Update or Change Thunderbird Email Password: Windows, Mac & Linux

In case you change the password of your email address, you must first update it in your email provider (eg, Gmail, Yahoo, IMAP server account, Outlook.com), and further change the saved email password in Thunderbird.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to Manage Email Address Password in Thunderbird for Windows, Mac, or Linux OS.

Without updating the password, Thunderbird will not be able to access your account, and Thunderbird gets stuck on checking the password, or Thunderbird keeps asking for the password.

Does Thunderbird Have Its Own Password?

No, Thunderbird does not have an application password.

Thunderbird is an email client that lets you access your email, but it cannot manage account passwords. It can only store email account passwords to connect, authenticate, and sync data from the email server. You can only change the stored email password in Mozilla Thunderbird.

When Must You Change Email Password in Thunderbird?

Whenever a user updates the password associated with a configured Thunderbird email account due to reasons like security issues, forgotten password, or compliance policies. Then it must be updated in the Thunderbird application as well.

How to Reset or Update Thunderbird Email Password?

Although you cannot directly change email passwords in Thunderbird. You can easily update the stored password in 2 ways.

Method 1: Change Email Account Password in Thunderbird using Prompt

Whenever a password is changed on the email provider’s end. Thunderbird prompts you to re-enter the password to access your account and send and receive emails.

1. Close and Restart Thunderbird.
2. When the prompt reappears.
3. Log in via Password or OAuth based on your email service.
4. Enable Use Password Manager to Remember this Password.

This will automatically update the password stored in settings.

Method 2: Manual Way to Change Thunderbird Email Password

Follow the steps to update the email account’s stored password in Thunderbird using the built-in Password Manager.

1. In your Thunderbird email client, go to the Navigation Menu.
2. Open Settings.
3. Go to the Privacy and Security tab.
4. Click on Saved Passwords.
   
   
5. Ensure you first click on the Show Passwords button.
6. Right-click on the email password you need to change in Thunderbird.
7. Choose edit.
   
   
8. Enter the new password.
9. Click on Close and restart Thunderbird.

Know More About Thunderbird Stores Email Address Password

Mozilla Thunderbird lets you set up and change the IMAP, SMTP, and OAuth passwords separately. This is why you may see multiple entries when trying to change the email account password in Thunderbird.

Technically, incoming and outgoing emails are handled by separate server endpoints.

Eg: imap.gmail.com – for receiving emails and smtp.gmail.com – for sending emails. Thus, Thunderbird saves its password separately.

If you are changing passwords in Thunderbird manually, you will have to update all the associated email passwords for a seamless workflow.

Make Thunderbird More Secure with Primary Password

To protect your email password details so that no one can change your Thunderbird email password without permission. Thunderbird enables you to set a primary password.

Steps to Set Up Primary Password in Thunderbird

1. Go to the Menu and then Settings in Thunderbird.
2. Open the Privacy and Security tab.
3. Scroll to the Passwords section.
4. Check the box for Use Primary Password.
   
   
5. Enter and then re-enter the password to confirm and press OK.
6. You will get a notification “Primary Password Changed Successfully” in Thunderbird.