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! __TOC__ <!-- [[UI:details_start]] --> ==README - 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]]. * High-impact flaws such as data loss are rare but may occur. Protect yourself with backups. * New features may require developer time to complete and polish, so flaws are possible. Also flaws may not be fixed quickly, but do report them. And remember that patience is a good quality when using test versions. * Use the [https://thunderbird.topicbox.com/groups/beta/ beta topicbox] to learn about new features and user experience. * Expect frequent updates, which allows developers to quickly deliver improvements. * Make sure your installer does not install beta in a non-beta program directory - official Mozilla downloads should do this correctly. See [[#How to install and run Beta|How to install and run Beta]] for more information. * If you use Thunderbird mail filters and you have more than one Thunderbird data profile, you must decide where you want to run your filters - in your beta profile or your other profile. Do not attempt to use filters in both. * Add-on authors are not obligated to make their add-ons work in beta, so some of your add-ons may not work in beta. Please submit your issues to the add-on author, and consult the [[Thunderbird add-ons - frequently asked questions#w_what-if-my-add-on-is-broken|Add-ons FAQ]] if you have difficulty. * Are you using POP accounts? Unlike IMAP accounts, by default your only copy of POP mail is in your local Thunderbird data profile. If you want to use a POP account with beta you must choose: ** Don't use the POP account with your non-beta install ** Don't use the POP account with your beta install ** Using POP on both beta and non-beta install is messy - you must set both go with the option "Leave messages on server" in ≡ > Account Settings > Server Settings, and with "For at most [X] days" option is unchecked. And you will need to manually delete messages from the POP server. It is suggested that you do not use "Fetch headers only". <!-- [[UI:details_end]] --> = Resources, Assistance, References = How you can help improve Thunderbird, find help, and give help: * [[README - important considerations about using beta|Review the README above]]. * Post questions about normal Thunderbird usage in [https://support.mozilla.org/questions/new/thunderbird/form Thunderbird support] aka SUMO. * Answer questions about Thunderbird usage in [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/thunderbird?filter=recently-unanswered&show=all SUMO]. * Ask and help with beta-specific questions in the [https://thunderbird.topicbox.com/groups/beta beta topicbox community]. * [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi?product=Thunderbird Report bugs] that you find. Report performance issues by [[Profiling Thunderbird Performance|creating a performance profile]] and adding it to your bug report or support posting. * Read informative Release Notes at ≡ > Help > About > Release Notes in Thunderbird, or visit [https://www.thunderbird.net/notes/beta Beta release notes]. * [[Mozilla Crash Reporter TB|Submit all crash reports]]. * Backup your profile with ≡ > Tools > Export. * Review the Beta Start Page which has handy information, accessed 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]. * Join us in [https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/participate/ other ways to contribute to the project.] = 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. Some might not work. Consult the [[Thunderbird add-ons - frequently asked questions#w_what-if-my-add-on-is-broken|add-ons FAQ]] if you have difficulty. = How to install and run Beta = You will want beta to be installed into its own program directory. If you download beta from official sources then installation should happen correctly. But do check that it installs to its own program directory. If you need more help please refer to installation instructions for [[Install Thunderbird on Windows|Windows]], [[Install Thunderbird on Mac|macOS]], [[Install Thunderbird on Linux|Linux]], and [[Well known sources for downloading the Thunderbird email software|official sources]] for additional details. Quick links to official beta sources: * [https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/all/?release=beta Windows, macOS and Linux via Thunderbird download page] - choose the beta channel * [https://snapcraft.io/thunderbird Ubuntu from Canonical via Snap] <code>-- sudo snap install thunderbird --beta</code> * [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? = You should not change from beta to release by just pointing the release install to the beta Thunderbird data profile, whose data will have been created with a newer version number. You should instead make a separate profile for release, and any data you need from the beta profile should wherever possible be transferred using standard tools, address book export+import for example. Exceptions: * For POP and local mail, in the '''Mail''' directory of your Thunderbird profile you will find both '''Local Folders''' directory and POP account directories – you can copy the contents of these from one profile to another, taking care to NOT overwrite any msgFilters.dat files (which contain your filter rules).''' HOWEVER, NOTE, files from a newer version are not guaranteed to work in an older version.''' * for Imap accounts – there should be no need to copy any files from beta profile to your production profile. Old, complicated instructions (to be removed) ... 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!

