bakimap

Python code to backup your IMAP accounts (really working and really FREE and opensource)

D:\GILLES\CIMAP>py bakimap.py
Server : imap.me.com, Account : me@me.com, Mode : NEW
Found folders:
        Spam
        Objets envoyés
        Courrier indésirable
        Corbeille
        Brouillons
        Sent
        INBOX
Folder : INBOX
        106 messages found
        106 messages saved
Folder : Sent
        55 messages found
        55 messages saved
D:\GILLES\CIMAP>

the story

I just wanted to learn Python and to use it on deep learning with TensorFlow. The step was too large. As i have another need, i decided to switch. I didn't find any free opensource IMAP backup solution anywhere so i decided to build one. Everyone is aware that IMAP acounts need to be backed up ;-)

the needs

• i have several IMAP accounts by different hosting companies to backup
• i want to do it with Python
• i want to recreate the same folder tree in my local disk as the folders tree in my IMAP account
• as i want to run my script quite often, i need an INCREMENTAL backup
• i want to save every message as a EML text file to be able to open it with my text editor of choice or any EML viewer

the result

• i built a Python script !
• the script can backup only one IMAP account with the choice of its folders
• for each IMAP account, i duplicate the script under another name ...
• the script creates a subfolder using the name of the account
• the script creates a subfolder for each IMAP folder in the account subfolder
• each message is a EML file
• the script uses SSL protocol
• you have the choice of INCREMENTAL backup (recommended) or complete REBUILD of account backup to mirror the IMAP server

my tests

• i used Python 3.9 on Windows 10
• i tested several accounts on PlanetHoster and Free.fr
• i backuped hundreds of messages
• i verified the messages using Notepad++ and two free EML viewers i just found :
• dalecoop EML viewer is great to open EML file by double clic
• mitec mail viewer is great to open a folder containing EML files

dependency

pip install IMAPClient

now it's up to you

• after downloading bakimap.py, you have to set some parameters (as usual) before using it

# params
HOST     = "imap.me.com"
USERNAME = "me@me.com"
PASSWORD = "$$##$$"
FOLDERS  = ["INBOX", "Sent"]        # folder list to backup
BACKUP   = "NEW"   # "NEW" to backup only new messages (INCREMENTAL, recommended) or "RESET" to backup all messages to match exactly what is in IMAP server