It's not Thunderbird which does not accept the account - it is the yahoo servers which do not like whatever you are entering and it is likely to be the password.

Passwords - you cannot use the normal password which you use to logon to webmail. Yahoo will not accept it. If using the yahoo servers: This info is available in the Yahoo website - You have to logon to webmail and set up : Switch on 2 step verification and then generate an app specific password.

• https://in.help.yahoo.com/kb/add-two-step-verification-extra-security-sln5013.html
• https://in.help.yahoo.com/kb/learn-generate-password-sln15241.html

then in Thunderbird when you try to create existing mail account - enter that app generated password instead of normal password.

But, if you are using the ATT servers then it is the same, you need to logon to webmail and create a 'secure mail key' https://www.att.com/support/article/email-support/KM1240308/

If using the Yahoo server - either pop.mail.yahoo.com or imap.mail.yahoo.com - you could try the 'Authentication Method : OAuth2' Thunderbird should auto try to create the OAuth option. But you must enable cookies.

Info:

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/thunderbird-and-yahoo

To use OAuth - Do NOT switch on 2 step verification NOR generate an app specific password.

You Do need to allow Thunderbird to accept cookies and this must be set up before you attempt to create mail account. Info will say : Menu icon > Preferences - but in 102* it is now called 'Settings' > Privacy & Security Select checkbox 'Accept cookies from sites'

then attempt to create new existing mail account You would use normal password on this occasion and the server settings - Thunderbird should auto locate them when you click on 'Continue'

Todd. I appreciate your response. Concerning your first suggestion, I am not able to create either an app password or secure mail code in my Privacy & Security settings. The only option is to change my password. Depending on which ATT Support rep I speak with this is either because the old bellsouth.net domain is no longer completely supported, or because I don't use an ATT paying service (only free email) and don't actually have an ATT account. And FYI, I had already concluded it wasn't a Thunderbird problem because I had the same issue with several email backup apps I've tried.

Your second suggestion seems promising. I've allowed cookies for https://support.mozilla.org in my browser Microsoft Edge 104.0.1293.70 (64-bit) and Thunderbird 102.2.0 (64-bit) was already allowed to accept cookies. But 'OAuth2' is not one of the Authentication Method options. I tried 'Re-test' with it set to 'Autodetect', but Thunderbird wants to change it to 'Normal password'.

re :I am not able to create either an app password or secure mail code in my Privacy & Security settings. The only option is to change my password.

All passwords and app generated passwords for any email address are created in the webmail account so you have to logon to it via a browser. See the information at the links I provided.

I explicity advised you to do this in the webmail account - I posted links from both yahoo and att which offered good instructions on what to do.

So depending upon which servers you are using either create it in yahoo or ATT.

It sounds like you want to use the Yahoo server settings -server names either pop.mail.yahoo.com or imap.mail.yahoo.com then that is the yahoo server so you follow the yahoo instructions.

• https://in.help.yahoo.com/kb/add-two-step-verification-extra-security-sln5013.html
• https://in.help.yahoo.com/kb/learn-generate-password-sln15241.html

quote: "If using the yahoo servers: This info is available in the Yahoo website - You have to logon to webmail and set up : Switch on 2 step verification and then generate an app specific password."

Then once you have created the app generated password in yahoo then you have to use it instead of the normal password -

You were talking about creating a mail account on Thunderbird - as your question says "Can't add my bellsouth.net email address to Thunderbird"

As I mentioned previously: "then in Thunderbird when you try to create a new > existing mail account - enter that app generated password instead of normal password."

However, if I misunderstood you and you have already created the mail account in Thunderbird and it does not work. Please make sure you are using the 'yahoo' server settings in the mail account. Logon to yahoo account accessed via browser, create the required app generated password as per instructions.

Then update the incorrect stored password in Thunderbird.

In Thunderbird Menu icon > Settings >Privacy & Security Under Password click on 'Saved Passwords' Click on 'Show Passwords' You will have some lines that are for that particular mail account. If pop you will see a 'mailbox://' line, If imap you will see a 'imap:// ' line you will also see a 'smtp://..' line For each of those lines - right click and choose 'Edit Password' Clear all content and enter the 'app generated password/secure mail key' clickon 'Close'

Exit Thunderbird and wait a short while for background processes to complete - restart Thunderbird.

Toad, I appreciate your assistance and patients. But, for now, there is no solution. I spoke with an ATT Support representative who said Yahoo/ATT has a global mail server problem that began about 4 months ago. FYI, anyone attempting to contact ATT Support must now schedule a call-back in advance. My last call took a little over 12 hours. Anyway, he confirmed I was using the correct server settings. For email addresses with a bellsouth.net domain server names are .....mail.att.net. But, for now, most users cannot setup or disable '2-Step Verification', create a 'Security Key' or 'app password' or use 'Authentication Method: OAuth2'.

