The Thunderbird email client finally landed on Android, and it was worth the wait

Thunderbird and Android logos.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET

I have been ready for a Thunderbird Android app for a while. 

Lastly, there is a worthy successor to the Gmail app.

Additionally: 3 ways to stop Android apps running in the background – and why I always do

Do not get me incorrect; the Gmail app has been serviceable, nevertheless it’s by no means actually been an app that I felt strongly sufficient about. I have been often trying to find a alternative. I’ve tried loads of them, however at all times wound up coming again to Gmail.

The Thunderbird e-mail app beta appears promising sufficient that I may need discovered the one.

The Thunderbird for Gmail app.

The Thunderbird for Android UI ought to look acquainted to anybody who’s used the Gmail app.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

The drive for Thunderbird on Android began two years in the past, when the builders first revealed their plans. The challenge took longer than anticipated, nevertheless it’s lastly arrived, and I am right here for it.

After I put in Thunderbird for Android and arrange my first account, I instantly knew that the wait was value it. Thunderbird for Android is all the things you want in a cell e-mail shopper. The truth is, from its look, Thunderbird for Android appears and looks like Gmail, with choices that ought to fulfill customers of all kinds. Combing by the final settings, I see issues like:

  • The power to set totally different themes for various elements of the app (most important window, composer window, and skim window)
  • Allow/disable animations
  • A unified inbox
  • Starred accounts
  • Preview strains configuration
  • Contact photos
  • A threaded view
  • A floating compose button
  • Cut up-screen
The Thunderbird for Android sidebar.

You possibly can view particular person accounts or a unified inbox.

Proton

There are additionally interplay configurations, comparable to quantity key navigation and swipe actions, in addition to settings for notifications, networks, privateness, and debugging. To my nice aid, there’s additionally a “Choose All” characteristic, so I can shortly empty my inbox if obligatory.

Thunderbird for Android additionally has e-mail filters (date, arrival, topic, sender, star, learn/unread, attachments), search, a sidebar, learn receipts, end-to-end encryption, and extra. Notice that for end-to-end encryption, you must have PGP help put in (use OpenKeychain: Easy PGP from the Google Play Retailer).

The account settings page in Thunderbird for Android.

You possibly can simply allow end-to-end encryption, so long as you have got an app like OpenKeychain put in.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Thunderbird for Android helps the preferred mail server protocols and lets you simply add your Gmail account (with out having to sort a password, arrange an app password, or trouble with 2FA — if Gmail is configured in your Android machine, you possibly can simply import it into Thunderbird). There’s additionally help for migrating from the Ok-9 Mail app utilizing the in-app settings import operate.

I have been utilizing Thunderbird as my default e-mail app for a few week now, and I don’t miss the Gmail app. Thunderbird for Android has all the things I would like and need in a cell e-mail app. 

On high of that, it is open-source. You possibly can obtain the supply code from the official GitHub page and even seize the .apk file so you possibly can manually set up the app when you like.

Who is that this app for?

You do not have to make use of (or be a fan of) the Thunderbird desktop shopper to understand Thunderbird for Android. In case you like the best way the Gmail app is laid out and have been on the lookout for a strong different, Thunderbird is it. It would not matter when you’re new to Thunderbird or an influence consumer; this app can be a welcome different to anybody on the lookout for a dependable e-mail app that’s open, well-designed, and performs like a champ.

Additionally: 5 hidden Android features that can simplify your life

Set up the Thunderbird for Android app in your machine now, and you may in a short time determine that it is the cell e-mail shopper you’ve got been ready for.

Sensi Tech Hub
Logo