Thunderbird is a powerful and flexible email client developed by Mozilla, designed to handle multiple email accounts, manage contacts, and integrate calendars in a single, user-friendly interface. It supports a wide range of features such as message filtering, encryption, and add-ons that extend its functionality, making it a popular choice for both personal and professional use. Thunderbird is well-regarded for its security features and customization options, allowing users to tailor their email experience to their needs.
On Fedora 40 or 39, Thunderbird can be installed using the DNF package manager via Fedora’s AppStream, providing a stable version that integrates seamlessly with the system. Alternatively, you can install Thunderbird using Flatpak with Flathub, which offers a more isolated environment and might include newer features. This guide will walk you through both installation methods, ensuring that you can easily set up Thunderbird on your Fedora system.
Method 1: Install Thunderbird via DNF
Update Fedora Before Thunderbird Installation
The first step is ensuring your system is up-to-date to avoid issues during the installation and for good practice. This is done by opening your terminal and using the following command.
sudo dnf upgrade --refreshInstall Thunderbird via DNF Command
sudo dnf install thunderbirdAlternatively, the following method may be preferred for users using Flatpak applications.
Method 2: Install Thunderbird via Flatpak via Flathub
The second option is to use the Flatpak package manager, which is most often natively installed on your Fedora workstation. The benefit of Flatpaks is that they can often be ahead of a version or two from Fedora, depending on the release cycle/updates of the software and the Flatpak package maintainer. However, in most cases in Fedora, you would want to install the DNF version above, depending on your preferences.
Enable Flathub for Thunderbird Installation
First, you need to enable Flathub using the following command in your terminal:
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepoInstall Thunderbird via Flatpak Command
Now install the Thunderbird software using the following flatpak command.
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.ThunderbirdTroubleshoot Thunderbird Flatpak Installation
First, the most common error when installing a Flatpak from Flathub is the following error output.
"error: Unable to load summary from remote flathub: Can't fetch summary from disabled remote 'flathub,"The fix is simple: run the following command to enable Flathub.
flatpak remote-modify --enable flathubThis will fix the above issue.
Launch Thunderbird UI
Now that you have the application installed, launching can be done in a few ways.
CLI Commands to Launch Thunderbird
You can launch the application immediately using the following command in a terminal.
thunderbirdAlternatively, Flatpak users must launch using the command below from a terminal instance.
flatpak run org.mozilla.ThunderbirdGUI Method to Launch Thunderbird
However, this is impractical, and you would use the following path on your desktop.
Activities > Show Applications > Thunderbird
First-time Login on Thunderbird
The first time you open Thunderbird, you will notice that you are automatically taken to sign in to your e-mail account. Optionally, you can click the configure manually for specific settings if the automatic option does not work.
Once open, you will arrive at the default client screen. You can configure Thunderbird by adding your e-mail accounts, syncing calendars, etc.
Additional Commands & Tips for Thunderbird
Update Thunderbird
Depending on the method of installation used, the following commands can be used to update.
Thunderbird DNF Update Method:
sudo dnf update --refreshThunderbird Flatpak Update Method:
flatpak updateRemove (Uninstall) Thunderbird
Use one of the following commands to suit the original installation method for users who no longer require the application.
Thunderbird DNF Remove Method:
sudo dnf remove thunderbirdThunderbird Flatpak Remove Method:
flatpak uninstall --delete-data org.mozilla.ThunderbirdConclusion
By installing Thunderbird on Fedora, whether through the AppStream with the DNF package manager or via Flatpak, you’ve added a robust email client to your system, capable of handling all your communication needs. The AppStream method ensures a smooth integration with your Fedora environment, while Flatpak offers a sandboxed installation that can be beneficial for security-conscious users. Regular updates through your chosen installation method will keep Thunderbird secure and up-to-date, allowing you to manage your emails efficiently and with peace of mind on Fedora.