How to Run Thunderbird on Android

Install BirdBox from Google Play. It runs desktop Thunderbird on Android, with the account setup wizard, tabbed email, search tools and contacts you know from the PC.

How to do it

Install the app from Google Play. Search Google Play for BirdBox by UserLAnd Technologies. It is a one-time purchase.
Open it and let it set up. The first launch downloads and sets up the Linux files the app needs. Stay on Wi-Fi; this only happens once.
Add your email account. Thunderbird's account wizard opens. Enter your name, email address and password, and it finds the server settings for most providers.
Use touch as a mouse. Tap with one finger to click, two-finger tap to right-click, pinch to zoom, slide two fingers to scroll, and hold and slide to pan. Tap the screen and choose the keyboard icon to type.

What you get

Send and receive email
The mail account setup wizard
Tabbed email
Search tools and attachment reminders
Contacts management

What you need

An Android phone or tablet with Google Play
Free storage for the Linux files (a tablet or a phone with a large screen is most comfortable)
Internet for the first-time setup
Optional: a Bluetooth or USB keyboard and mouse

Prefer free?

UserLAnd is free, and you can install Thunderbird in it yourself: in UserLAnd, set up Debian, choose Graphical, open a terminal and run sudo apt install thunderbird. BirdBox does all of that for you in one tap, and buying it supports UserLAnd development.

BirdBox is not Thunderbird itself and is not a Mozilla project. It is a compatibility layer that runs desktop Thunderbird.

Get BirdBox on Google Play ($1.99) · Full guide and FAQ on userland.tech

Comments

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UserLAnd is the easiest way to run Linux on Android. It is distributed through the Play Store. It does not require you to root your device. It is simple to use and powerful.

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