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Migrating Email from Mac to Linux

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  • Last reply by Spood

Spood
Spood
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Hi

I am trying to migrate all email and calendars from Mac (Mojave) to Ubuntu I was using the latest version that I could install on Mac - I cannot recall the version number but I have been using Thunderbird on Mac for about 12 years and just updated as releases were available. I have 12 years of Email data and Calendars etc that I am unable to lose and require as I move forward.

I copied my Thunderbird folder that was stored within the Library folder on Mac

After installing Thunderbird on Linux (Ubuntu) I assumed that I would simply have to do the following:-

Edit the install and profile files to reflect my existing profile coming from Mac Delete the default profile created by Thunderbird upon startup/installation copy the profile folder from Mac on to the Linux box Start Thunderbird

Upon starting Thunderbird I get the following :- You have launched an older version of Thunderbird ...... Create New Profile | Quit

I tried creating a new profile then copying all data to that profile but I get the same message?

I have read through the standard migration guides offered on the Thunderbird site but very similar to the process I have carried out wit the same (not working) result.

Is anyone able to provide a more detailed guide to complete this process allowing me to preserve all current and historical data?

Many thanks

Hi I am trying to migrate all email and calendars from Mac (Mojave) to Ubuntu I was using the latest version that I could install on Mac - I cannot recall the version number but I have been using Thunderbird on Mac for about 12 years and just updated as releases were available. I have 12 years of Email data and Calendars etc that I am unable to lose and require as I move forward. I copied my Thunderbird folder that was stored within the Library folder on Mac After installing Thunderbird on Linux (Ubuntu) I assumed that I would simply have to do the following:- Edit the install and profile files to reflect my existing profile coming from Mac Delete the default profile created by Thunderbird upon startup/installation copy the profile folder from Mac on to the Linux box Start Thunderbird Upon starting Thunderbird I get the following :- You have launched an older version of Thunderbird ...... Create New Profile | Quit I tried creating a new profile then copying all data to that profile but I get the same message? I have read through the standard migration guides offered on the Thunderbird site but very similar to the process I have carried out wit the same (not working) result. Is anyone able to provide a more detailed guide to complete this process allowing me to preserve all current and historical data? Many thanks

Chosen solution

The versions of Thunderbird have to match, otherwise you will encounter that message. See Unable to use profile when you launch an older version of Thunderbird

Inside the profile folder you're trying to migrate, you'll find a file named compatibility.ini. Open it to find out which version of Tbird was last used with it, so that you can install and use that same version in Ubuntu.

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All Replies (2)

Stans
Stans
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Chosen Solution

The versions of Thunderbird have to match, otherwise you will encounter that message. See Unable to use profile when you launch an older version of Thunderbird

Inside the profile folder you're trying to migrate, you'll find a file named compatibility.ini. Open it to find out which version of Tbird was last used with it, so that you can install and use that same version in Ubuntu.

Spood
Spood Question owner
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Hi Stans

Followed your advice and installed, I had 68.11.0 on Mac I managed to install 68.10.0 on Ubuntu - That was the nearest I could get I copied over all the files from my Mac to ./thunderbird on Ubuntu I removed the compatibility.ini -- This has all the Darwin details in it I also updated the install.ini and profile.ini files to reflect the new code inside the [ ] I also removed any reference to the installed default profile I then deleted the installed profile so the only one available was mine

I started thunderbird and "Voila" the email all arrived and also starting downloading mail The calendar was not working so I went to extensions, downloaded lightning and the last 12 years of calendar data was immediately displayed

All good and thanks :-)