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Raspberry Pi – Installing the Thunderbird Email Client Software

Raspberry Pi – News and Resources

People who use Gmail or the Microsoft Outlook email service online typically use a web browser to check their email. However, if you have multiple email accounts, and/or utilize an email service that does not have a full featured email interface, you may want to use an email client like Thunderbird. It allows you to check multiple email accounts from a single program, and it also has advanced features.

Install Using a Command in a Terminal Window

To install Thunderbird using a command in terminal mode, follow these steps, pressing enter/return after each command you type in.

  1. Open a Terminal window.
  2. Use this command to make sure your Raspberry Pi installation is updated: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
  3. Use this command to install Thunderbird: sudo apt install thunderbird
  4. Thunderbird should be installed and you will be returned to the Raspberry Pi Desktop.
  5. From the Raspberry Pi system menu (top left of screen) choose Internet and then click Thunderbird. You will be guided through the email account setup.

Install Using a Menu Interface

Follow these steps to install Thunderbird on the Raspberry Pi OS.

  1. From the Raspberry Pi system menu (top left of screen) choose Preferences > Add / Remove Programs.
  2. In the search box (top left) type in Thunderbird and press the enter/return key to search.
  3. From the resulting list, look for “mail/news client with RSS, chat and integrated spam filter support” which may be about half-way down the list of results. Put a check in the box for that program and click the OK button.
  4. Thunderbird should be installed and you will be returned to the Raspberry Pi Desktop.
  5. From the Raspberry Pi system menu (top left of screen) choose Internet and then click Thunderbird. You will be guided through the email account setup.

It may take a while for your account emails to synchronize.

By Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson is a freelance writer and tech consultant in Iowa City. He is also the founder and Director of the ResourcesForLife.com website. Learn more at AboutGregJohnson.com