README - important considerations about using beta

• Protect your Thunderbird data by doing regular backups of your Thunderbird profile.
• High-impact flaws such as data loss are rare but may occur. Protect yourself with backups.
• New features may require developer time to complete and polish, so flaws are possible. Also flaws may not be fixed quickly, but do report them. And remember that patience is a good quality when using test versions.
• Use the beta topicbox to learn about new features and user experience.
• Expect frequent updates, which allows developers to quickly deliver improvements.
• Make sure your installer does not install beta in a non-beta program directory - official Mozilla downloads should do this correctly. See How to install and run Beta for more information.
• If you use Thunderbird mail filters and you have more than one Thunderbird data profile, you must decide where you want to run your filters - in your beta profile or your other profile. Do not attempt to use filters in both.
• Add-on authors are not obligated to make their add-ons work in beta, so some of your add-ons may not work in beta. Please submit your issues to the add-on author, and consult the Add-ons FAQ if you have difficulty.
• Are you using POP accounts? Unlike IMAP accounts, by default your only copy of POP mail is in your local Thunderbird data profile. If you want to use a POP account with beta you must choose:
  • Don't use the POP account with your non-beta install
  • Don't use the POP account with your beta install
  • Using POP on both beta and non-beta install is messy - you must set both go with the option "Leave messages on server" in ≡ > Account Settings > Server Settings, and with "For at most [X] days" option is unchecked. And you will need to manually delete messages from the POP server. It is suggested that you do not use "Fetch headers only".

Resources, Assistance, References

How you can help improve Thunderbird, find help, and give help:

• Review the README above.
• Post questions about normal Thunderbird usage in Thunderbird support aka SUMO.
• Answer questions about Thunderbird usage in SUMO.
• Ask and help with beta-specific questions in the beta topicbox community.
• Report bugs that you find. Report performance issues by creating a performance profile and adding it to your bug report or support posting.
• Read informative Release Notes at ≡ > Help > About > Release Notes in Thunderbird, or visit Beta release notes.
• Submit all crash reports.
• Backup your profile with ≡ > Tools > Export.
• Review the Beta Start Page which has handy information, accessed in Thunderbird with ALT > Go > Mail Start Page (keyboard shortcuts), or in your browser.
• Join us in other ways to contribute to the project.

Add-ons

Add-on authors are not obligated to have their add-ons work in beta. Some might not work. Consult the add-ons FAQ if you have difficulty.

How to install and run Beta

You will want beta to be installed into its own program directory. If you download beta from official sources then installation should happen correctly. But do check that it installs to its own program directory. If you need more help please refer to installation instructions for Windows, macOS, Linux, and official sources for additional details.

Quick links to official beta sources:

• Windows, macOS and Linux via Thunderbird download page - choose the beta channel
• Ubuntu from Canonical via Snap -- sudo snap install thunderbird --beta
• Flatpak

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

You should not change from beta to release by just pointing the release install to the beta Thunderbird data profile, whose data will have been created with a newer version number.

You should instead make a separate profile for release, and any data you need from the beta profile should wherever possible be transferred using standard tools, address book export+import for example. Exceptions:

• For POP and local mail, in the Mail directory of your Thunderbird profile you will find both Local Folders directory and POP account directories – you can copy the contents of these from one profile to another, taking care to NOT overwrite any msgFilters.dat files (which contain your filter rules). HOWEVER, NOTE, files from a newer version are not guaranteed to work in an older version.
• for Imap accounts – there should be no need to copy any files from beta profile to your production profile.

Old, complicated instructions (to be removed) ...

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.