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How do I export my private PGP Key from the new Thunderbird Version?

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  • Last reply by tg42
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simclaphi
simclaphi

How do I export my private PGP Key from the new Thunderbird Version? I created it when 72.2.1 was released and I want to backup it, but I have now idea how to export it. I am using MacOS.

Thank you!

How do I export my private PGP Key from the new Thunderbird Version? I created it when 72.2.1 was released and I want to backup it, but I have now idea how to export it. I am using MacOS. Thank you!

Chosen solution

I am told you can do ...

Account Settings -> e2e encryption -> Use the top right chevron to open the Private key tab -> More Button -> Export Public or Private key

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Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
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Is the answer to your question in https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/openpgp-thunderbird-howto-and-faq ?

simclaphi
simclaphi Question owner

Not directly, I know it is stored in the profile folder of Thunderbird, but not exactly where...

Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor

Chosen Solution

I am told you can do ...

Account Settings -> e2e encryption -> Use the top right chevron to open the Private key tab -> More Button -> Export Public or Private key

tsmets+firefox.com
tsmets+firefox.com

@wayne OS : .mac OS - Big Sur (version 11.1) ThunderBird : 78.6.1 (64-bit) Account Settings -> e2e encryption -> Using the Top right Chevron ... the Menu "More" only proposes the following :

  • Copy Public Key
  • Send Public Key via Email
  • Export Public Key to File
  • -----------
  • Backup secret key to file
  • -----------
  • Revoke Key
  • Delete Key

I did that for my 6 or 7 e-mail addresses. When I Back up the key and move them to my Linux Box, I managed to import them all but one ... How can I investigate what's failing ?

tg42
tg42

The problem is, that this creates a "backup", not a real export. You can create a file which looks like a private key file, even enter a password, alas this file cannot be usefully imported elsewhere (except maybe to some other thunderbird of this new version).

Importing it to regular gnupg seems to work, but the password for the key is not the one given during "backup".