Whether you are just curious or already using beta, this reference will help you have the best possible experience. Beta is a great choice if you want to help the global Thunderbird community by testing fixes and new features, and discovering and reporting bugs before they reach release. Thank you for your interest in using beta! [[UI:details_start]] === Read these important considerations about using beta === * Protect your Thunderbird data by doing regular [[Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data#w_backing-up-a-profile|backups of your Thunderbird profile]]. * New features may require time to complete and polish, so flaws are to be expected. But we do want to hear about them. Use the beta forum to learn about new features and user experience. * Low-impact flaws may not be fixed quickly, because bugs are prioritized based on many criteria. Patience is a good quality to have when using beta. * High-impact flaws such as data loss are very rare but may occur. Protect yourself with backups. * Expect frequent updates - typically seven per month. This frequency of updates allows us to make fast improvements. * Beta installation will replace your currently installed program, unless you use the instructions in How to install and run Beta. * Are you using POP accounts? Unlike IMAP accounts, the only copy of your pop mail is in your local Thunderbird profile. If you want to add a POP account to beta, your options are: * After set up, go to ≡ > Account Settings > Server Settings and make sure the "Leave messages on server" option is checked, and the "For at most [X] days" option is unchecked. Keep the default settings. Messages will be removed from the server 14 days after download, so you will need to either stay on beta, or learn how to move your POP data back to the release profile. * If you have mail filters that, for example, move mail to local folders, then you must decide where to run filters - in your beta profile or your other profile. * Some of your add-ons may not work. Or if they do work today, they may not work tomorrow. Add-on authors are not obligated to make their add-ons work in beta, but please submit your issues to help prepare them for new releases. Consult the [[Thunderbird add-ons - frequently asked questions#w_what-if-my-add-on-is-broken|Add-ons FAQ]] if you have difficulty. [[UI:details_end]] <!-- {warning}This document is still under construction. If you have ideas to improve or items to add, please comment in the [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-beta/discuss discussion].{/warning} --> __TOC__ = Resources, Assistance, References = How to help improve beta and get help: * Post questions about normal Thunderbird usage in [https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/thunderbird/form Thunderbird support]. * Join the [https://thunderbird.topicbox.com/groups/beta beta community] to ask questions. Browse to see current information about beta and see what other beta users are discussing. The forum operates in English, so if you need assistance in another language please ask for help in Thunderbird support. * Test both new and old features and [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Thunderbird report bugs] that you find. * Report performance issues that reproduce in troubleshoot mode by [[Profiling Thunderbird Performance|creating a performance profile]] and post the report URL in a bug report. * ≡ > Help > About > Release Notes in Thunderbird are very informative. Or [https://www.thunderbird.net/notes/beta Beta release notes] in your browser. * Ask beta specific assistance questions and comments in the beta forum, or * ≡ > Tools > Export can be used to backup your profile, or to get to your profile directory quickly. * Beta Start Page documents several of the above items and more handy information, accessed quickly in Thunderbird with {for win, linux} {key ALT} > {/for}{menu Go} > {menu Mail Start Page} ([Keyboard shortcuts - perform common Thunderbird tasks quickly#w_moving-around-thunderbird|keyboard shortcuts]), or [https://start.thunderbird.net/en-US/beta/ in your browser]. * [https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/participate/ Other ways to contribute.] <!-- * Follow along as bugs are reported during the 102 testing and initial release, by CCing yourself to [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1772703 Bug 1772703 aka “tb102found” – Bugs found during testing and release of TB102]. Change when 115 is beta to the equivalent 115 query--> = Add-ons = <!-- DO NOT REMOVE THIS HEADING ANCHOR, there are links to it from other locations --> Add-on authors are not obligated to have their add-ons work in beta. So expect some or all of your add-ons to not work. Or if they do work today, they may not work tomorrow. Consult the [[Thunderbird add-ons - frequently asked questions#w_what-if-my-add-on-is-broken|add-ons FAQ]] if you have difficulty. = Download locations = * [https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/?release=beta Windows, Mac and generic linux] * [https://snapcraft.io/thunderbird Ubuntu from Canonical] -- sudo snap install thunderbird --beta * [https://discourse.flathub.org/t/how-to-use-flathub-beta/2111 Flatpak] <!-- = How do I get from a beta version back to a release version? = * If you meet the following criteria, then you don't need to do anything special. Just start the “normal release” Thunderbird program that you still have installed, which will use the ''default'' (or ''default-release'') profile that you had not deleted. ** you use multiple, dedicated profiles (one for beta and one for release as recommended). ** you have only IMAP accounts. ** you don't have address book and other information to transfer from beta to release. * For other scenarios and options, there will be a future support article. For now, please ask for assistance in support. --> = How do I change from a beta version back to a release version? = How you change back to a release version depends on how you configured your profile data, and when you decide to make the change. If you only have one profile, then the best time to change is shortly before or within two to three weeks after a major version ships publicly, like when version 115 ships and the beta is still version 116. This timing will minimize the possibility that data structures have changed. You have two options: # Beta program installed in its own directory, beta data is in a [[Dedicated profile per Thunderbird installation|dedicated profile]], and you do not need any beta data (address books, local folders, pop folders, etc.) back in your production profile, and wish to remove the beta data and beta program from your system: <!-- copied from https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/download/beta/#uninstall --> #* Start the release version of Thunderbird to use the [[Using Multiple Profiles|profile manager]]. #* Delete the beta profile using the profile manager, default name is “default-beta”. #* Delete the beta version’s program directory in your OS. # Beta program installed in its own directory, beta data is in a [[Dedicated profile per Thunderbird installation|dedicated profile]], but you DO need beta data (address books, local folders, pop folders, etc.) copied back to your production profile. '''This gets messy and difficult, and is something you really want to avoid.''' #* While running beta, export your address book(s) to file(s) as vCard, which you can then import into version 91 (but version 91's lower capabilities might mean the results will be less than perfect). #* Open both of your profiles in your OS's file browser. One way of finding them is {button ≡} > {menu Help} > {menu Troubleshooting Information} > {menu about:profiles}. #* Shutdown both versions of Thunderbird. #* [[Profiles - Where Thunderbird stores your messages and other user data#w_restoring-a-profile-backup|Backup your production profile]]. #* Under the '''Mail''' directory you will find both '''Local Folders''' directory and pop account directories – you can copy the contents of these from the beta profile to your production profile, taking care to NOT overwrite any msgFilters.dat files (which contain your filter rules) in your production profile. #* Imap accounts – there should be no need to copy any files from beta profile to your production profile. = Beta isn't for me. How can I help? = [https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/participate/ Participate] lists many ways for you to help in the community, and places to learn more about Thunderbird.

