Import

How to Add iCloud Email to Thunderbird? 2026 Beginner’s Guide

By Admin

Updated: March 11, 2026 ~ 5 Minutes Reading

Table of Contents

Want to access your iCloud emails in Thunderbird? This guide explains the complete step-by-step process to add iCloud email to Thunderbird for Mac or Windows and manage your emails.

Even though Thunderbird is a third-party email client for iCloud, many users prefer to set up iCloud email on Thunderbird because it offers more options and accessibility using add-ons and extensions, and the interface is much more familiar to the user transitioning from Windows.

Using Thunderbird is also a suitable way to access iCloud email locally on a Windows device.

You can configure an iCloud Account in Thunderbird using the IMAP setup. The steps listed here are for the latest Thunderbird version. You may upgrade Thunderbird.

Learn: How to Migrate Thunderbird to Apple Mail?

Prerequisites to Set Up iCloud in Thunderbird

  • iCloud Mail is enabled in the preferences of the Apple Account
  • App-specific password created for Thunderbird
  • Stable internet connection

You may not need an Apple device to access Apple emails; however, you need an Apple iOS or macOS to open a new iCloud account.

Disclaimer: You cannot log in to an iCloud account in Thunderbird via OAuth, unlike other accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook.com.

Important: Apple ID and iCloud Mail Account are two different entities. An Apple ID can be any email address handling Apple Mail services like iCloud, App Store, and Apple Music. While the iCloud account handles only emails and generally looks like – yourname@icloud.com.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Add iCloud email to Thunderbird?

These steps are the same whether you’re adding your first iCloud email account or additional iCloud accounts to Thunderbird.

Step1: Make Sure you Enable iCloud Mail in Apple ID Settings

If you have already created an iCloud email ID and have enabled mail, you can skip this step.

  1. On your macOS, click on the Apple Logo on the top left.
  2. Go to the System Settings.
  3. Select Sign In with your Apple ID.
  4. Choose iCloud from the list.
  5. Look for the iCloud Mail option and turn it on.
  6. Create a new iCloud ID if not set up previously.

Note: If you mark the device as trusted, the password of the iCloud email account is the same as the Main Apple ID.

Step 2: Generate App-Specific Password

You cannot directly configure an iCloud email Account in Thunderbird without an App-specific password.

Follow the steps to get the app-specific password:

  1. In the browser (Chrome or Safari) go to appleid.apple.com.
  2. Sign in with your main Apple ID.
  3. Go to Sign In and Security from the left panel.
  4. Scroll to App-Specific Password.
  5. Click on the Generate an App-Specific Password button.
  6. Enter the name Thunderbird.
  7. Enter your password if prompted to.
  8. You will get an App-Specific password for Thunderbird.
  9. Copy and save it separately.

Step 3: Add an iCloud Account to Mozilla Thunderbird

  1. Launch Thunderbird application.
  2. Click on the Navigation Menu, then select New Account.
  3. Choose Email.
  4. Enter your name and iCloud email address.
  5. Choose IMAP and press Continue.
  6. Press continue to Auto Configure.
  7. Enter the App-Specific Password copied earlier.
  8. Wait for the IMAP sync to get completed, and you can access your iCloud account in Thunderbird.

iCloud Server Settings for Thunderbird Setup

Although Thunderbird can automatically detect the correct server details for iCloud email accounts, like IMAP, SMTP server, port number, and security method. In such cases, you need to manually add an iCloud in Thunderbird.

Here are the iCloud settings for Thunderbird:

Setting Incoming (IMAP) Outgoing (SMTP)
Server imap.mail.me.com smtp.mail.me.com
Port 993 587
Encryption SSL/TLS STARTTLS
Username iCloud email iCloud email
Password App-specific password App-specific password

Manually Configure or Set Up an iCloud Account in Thunderbird

  1. In Thunderbird, click on Menu >> New Account >> Email.
  2. Enter your name and iCloud email address.
  3. Click on the Manual Configuration button instead of Continue.
  4. Enter the correct IMAP and SMTP details mentioned above.
  5. Click on Test to verify iCloud setup in Thunderbird.
  6. Click Continue.
  7. Enter the 16-character App-Specific Password.
  8. Press Ok to confirm.

Common Issues When Trying to Add iCloud email to Thunderbird

  • Using an Apple ID instead of an iCloud email account.
  • Incorrect password – Use an app-specific password to resolve.
  • Cannot connect iCloud to Thunderbird due to incorrect server settings.

Professional Solution to Import iCloud Emails into Thunderbird

Thunderbird Import Tool lets you import iCloud emails into the Local folder of Thunderbird. If you want to keep a backup copy of your iCloud emails in Thunderbird, or if the direct approach fails. Simply download the tool to add iCloud email in Thunderbird with attachments, folder hierarchy, and complete integrity maintained. A free trial of the tool is also available.

FAQs: Add iCloud email to Thunderbird

Q1: Can I configure iCloud Account in Thunderbird?
Yes, you can set up an iCloud email account using IMAP in Thunderbird.

Q2: Is iCloud POP3 or IMAP?
iCloud in an IMAP-based email account.

Q3: Can Thunderbird sync with iCloud?
Yes, Thunderbird can sync with iCloud for mail, calendars, and contacts but you need to set up each separately with App-Specific Passwords.