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Product facts

# Local Export for Gmail: features, privacy and limits

Selected Gmail conversations, readable PDFs and original attachment files. Here is exactly what the extension does.

By Sami Studio · Updated 20 October 2026 · Desktop Chrome

Local Export for Gmail is a desktop Chrome extension by Sami Studio. It saves selected Gmail conversations as separate PDFs, keeps their original attachments in the same ZIP, and processes the export on your device.

## What does the export include?

### Conversation PDFs

One PDF per selected conversation, with messages in date order and readable From, To, Cc and Date information. A matching Gmail search result selects the conversation, including its replies.

### Original attachments

Files stay separate from the conversation PDF, in the conversation’s attachments folder. Inline image attachments are also kept as original files. They are not merged into the PDF as extra pages.

### Inline and external images

Supported inline images can render inside the conversation PDF. Supported external images can load through Google’s Gmail image proxy when available. External image loading can be turned off.

### Export report

`export-report.json` records the original attachment names, saved paths, byte sizes and SHA-256 checksums, plus image notices and failed conversations. A checksum can check file consistency; it does not certify the authenticity of an email.

[Download the actual app’s business sample ZIP](https://export.samistudio.nl/assets/demo/business-sample-export.zip) to inspect 3 conversation PDFs, 7 example emails and 5 original attachments. The sample emails are synthetic and contain no customer mail. [Open the sample quote PDF](https://export.samistudio.nl/assets/demo/kitchen-quote-conversation.pdf) for a quick look.

## Where are emails processed?

The extension reads selected conversations through the Gmail session already open in your browser. Email processing happens on your device. Your email bodies and attachments are not uploaded to Sami Studio, and you do not create a separate extension account. There is no separate Gmail API OAuth sign-in step, but Chrome still asks you to grant the extension its listed browser permissions when installing it.

This is not an offline mailbox viewer. A signed-in Gmail tab and internet access are required. Loading external images contacts Google’s Gmail image proxy; checkout and Pro licensing make separate server requests without Gmail messages or attachments. Read the [privacy policy](https://export.samistudio.nl/privacy.html) for the full data flow and permissions.

The export flow does not send, delete, label or mark messages as read. It reads the conversations you select. Your browser and Gmail still control access to the mailbox.

## What are the Free and Pro limits?

### Free

Up to 3 conversations per batch. No watermark and no daily quota.

### Pro

€29 once, with no subscription. Up to 50 conversations per batch on 2 active browsers. The purchase is not tied to one Gmail account.

### Both plans

Up to 200 emails and 100 MiB of source content plus fetched images per export. The final ZIP is limited to 200 MiB. A conversation can contain several emails, so split large selections into smaller batches.

PDF quality and original attachment handling are the same on Free and Pro. Purchase and refund details are in the [terms](https://export.samistudio.nl/terms.html).

## When should I use a different method?

Use Gmail’s Print option if you only need a PDF of one message or conversation and can save its attachments separately. Use Google Takeout for a mailbox archive, including the original email data needed for migration. Local Export for Gmail is for selected conversations as PDFs with files alongside them; it is not a whole-mailbox backup, MBOX or EML exporter, scheduled unattended export service, PDF attachment merger or authenticity certification.

Use desktop Google Chrome. The Gmail mobile app, mobile browsers, Outlook mail and other providers are outside this tool’s supported workflow. Complex email layouts can differ from Gmail. Missing pictures are reported, rather than silently presented as a complete visual copy.

- [Compare Gmail Print, Google Takeout and a selected PDF export](https://export.samistudio.nl/guides/gmail-print-takeout-or-pdf-export.html)

- [See how inline images and original files are handled](https://export.samistudio.nl/guides/save-gmail-inline-images-and-attachments.html)

- [Follow the batch export steps](https://export.samistudio.nl/guides/save-multiple-gmail-conversations-as-pdfs.html)

- [Get help with a specific export](https://export.samistudio.nl/support.html)

## Try it with a small selection.

Up to 3 conversations per export are free. Check a sample before saving your own mail.

[Add to Chrome ↗](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/jfboilkcfbknmlkgcleihnopfhfnehib)