In order for this feature to work, you have to enable and configure notifications both in Thunderbird and in your operating system.
Table of Contents
1. Turn on native notifications in Thunderbird
- Thunderbird app menu Ensure Use the system notification is ticked "✓" > > > search for When new messages arrive.
- Click
- Ensure the fields and actions you would like to display in your new email notifications are ticked "✓" (Archive is only available in 141 and newer releases).
2. Configure your operating system's native notifications
Please follow your operating system's documentation to enable and configure notifications native to your operating system.
Windows
Turn on Thunderbird email notifications
(Refer to Microsoft's Knowledge Base Article for more details: Notifications and Do Not Disturb in Windows.)
- Enable notifications globally: In the Settings app on your Windows device, open System > and then toggle the switch next to to .
- Under , scroll down to and then toggle the switch to .
- Click on the chevron to configure more options.
Example: Windows 11 notification
Here's how notifications look in Windows 11:
macOS
Turn on Thunderbird email notifications
(Refer to Apple's Knowledge Base Article for more details: Notifications settings on Mac.)
- Choose Apple menu > and then click in the sidebar.
- Scroll down to and then click on the chevron
- Next to and then toggle the switch to the right to turn on Thunderbird notifications.
- Optional: configure the rest of the notification options to suit your requirements.
Example: macOS 15 Sequoia notification
Here's how notifications look in macOS 15 Sequoia after clicking on
Linux
Turn on Thunderbird email notifications under Gnome Shell
- In the Settings application, select in the sidebar menu.
- Click on in the section.
- Toggle on the switch next to .
Example: Gnome Shell notification
Here's how notifications look in Gnome Shell: