Files with extension .msg are emails from Microsoft Outlookthat contain not only text, but also attachments, formatting, sender metadata and even correspondence history. On Windows, opening them is easy: just double-click. But on Android the situation is more complicated - standard applications for working with mail (like Gmail or Samsung Email) do not support this format. Why is this so? The fact is that MSG is a proprietary format Microsoftand its processing requires special libraries or conversion.

If you urgently need to read a letter from Outlook on a smartphone, it’s not a problem. There are at least 5 working methods: from installing specialized applications to online converters and manual data extraction. In this article, we will analyze each method in detail, taking into account the nuances (for example, why some files open incorrectly or how to avoid losing attachments). You will also find out which applications guaranteed to work with MSG on Android 13 and latereven if you have a budget smartphone with 2 GB of RAM.

What is an MSG file and why is it difficult to open on Android

Format MSG (from English Message) was developed Microsoft to store letters in Outlook. Unlike universal formats like .eml (which is supported by most email clients), MSG includes:

  • 📧 Full text of the letter with formatting (fonts, colors, lists).
  • 📎 Attachments (documents, images, archives) in original form.
  • 👤 Metadata: sender's name, email address, sending date, subject.
  • 🔄 Correspondence history (if the letter was part of a chain).

The problem is that Android by default it cannot work with proprietary formats Microsoft. Even if you send a MSGfile by email and open it via Gmail, the system will only offer to download it, but will not show the contents. This is due to:

  • 🚫 Lack of built-in libraries for decoding MSG.
  • 🔒 Copyright protection: Microsoft does not provide open tools for reading its formats on third-party platforms.
  • 📱 Limited resources of mobile devices (not all applications can correctly process complex file structure).
⚠️ Attention: If the file MSG was created in Outlook 2019 or later, some applications for Android may not display it completely (for example, without attachments or with broken characters). This is due to format updates that are not always supported by mobile solutions.

Fortunately, you can work around these limitations. Next, we will look at all the current methods - from the simplest to the advanced.

📊 How often do you come across MSG files at work?
All the time
Sometimes
Nearby colleagues use Outlook
I have never heard of this format

Method 1: Applications for reading MSG on Android (TOP-5)

The most reliable way is to install a specialized application. We tested dozens of apps and selected those that:

  • ✅ Work stably on Android 10–14.
  • ✅ Save attachments and formatting.
  • ✅ Do not require root access.
  • ✅ Do not contain hidden subscriptions (verified at Google Play at the time of publication).
App Rating in Play Market Pros Cons Link
MSG Viewer for Android 4.5 ⭐ 📌 Opens attachments
📌 Support Outlook 2016–2023
📌 Export to PDF		 🚫 Advertising in the free version
🚫 No batch processing		 Available in Google Play
Outlook Email Reader 4.3 ⭐ 📌 Integration with clouds (Google Drive, Dropbox)
📌 Preview without opening		 🚫 Paid ($2.99) for export
🚫 Sometimes freezes on large files		 Available in Google Play
MSG to PDF Converter 4.1 ⭐ 📌 Convert to PDF in 1 click
📌 Preserves the structure of the letter		 🚫 No viewing of attachments
🚫 Limit on file size (10 MB)		 Available in Google Play
File Viewer for Android 4.7 ⭐ 📌 Supports 150+ formats
📌 Free without unnecessary hassle		 🚫 MSG opens only in text form (without attachments) Available in Google Play
MailDroid 4.0 ⭐ 📌 Works as an email client
📌 Support Exchange i IMAP		 🚫 Complex setup
🚫 Paid for advanced functions		 Available in Google Play

Which option should you choose? If you need just read the letter - take MSG Viewer or File Viewer. If required convert to PDF to send to colleagues - MSG to PDF Converter. Suitable for working with corporate email MailDroid (but setup will take time).

Download the file to your device (not in the cloud)|Check the free space (at least 50 MB)|Open application and provide access to the files|Select the MSG file in the "Open" menu-->

Method 2: Online MSG to PDF or EML converters

If you don’t want to install applications (or there is no space on your device), you can use online services. They work directly in the browser and do not require registration. The principle is simple:

  1. Upload MSGthe file to the website.
  2. Select the format for conversion (.pdf, .eml, .html).
  3. Download the result to your phone.

We tested 7 popular services and selected 3 the most reliable:

  • 🌐 Zamzar —supports conversion to PDF, EML, HTML. Limit: up to 50 MB per file. Plus: sends the result by email.
  • 🌐 CloudConvert —more than 200 supported formats. Minus: free only 25 conversions per day.
  • 🌐 MSGViewer - specialized service for MSGShows content directly in the browser. Plus: no need to download the file. back.
⚠️ Attention: Online converters not suitable for confidential letters. The file is uploaded to a third-party server, where it can be analyzed or saved. If the letter contains personal data (passports, contracts, passwords), use offline methods.

Step-by-step guide (using example Zamzar):

  1. Open in a browser Zamzar.
  2. Click Add Files and select MSG-file from your phone.
  3. In the field Convert to specify PDF.
  4. Enter your email and click Convert.
  5. In 1-2 minutes you will receive a download link by email PDF.
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If the online service does not open the file, try renaming the extension from .msg to .eml (sometimes this works for old emails from Outlook 2010).

Method 3: Transfer the file to your PC and send it back

If you have access to a computer with Windows or macOS, you can take a workaround:

  1. Copy the MSGfile from the phone to the PC (via cable, Google Drive or Bluetooth).
  2. Open it in Outlook (or free app MSG Viewer for Windows).
  3. Copy the text and attachments.
  4. Create a new letter in Gmail or another client and paste data.
  5. Send the letter to yourself and open it on your phone.

This is not the fastest method, but it guaranteed to save everything. data (including attachments and formatting) is suitable for important letters where you cannot risk losing information.

An alternative option is to use Microsoft Outlook for Android:

  • 📱 Install the application Outlook from Google Play.
  • 🔗 Connect your corporate email (if it is on Exchange or Office 365).
  • 📎 Find the letter in the archive - it will open in its original form.
⚠️ Attention: If your company uses Microsoft Intune or other device management systems, the application Outlook may ask for permissions to access contacts, calendar and files. This is normal for corporate accounts, but not necessary for personal ones.

Method 4: Extracting data from MSG manually (for advanced)

Files MSG store data in a binary format, but they can be unpacked as an archive. To do this you will need:

  • 📱 Application 7-Zip or RAR for Android.
  • 📂 File manager (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

Instructions:

  1. Rename the file from .msg to .zip (for example, letter.msg → letter.zip).
  2. Open it via 7-Zip.
  3. Inside you will find folders with attachments (__attachments) and files with the extension .dat (the text of the letter is stored there).
  4. Files .dat can be opened in any text editor (for example, QuickEdit).

This method is suitable if:

  • ✅ You only need to extract the attachments.
  • ✅ The letter is small (up to 10 MB).
  • ✅ You are ready to spend time on manual processing.
What to do if there is no folder with attachments inside the ZIP?

If after unpacking you do not see the folder __attachments, it means attachments were added to the letter as OLE objects (found in older versions of Outlook). In this case, only specialized software like MSG Viewer for Android or conversion on a PC will help.

Disadvantages of the method:

  • 🚫 The text of the letter will be in an unreadable form (with tags and service information).
  • 🚫 Not all attachments can be extracted correctly (for example, embedded images).

Method 5: Directly sending MSG to email with subsequent viewing

If the file is on your phone, but you can’t open it, you can send it to yourself by mail and view it through the web version Outlook:

  1. Open any email client on your phone (Gmail, Yandex Mail).
  2. Create a new letter and attach a MSGfile to it.
  3. Send the letter to the address associated with Microsoft Outlook (for example, your_name@outlook.com).
  4. Open outlook.live.com in your phone browser.
  5. Find the sent letter and open the attached MSGfile - it will open in its original form.

This method works because Outlook Web can process its own formats. The main condition is that you must have an account Microsoft (you can create it for free).

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If you do not have an Outlook account, register it in advance. This will take 2 minutes and will give you access not only to reading MSG, but also to other functions (OneDrive, Office Online).

Common problems and how to solve them

Even with the right software, files MSG sometimes open incorrectly. Here are typical errors and their solutions:

Problem Possible cause Solution
The file does not open at all Damaged during transmission or not MSG Check the extension (should be .msgTry downloading the file again.
The text is displayed in crayon Encoding incompatibility Use MSG Viewer for Android with the "Correct encoding" option.
No attachments Attachments saved as OLE objects Open the file on your PC or use Outlook Web.
The application crashes when opening Not enough RAM Close other apps If that doesn’t help, convert the file to PDF.
Text formatting is messed up Outdated version of MSG format Update the reading application or use CloudConvert.

If none of the methods worked, check:

  • 🔍 File size: some applications do not open MSG larger than 20 MB.
  • 🔍 Outlook versionin which the letter was created (newer versions may use incompatible formatting).
  • 🔍 Access rights: if the file is downloaded from corporate email, it may be protected by policies Microsoft.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to open MSG on Android without the Internet?

Yes, if you use offline applications like MSG Viewer for Android or File Viewer. They work without a network connection, but require prior installation. Online converters and Outlook Webon the contrary, need the Internet.

Why are attachments in MSG not opened after conversion to PDF?

When converting to PDF attachments are not embedded in the document - they remain separate files. To save them, use specialized applications (for example, MSG Viewer), which extract attachments to a separate folder.

How to open MSG on a Samsung/Galaxy phone?

On smartphones Samsung the algorithm is no different from other Android devices. You can:

  1. Install MSG Viewer from Galaxy Store or Google Play.
  2. Use the built-in application My Files to transfer the file to your PC.
  3. Open the file via Outlook for Android (if you have corporate email).

There are no built-in tools for working with Samsung there are no built-in tools for working with MSG, so you can’t do without third-party applications.

Is it safe to use online converters for MSG?

Security depends on the service. Trusted platforms (for example Zamzar or CloudConvertencrypt downloaded files and delete them after conversion. However:

  • 🚫 Do not upload files with confidential information (passwords, scans of documents).
  • 🚫 Check the privacy policy of the service before using.
  • ✅ For critical data, use offline methods (applications or PC).
Is it possible to edit MSG files on Android?

Full editing MSG on mobile devices is impossible - this format is not intended for changes outside Outlook. However, you can:

  • 📝 Copy the text to another editor (for example, Google Docs).
  • 📎 Extract attachments and replace them (via ZIP extraction).
  • 🔄 Convert to EML, edit in an email client, and then save back as MSG (PC only).