Whether you are just curious or already using beta, this reference will help you have the best possible experience. Beta is a great choice if you want to help the global Thunderbird community by testing fixes and new features, and discovering and reporting bugs before they reach release. Thank you for your interest in using beta!

Read these important considerations about using beta

• Protect your Thunderbird data by doing regular backups of your Thunderbird profile.
• New features may require time to complete and polish, so flaws are to be expected. But we do want to hear about them. Use the beta forum to learn about new features and user experience.
• Low-impact flaws may not be fixed quickly, because bugs are prioritized based on many criteria. Patience is a good quality to have when using beta.
• High-impact flaws such as data loss are very rare but may occur. Protect yourself with backups.
• Expect frequent updates - typically seven per month. This frequency of updates allows us to make fast improvements.
• Beta installation will replace your currently installed program, unless you use the instructions in How to install and run Beta.

• Are you using POP accounts? Unlike IMAP accounts, the only copy of your pop mail is in your local Thunderbird profile. If you want to add a POP account to beta, your options are:
• After set up, go to ≡ > Account Settings > Server Settings and make sure the "Leave messages on server" option is checked, and the "For at most [X] days" option is unchecked.

Keep the default settings. Messages will be removed from the server 14 days after download, so you will need to either stay on beta, or learn how to move your POP data back to the release profile.

• If you have mail filters that, for example, move mail to local folders, then you must decide where to run filters - in your beta profile or your other profile.
• Some of your add-ons may not work. Or if they do work today, they may not work tomorrow. Add-on authors are not obligated to make their add-ons work in beta, but please submit your issues to help prepare them for new releases. Consult the Add-ons FAQ if you have difficulty.

Resources, Assistance, References

How to help improve beta and get help:

• Post questions about normal Thunderbird usage in Thunderbird support.
• Join the beta community to ask questions. Browse to see current information about beta and see what other beta users are discussing. The forum operates in English, so if you need assistance in another language please ask for help in Thunderbird support.
• Test both new and old features and report bugs that you find.
• Report performance issues that reproduce in troubleshoot mode by creating a performance profile and post the report URL in a bug report.
• ≡ > Help > About > Release Notes in Thunderbird are very informative. Or Beta release notes in your browser.
• Ask beta specific assistance questions and comments in the beta forum, or
• ≡ > Tools > Export can be used to backup your profile, or to get to your profile directory quickly.
• Beta Start Page documents several of the above items and more handy information, accessed quickly in Thunderbird with ALT > Go > Mail Start Page ([Keyboard shortcuts - perform common Thunderbird tasks quickly#w_moving-around-thunderbird|keyboard shortcuts]), or in your browser.
• Other ways to contribute.

Add-ons

Add-on authors are not obligated to have their add-ons work in beta. So expect some or all of your add-ons to not work. Or if they do work today, they may not work tomorrow. Consult the add-ons FAQ if you have difficulty.

Download locations

• Windows, Mac and generic linux
• Ubuntu from Canonical -- sudo snap install thunderbird --beta
• Flatpak

How do I change from a beta version back to a release version?

How you change back to a release version depends on how you configured your profile data, and when you decide to make the change. If you only have one profile, then the best time to change is shortly before or within two to three weeks after a major version ships publicly, like when version 115 ships and the beta is still version 116. This timing will minimize the possibility that data structures have changed. You have two options:

1. Beta program installed in its own directory, beta data is in a dedicated profile, and you do not need any beta data (address books, local folders, pop folders, etc.) back in your production profile, and wish to remove the beta data and beta program from your system:
   • Start the release version of Thunderbird to use the profile manager.
   • Delete the beta profile using the profile manager, default name is “default-beta”.
   • Delete the beta version’s program directory in your OS.
2. Beta program installed in its own directory, beta data is in a dedicated profile, but you DO need beta data (address books, local folders, pop folders, etc.) copied back to your production profile. This gets messy and difficult, and is something you really want to avoid.
   • While running beta, export your address book(s) to file(s) as vCard, which you can then import into version 91 (but version 91's lower capabilities might mean the results will be less than perfect).
   • Open both of your profiles in your OS's file browser. One way of finding them is ≡ > Help > Troubleshooting Information > about:profiles.
   • Shutdown both versions of Thunderbird.
   • Backup your production profile.
   • Under the Mail directory you will find both Local Folders directory and pop account directories – you can copy the contents of these from the beta profile to your production profile, taking care to NOT overwrite any msgFilters.dat files (which contain your filter rules) in your production profile.
   • Imap accounts – there should be no need to copy any files from beta profile to your production profile.

Beta isn't for me. How can I help?

Participate lists many ways for you to help in the community, and places to learn more about Thunderbird.