Intermediate
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Updated May 17, 2026
How to Add ProtonMail to Mozilla Thunderbird Using Bridge
Use ProtonMail Bridge to connect your encrypted ProtonMail account to Thunderbird. Requires a paid ProtonMail subscription.
Contents
ProtonMail's end-to-end encryption means it can't connect to Thunderbird directly. You need ProtonMail Bridge — a local app that decrypts your emails so Thunderbird can read them safely.
Paid plan required: ProtonMail Bridge is only available for paid ProtonMail accounts (Mail Plus, Proton Unlimited, or Business plans).
Step 1: Set Up ProtonMail Bridge
- Download ProtonMail Bridge from
proton.me/mail/bridge. - Install and open Bridge, then sign in with your ProtonMail credentials.
- In the Bridge app, go to your account and note the IMAP/SMTP address (127.0.0.1) and the Bridge password shown there.
Step 2: Add ProtonMail in Thunderbird
- Open Thunderbird → File → New → Existing Mail Account.
- Enter your name and ProtonMail address, then click Configure manually.
- Enter the local server settings from the table below.
- For the password, use the Bridge password (not your ProtonMail login password).
- Click Re-test, then Done.
ProtonMail Bridge Server Settings for Thunderbird
| Setting | Incoming (IMAP) | Outgoing (SMTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Server | 127.0.0.1 | 127.0.0.1 |
| Port | 1143 | 1025 |
| Security | None | None |
| Authentication | Normal password (the Bridge password) | |
Keep Bridge running: ProtonMail Bridge must be open in the background whenever you use Thunderbird to send or receive ProtonMail messages.
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Updated May 17, 2026