downloading the file again from the source, or ask the person who sent it to resend it.

If the file still won't open, ask the sender to export the email as a PDF from Outlook on their Windows computer instead. This takes them 30 seconds — they open the email, go to File > Print, choose "Save as PDF," and send you the PDF. This avoids the .msg format entirely and works on any Mac.

Preventing .msg files in the future

If you receive .msg files regularly from colleagues or clients, a quick conversation can save you time. Ask them to forward the email to your Mac email address instead of saving and sending the .msg file. This gives you the message in a format your Mac email program reads natively.

If they need to send you a saved email for record-keeping, ask them to export it as a PDF from Outlook on their computer. This creates a file that opens on any device and looks exactly as the email did on their screen. Most people are happy to do this once you explain it takes them 30 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a .msg file in Apple Mail?

Not directly — Apple Mail doesn't read .msg files. You need to convert the .msg to EML format first using an online converter like CloudConvert, then drag the EML file into Apple Mail. Apple Mail will import it as a new message in your mailbox.

Is it safe to upload my .msg file to an online converter?

Online converters like CloudConvert and Zamzar delete files after conversion, but if the email contains sensitive information (passwords, financial details, health data), converting on your own computer is safer. Filestar is a desktop app that converts locally without uploading to the internet.

What if the .msg file has attachments?

Attachments stay with the file through conversion and online viewing. If you convert to PDF, attachments appear as links in the PDF. If you convert to EML and import into Apple Mail, attachments show up in the message just as they would in Outlook.

Why does Windows use .msg files if Macs can't open them?

.msg is Microsoft's proprietary format for Outlook on Windows. Apple Mail uses a different system, so the two programs don't share file formats. This is why converting or using Outlook for Mac is necessary — they're designed to work with different email storage methods.

Can I batch convert multiple .msg files at once?

Yes, if you use Filestar or another desktop converter. Drag all your .msg files into the window at once, choose your output format, and click "Convert." Online converters like CloudConvert also allow batch uploads, though you may need a free account to convert more than a few files.