Configuring Gmail in Thunderbird ensures seamless email management on your desktop without relying on the Gmail web interface. Thunderbird, being a versatile and secure email client, allows you to access multiple Gmail accounts, send, receive, and organize emails efficiently. This guide explains the step-by-step procedure, IMAP/SMTP settings, and troubleshooting tips for Gmail configuration.
Before starting, ensure that IMAP is enabled in your Gmail account. Log into Gmail through your browser, navigate to Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → Enable IMAP, and save changes. If you use two-step verification, generate an app password specifically for Thunderbird.
Open Thunderbird and click on Menu → New → Existing Mail Account. Enter your name, Gmail address, and password. Thunderbird will attempt to configure Gmail automatically. Choose IMAP for better email synchronization across devices.
If automatic configuration fails, select Manual Config. Enter the following server settings:
Ensure OAuth2 is selected for secure login. Thunderbird will prompt for Gmail authentication, where you may need to sign in and approve access.
Once configured, Thunderbird will download your emails. Test sending and receiving to confirm the setup. Ensure that folders are correctly synced and all Gmail labels are mapped properly in Thunderbird.
If emails do not sync, check your internet connection, verify server settings, and ensure that your firewall or antivirus is not blocking Thunderbird. If login errors occur, clear saved passwords and re-authenticate using OAuth2. For users with two-step verification, always use the app password generated from Gmail.