# Revisiting ways to import from Apple Mail

**URL:** <https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026>\
**Category:** DEVONthink\
**Tags:** devonthink3\
**Created:** [March 18, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026 "2024-03-18T00:48:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![korm](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/e0b2c6/32.png) [@korm](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/korm)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 7:59pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/21 "2024-03-21T19:59:23Z")

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I use @BLUEFROG’s update to @cgrunenberg’s AppleScript to import selected mail messages to DEVONthink. The script is embedded in a super-simple Apple Shortcut. I’ve configured the Shortcut to “Pin in Menu Bar”, so just selecting messages and clicking the Shortcut brings up the Group Selector for choosing the destination for the `.eml` files. It’s free, painless, quick, has the same result as the old pre-Sonoma mail plugin, and the script has the Good DEVONechnologies Seal of Approval 🙂

 ![CleanShot 2024-03-21 at 15.53.07@2x](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/3X/8/4/84093fdde97dbdc3567bdd3eb6c60856f19fe880.png)

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**Author:** ![BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bluefrog/32/135_2.png) [@BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/BLUEFROG)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/22 "2024-03-21T20:19:35Z")

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There is no _best solution_ and have you actually tried what I offered above?

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**Author:** ![Mgf](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@Mgf](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/Mgf)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 2:21pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/23 "2024-03-22T14:21:31Z")

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I think I am. I used the global script to add messages and attachments. I am trying to archive emails from Mail. So far it is running non stop for 3 days… I think there were 50,000 messages

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**Author:** ![Mgf](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@Mgf](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/Mgf)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/24 "2024-03-22T14:23:49Z")

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I think I am using the correct script

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**Author:** ![BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bluefrog/32/135_2.png) [@BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/BLUEFROG)\
**Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 2:33pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/25 "2024-03-22T14:33:54Z")

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Hold the **Option key** and choose **Help \> Report bug** to start a support ticket.

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**Author:** ![IvanPsy](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/ivanpsy/32/22597_2.png) [@IvanPsy](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/IvanPsy)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 8:05am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/26 "2024-03-24T08:05:23Z")

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Where do I find such script?  
I can trigger the script via shortcut by using BetterThouch.

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**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2024, 8:09am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/27 "2024-03-24T08:09:45Z")

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The _Scripts_ menu extra can be enabled in the settings of the _Script Editor.app_, assuming that the scripts were installed via _DEVONthink 3 \> Install Add-ons…_

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**Author:** ![spongey](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/spongey/32/7458_2.png) [@spongey](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/spongey)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 12:20am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/28 "2024-03-25T00:20:42Z")

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Thank you very much. That is extremely quick and helpful. Much appreciated.

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**Author:** ![DCBerk](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@DCBerk](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/DCBerk)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/29 "2024-03-25T01:18:11Z")

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I’ve posted this elsewhere, but it seems useful here, so at the risk of redundancy:

I use a really easy method to send an email into DT, but it may not be suitable for everyone:

Select the email, Command P (Print), look down at the bottom left, drop down the menu that says “PDF” (which would send it right to the printer), and click on “Save PDF to DEVONthink 3”. A DT3 menu opens up showing Inboxes for every open database, plus all folders in all open databases. File it where you want it. Done.

Obviously this only works if you want the email as a pdf; it isn’t suitable for those who want to reopen the email in Mail.

For that, it’s a relatively easy two-stop process. Drag the Mail onto your desktop, then drag it into the Sorter.

Note: Bluefrog and cgrunenberg. It would be nice if we could drag the mail directly into the Sorter, but it doesn’t work. Don’t know if that’s an Apple problem, or yours.

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**Author:** ![BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bluefrog/32/135_2.png) [@BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/BLUEFROG)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2024, 5:36am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/30 "2024-03-25T05:36:06Z")

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You’re welcome. I’m glad it’s useful to you 🙂

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**Author:** ![bancoora](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bancoora/32/27241_2.png) [@bancoora](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/bancoora)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/31 "2024-04-23T23:13:25Z")

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Works fantastic Bluefrog, it’s better getting back to ‘Normal’ ⌨

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**Author:** ![sawxray](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/sawxray/32/6505_2.png) [@sawxray](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/sawxray)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/32 "2025-01-27T19:03:54Z")

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> [@BLUEFROG](#):
>
> The macro runs the same DEVONthink-provided script as is foudn in the global Scripts menu.

