How to set up email in Thunderbird for Mac

This guide takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up a new email account in Thunderbird for Mac.

Replace example.com with your domain name

Automatic Account configuration

A new email account set up with Thunderbird is quick and easy using Automatic Account configuration. 

However, reasons to rather use Manual Configuration are:

• if you prefer POP, as this automatic configuration defaults to IMAP 
• if this is a new hosting account and domain propagation has not completed

View account settings

1. Launch Mozilla Thunderbird
2. If this Accounts screen opens, choose to Create a new account > Email – proceed to step 4

   
   Or alternatively, on the toolbar at the top, select Tools and then Account Settings

   Add mail account

3. Click the Account Actions drop-down and then select Add Mail Account from the list
4. Ignore this option and choose to Skip this and use my existing email?

   

   Enter your details

5. Enter the following details:
   • Name (which will appear the “From” field in your emails)
   • Email address
   • Password (stipulated when you created your email account in your Control Panel – (forgotten passwords can be reset in your Control Panel)
6. Then click Continue

   

   Edit settings

7. Thunderbird will now automatically check your email settings.
8. This screen confirms your chosen settings > Done

   

If your settings are not found, click the Manual config button and continue:

Manual configuration

Follow the Automatic configuration above, and then choose Manual config.

Ensure that your settings are correct as below (these are the default settings – replacing with your own name and domain).

• If you don’t know your password, reset it in your Control Panel.
• Server hostname:
  • Incoming can be POP or IMAP
  • is mail. followed by the domain name e.g. mail.example.com*
  • Port is 993 (or 995 for POP)
  • SSL is set to SSL/TLS
  • Authentication is Normal password
  • Outgoing SMTP is mail. followed by the domain name e.g. mail.example.com*
  • Port is 465
  • SSL is set to SSL/TLS
  • Authentication is Normal password
• User Name is the full email address for both Incoming and Outgoing

Choose Re-test > Done.