Email Management

Complete Steps to Configure Gmail in Thunderbird?

Abhishek Pandey
Abhishek Pandey December 29, 2025
4 min read
Summary: Do you want to manage your Gmail account within Mozilla Thunderbird? Configuring Gmail in Thunderbird allows users to enjoy the benefits offered by both platforms. In this blog, we will walk you through the process to configure Gmail in Thunderbird. Furthermore, we will highlight an automated mailbox migration tool to migrate Gmail data into another platform smoothly.

Configuring Gmail in Thunderbird allows users to enjoy the perks of Gmail’s powerful services alongside Thunderbird’s advanced features such as offline accessibility, unified inbox, and customization options. Thunderbird supports IMAP and POP3 configuration of various email services, along with Gmail.

In this blog, we will provide you with the detailed procedure to configure Gmail in the Thunderbird email client. First, let’s discuss all the possible reasons that encourage users to setup Thunderbird for Gmail.

Why do we need to configure Gmail in Thunderbird?

Here is a list of some of the prominent reasons to configure Gmail in Thunderbird:

  • Easily access your Gmail emails without an internet connection.
  • Mozilla offers advanced features for a smooth experience.
  • Thunderbird offers multiple enhanced privacy and security options.
  • Customize your emails with Thunderbird’s themes and settings.
  • Get control over all your emails and manage them accordingly.

Change Thunderbird SMTP, IMAP, POP3 server settings

Before configuring Gmail in Thunderbird, first you need to change the server settings of your Thunderbird account.

Thunderbird SMTP settings for Gmail

Hostname: smtp.gmail.com

Port: 465 (with SSL), 587 (without SSL)

Username and Password: Credentials of your account.

Thunderbird IMAP settings for Gmail

Hostname: imap.gmail.com

Port: 993 (with SSL), 143 (without SSL)

Username and Password: Credentials of your account.

Thunderbird POP3 settings for Gmail

Hostname: pop.gmail.com

Port: 995 (with SSL), 110 (without SSL)

Username and Password: Credentials of your account.

How to configure Gmail in Thunderbird?

Thunderbird offers two techniques to configure Gmail in Thunderbird. Here are the detailed steps to do so. Follow them carefully for error-free configuration:

Technique 1. Manual Configuration

In this section, we will manually configure Gmail account in Thunderbird.

Step 1. Open Thunderbird and click on the three bars on top, then select the Account Settings option.Open Thunderbird and click on the three bars on top

Step 2. Click on the Account Actions button, then click Add Mail Account.Click on the Account Actions button

Step 3. Enter all the required details correctly, then click Configure Manually.Enter all the required details correctly

Step 4. Provide all the details and click Re-test, then Done.click Re-test, then Done.

Technique 2. Automated Configuration

In this section, we will see how to configure Gmail account in Thunderbird automatically.

Step 1. In Thunderbird, click three bars >Account Settings >Account Actions >Add Mail Account.

Step 2. Provide all the details, then click on Continue.Provide all the details then click on Continue

Step 3. Select IMAP, then click Done.Select IMAP then click Done

Step 4. A new window will pop up on your screen, click Allow.A new window will pop up on your screen

Step 5. Enter your email address and click Next.Provide the password

Step 6. Provide the password, then click Next.enter password

Step 7. Setup Thunderbird for Gmail completed.Setup Thunderbird for Gmail completed

That’s how you can easily setup Gmail account in Thunderbird.

Migrate Gmail Data in Another Account- Automated Solution

Migrating Gmail data manually to different accounts is difficult. You can use an automated solution like the EmailXport Mailbox Migration Wizard tool to transfer all the data with complete accuracy. The software easily migrates data from Gmail, IMAP, WebMail, Zoho Mail, MSG, EML, etc., to IMAP, Zoho Mail, Gmail, and Office 365. This Mailbox Migration tool offers various filter options for precise data transfer without data loss. You can migrate bulk data in a single operation cycle without any restrictions. Moreover, the software offers a free demo version, which allows users to test all the advanced functionalities with ability to migrate limited data into the destination account.

Conclusion

This article covers the manual solution to configure Gmail account in Thunderbird. However, if you want to migrate Gmail data into any other email server or account, you can utilize the recommended EmailXport Mailbox Migration Wizard. It is one of the top software to directly migrate your Gmail and other email accounts data into various destinations without data loss.

FAQs

Q. Can I configure Gmail in Thunderbird?

A. Yes, you can configure Gmail in Thunderbird using IMAP server settings.

Q. Why Thunderbird not syncing with Gmail?

A. There are chances that IMAP settings or any antivirus/firewall settings are interfering.

Q. Why am I unable to see Gmail emails in Thunderbird?

A. If you are unable to see Gmail emails in Thunderbird, you must check sync settings, IMAP server settings, or folder subscriptions.

EmailXport Mailbox Migration
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