Thank you, Bluefrog. I am an avid user of Keyboard Maestro, and would love to set this up.

Unfortunately, the statement, “The macro runs the same DEVONthink-provided script as is foudn in the global Scripts menu.” doesn’t help me. I have the script menu in DT3, but there is no Mail option. Would you be so kind as to direct me to find/reinstall these scripts?

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**Author:** ![troejgaard](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/58956e/32.png) [@troejgaard](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/troejgaard)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/33 "2025-01-27T20:17:59Z")

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The _global_ Script menu and DEVONthink’s Script menu is not the same. The global Script menu appears in the right side of your menubar with other menubar extras. You enable it in the preferences of Script Editor. See: [Mac Automation Scripting Guide: Using the Systemwide Script Menu](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/LanguagesUtilities/Conceptual/MacAutomationScriptingGuide/UsetheSystem-WideScriptMenu.html)

The scripts used in the global menu are located at `~/Library/Scripts`. You can open the folder from the global Script menu or navigate there in Finder. The mail scripts are found in `~/Library/Scripts/Applications/Mail`.

See also _Automation \> Applescript_ in the manual:

 ![SCR 2025-01-27 kl. 21.15.45](https://devontech-discourse.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/original/3X/c/0/c00a8d48446e9b9770e8a45f105f43978e54184f.png)

PS: look at BLUEFROG’s last screenshot. Do you see the field: `Script file:` ? 😉

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ipanini](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/ipanini/32/87_2.png) [@ipanini](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/ipanini)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 1:57pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/34 "2025-10-05T13:57:21Z")

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A bit late to the show, I always did these tasks on an older system still running Monterey.  
Today I installed your kmmacro on a system running Sequoia.

Works a treat! Thanks!! 😀 👍 👌

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**Author:** ![BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bluefrog/32/135_2.png) [@BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/BLUEFROG)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/35 "2025-10-05T14:18:22Z")

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You’re welcome. I’m glad it is useful to you! ❤ 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mgf](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@Mgf](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/Mgf)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/36 "2026-06-02T00:22:52Z")

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where can i find it… i have always problems with this function

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**Author:** ![chrillek](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/chrillek/32/29340_2.png) [@chrillek](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/chrillek)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2026, 5:46am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/37 "2026-06-02T05:46:00Z")

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„It“ referring to what, exactly?

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**Author:** ![ssawczyn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@ssawczyn](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/ssawczyn)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/38 "2026-06-03T01:57:19Z")

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In DT4, I’m using the script that comes with it via the global script menu, I only wish this would bring up a prompt so that I could choose where to direct the Email rather than having it go to the global inbox and having to move it from there later. Is there a way to somehow do this? I did read through this thread before writing this reply, but much of this scripting stuff is admittedly beyond me, so apologies if the solution is a simple one.

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**Author:** ![cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/cgrunenberg/32/7172_2.png) [@cgrunenberg](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/cgrunenberg)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 5:57am UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/39 "2026-06-03T05:57:06Z")

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> [@ssawczyn](#):
>
> I only wish this would bring up a prompt so that I could choose where to direct the Email rather than having it go to the global inbox and having to move it from there later. Is there a way to somehow do this?

There are two options:

1. Select _Settings \> Files \> Import \> Destination \> Select group_
2. One or smart rules automatically file the emails

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DTLow](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/dtlow/32/18161_2.png) [@DTLow](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/DTLow)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/revisiting-ways-to-import-from-apple-mail/79026/40 "2026-06-03T15:09:33Z")

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> [@ssawczyn](#):
>
> In DT4, I’m using the script that comes with it via the global script menu, I only wish this would bring up a prompt so that I could choose where to direct the Email rather than having it go to the global inbox and having to move it from there later.

The script I’m using has the command  
_set theGroup to preferred import destination_  
This can be modified to bring up a prompt

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