Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Can I show subfolders of my inbox in Thunderbird for Android beta?

  • 1 reply
  • 0 have this problem
  • 54 views
  • Last reply by Platform34
  • Open

Hello all,

I installed Thunderbird for Android beta at my smartphone. After importing my account from the desktop version of Thunderbird I don't see the subfolders of my inbox. How can I show subfolders in the app for Android?

Kindest regards

Hello all, I installed Thunderbird for Android beta at my smartphone. After importing my account from the desktop version of Thunderbird I don't see the subfolders of my inbox. How can I show subfolders in the app for Android? Kindest regards

All Replies (1)

Hi Darlha

Are your TB desktop accounts setup to use Imap or the pop protocol to connect to the server. https://www.one.com/en-gb/email/what-is-imap-and-pop3/

Imap is the modern protocol designed for use on multiple devices. Emails and folders are stored on the server and synchronised with each device.

Pop is the legacy protocol designed for use on a single device. Emails are downloaded and stored locally on the device. Once downloaded they are typically deleted from the server. Folders and emails are NOT sychronised to other devices.

If you're using Imap, any folders you have on the server will automatically synchronise and show in Thunderbird for Android.

You should use your providers webmail to create any new folders as direct folder creation is unsupported within TB-A

To enable emails within a given folder to automatically synchronise,

  1. Open the side menu to show the accounts folder list (Inbox, Sent, Draft etc)
  2. Tap manage folders (bottom of list)
  3. Tap a folder name
  4. Toggle "Enable Sync" or "Push" ON

To refresh your Imap folder list from the server ... On the manage folders screen, tap the three dot menu (top right of screen) and select refresh folder list.

If your TB desktop is using POP, you can still use IMAP on your phone. Instead of importing your account configuration using the QRCode, you should manually add them to Thunderbird for Android using the setup wizard.

Any emails stored only on your TB Desktop POP account will need to be uploaded to the server before they will be available in the mobile app.

Ask a question

You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.