In case you have accidentally deleted emails in Mozilla Thunderbird, you can still restore them from the Trash or Deleted folders. However, in some cases, you may want to recover deleted Thunderbird emails that are also emptied from the Deleted folder.
Chances are, you can retrieve deleted IMAP/POP emails in Thunderbird if you have not compacted the Thunderbird email folder yet.
This is because Thunderbird keeps a local copy of the email in the profile folder that does not get immediately erased. Before compacting, they are only marked deleted and still present in the profile folder.
Here, we have discussed how to recover permanently deleted emails from the Inbox, Trash, Sent, Draft, or any custom folders in Thunderbird using a manual approach and professionally using Thunderbird backup recovery software.
Important Guidelines to Recover Deleted Thunderbird Emails
Regardless of your Thunderbird version, OS (Windows, Mac, Linux), or whether you have wiped from the Trash folder or not. Ensure the following key pointers to avoid permanent data loss:
- Turn-off internet/Wi-Fi to avoid IMAP sync.
- Do not compact the folder from which you have deleted emails.
- Do not reinstall Thunderbird as a troubleshooting step.
- Do not force close the Thunderbird application.
- Turn-off Thunderbird auto-compact.
Read More: Where does Thunderbird Store Emails?
Recover Emails from Deleted/Trash folders in Mozilla Thunderbird
Note: Will not work if you have cleared the Trash folder recently.
- Open the Deleted Folder.
- Select the recently deleted emails. (Use Ctrl/Shift for multiple selection at once)
- Right-click and choose Move To.
- Choose a folder where you want to restore deleted emails.
Recover Deleted Thunderbird Emails Emptied from Trash
If you have purposefully deleted them from the trash, or you cannot find them in the Deleted Items folder, you need to check for them in the Thunderbird Profile folder on Mac, Windows, or Linux.
Note: Unlike most modern email platforms, Thunderbird does not have a Recoverable Items folder. Hence, the search and recovery have to be done manually.
- Click on the Menu Icon on the top-right of Thunderbird.
- Choose Help >> Troubleshooting Information.
- Go to the Profile Folder option and press Open Folder.
- Open IMAP Mail (if you have deleted emails from an IMAP account) or Mail (for a POP account).
- Choose and open the email account folder from which you have deleted an email.
- Then, locate the mailbox (Inbox, Trash, Sent, Draft) from which you recover emails deleted from Thunderbird.
- Right-click and open this MBOX with Notepad/TextEdit.
- Press Ctrl+F/ Cmd+F and search for the deleted emails.
- If you cannot find emails in the original folder, search for the deleted emails in the Trash folder in your profile.
Steps to Retrieve Deleted Thunderbird Emails from Identified Mailbox File
Follow the given instructions once you have located the correct mailbox file from the Thunderbird profile from which you want to recover emails.
- Copy the file and paste it into an easy-to-locate destination on your computer.
- Open the Navigation Menu and select Add-ons & Themes.
- Add the ImportExportNG Tools add-on.
- Right-click on the Local Folder and choose ImportExportNG Tools.
- Choose Import MBOX file and Import Individual MBOX file.
- Select the Identified Mailbox File and press Open.
- Wait for the sync to get complete to recover deleted Thunderbird emails in the Local Folder.
- You can further move them to any destination.
Recover Deleted Emails in Thunderbird: POP V/S IMAP Account
POP Email Accounts only store emails locally on your computer in the Thunderbird profile folder (if accessed via Thunderbird). If deleted from the profile, there is no chance of recovery. You can only restore a backup in such scenarios.
An IMAP Email Account keeps a copy of email data on the server. Most servers keep a copy even after permanent deletion for 7-30 days (generally). You can also contact the ISP for account recovery to gain back access to your emails.
Professional Way to Restore Deleted Thunderbird Emails
Manual methods, however reliable, cannot recover permanently deleted emails from Thunderbird Profile, or the mailbox is corrupted.
Important Note: This method will only work if you backed up your Thunderbird emails/profile.
Thunderbird Converter Tool is a desktop-based tool to recover deleted emails by restoring the Thunderbird profile backup, even if you have emptied the Trash folder. A smart, user-friendly tool offering selective restore with advanced file search in any Thunderbird version.
Even if you have compacted emails or have damaged MBOX files, you can gain access back using the pro tool. Free download the tool.
Video Guide to Recover Deleted Thunderbird Emails from Backup
Watch step by step process and understand how to use this software to-retrieve deleted emails from Thunderbird.
FAQs: Recover Deleted Thunderbird Emails
Q1: Where do deleted emails go in Thunderbird?
After deletion, Thunderbird moves emails to the Trash (Deleted) folder, where they remain until the folder is emptied or compacted.
Q2: Does Thunderbird have a Recoverable Items folder?
No, there is no Recoverable Items folder in the whole recovery process, which is manual.
Q3: Can the Repair folder option help me retrieve accidentally deleted emails in Thunderbird?
No, the Repair folder only deletes and rebuilds the Thunderbird index .msf file. It does not recover permanently deleted Thunderbird emails if the Trash has been emptied and the folder has been compacted. Although it can help if Thunderbird is not showing all emails in the Inbox.
Q4: Can I restore deleted emails in Thunderbird without a backup?
Yes, you can try checking the Trash folders first. If not found, locate the relevant mailbox file in the Thunderbird profile and import it using ImportExportTools NG. This may not work if the folder was compacted or emails were permanently deleted.
Still need help recovering deleted Thunderbird emails?
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