When the problem first began, I had to reset my password online every 2 weeks. Later that stopped working because temporary passwords would expire before I received them. The last time, after almost daily calls to ATT Support, it took 5 weeks to recover my account. There's a lot more to this story, but it's the reason I'm attempting to use Thunderbird to backup emails. Meanwhile, with a paid subscription to Yahoo Mail Plus, I am auto forwarding incoming emails to a new gmail address...not a complete solution but better than nothing.

An update produced a problem with people using yahoo servers, oauth - it has been fixed please update Thunderbird to version 102.2.2

I've updated Thunderbird and this still doesn't work. My understanding of the 'password' and 'Authentication method' server settings is: 1. I need an 'app password' if I use 'Authentication method: Normal password'. 2. I can use my webmail (ATT/Yahoo) sign in password if I use 'Authentication method: OAuth2'. The problem is ATT/Yahoo still will not allow me to create an 'app password' so the first method doesn't work. And the second doesn't work because Thunderbird will not let me select 'OAuth2'. Even this might be an ATT/Yahoo issue. I had no problem using 'OAuth2' to add a Gmail account to Thunderbird.

I'm assuming you are wanting to create an imap mail account: If you are using the Yahoo server Access/Logon to the yahoo webmail account via a browser. Please check the 2 step verification option - Important - You must NOT select to use 2 step verification - if you have selected it then switch it off and save settings. Otherwise Oauth will not work and neither will password.

These are the server settings you should be using: In Thunderbird > New > existing mail account

Enter name, full bellsouth email address and normal password - same one which you use to access the yahoo mail account. Select checkbox to remember password click on 'Continue'

Thunderbird will look for settings. These are the setting you should be using.

Incoming Server - IMAP Server: imap.mail.yahoo.com Port: 993 Security: SSL/TLS Authentication Method: OAuth2 Username: Your full bellsouth email address

Outgoing Server - SMTP Server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com Port: 465 Security: SSL/TLS Authentication Method: OAuth2 Username: Your full bellsouth email address

When prompted to enter Password: Use normal password same one you use when logging on to yahoo webmail account.

1. I need an 'app password' if I use 'Authentication method: Normal password'. 2. I can use my webmail (ATT/Yahoo) sign in password if I use 'Authentication method: OAuth2'.

Basically Yes, but then you also have to set up other things as well.

1. I need an 'app password' if I use 'Authentication method: Normal password'. Assuming you are still using the yahoo server settings. In this case - first - you have to access yahoo webmail account and switch on the 2 step verification. You will not be able to generate the app password if it is not switched on. then whilst in webmail account you generate the app generated password.

Then in Thunderbird: In Thunderbird > New > existing mail account

Enter name, full bellsouth email address and enter app generated password (not the normal password) Select checkbox to remember password click on 'Continue'

Then you will be using these server settings. Incoming Server - IMAP

• Server: imap.mail.yahoo.com
• Port: 993
• Security: SSL/TLS
• Authentication Method: Normal Password
• Username: Your full bellsouth email address

Outgoing Server - SMTP

• Server: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
• Port: 465
• Security: SSL/TLS
• Authentication Method: Normal
• Username: Your full bellsouth email address

I agree 100% (almost) with everything you said. I don't know how I can better explain this, but I do not have a Yahoo email account. I have an AT&T email account. AT&T chooses not to develop its' own webmail app but to use the Yahoo webmail app instead. It does not however use Yahoo servers; it uses its' own. So, the server settings are 'att.net' instead of 'yahoo.com'. FYI, I have tried both with no success.

Now back to my main problem. As I attempted (not very successfully) to explain before, when I go to Account info >> Account Security in Yahoo webmail, the only setting I see is the option to change my sign-in password. I can't enable 2 step verification and that's why I can't create an app password. The only other option as I saw it "might have been" for me to use my sign-in password with Authentication method: OAuth2. But first I would have to 'Allow apps that use less secure sign-in'. That just so happens to be another security setting I can't change (or even see). I was hoping it might be enabled by default. But since Thunderbird does not accept that setting, I suspect it is not. So, I'm still left waiting on AT&T/Yahoo to resolve whatever problems they are having.

Using AT&T You have to use a secure mail key. Go to this link, Under section 'Create a secure mail key' and follow instructions.

• https://www.att.com/support/article/email-support/KM1240308

In the link above, it will tell you to logon to your 'profile' - which is another link. Logon using bellsouth email address and normal password to get access to the profile

Once you have secure mail key.

Then in Thunderbird: In Thunderbird > New > existing mail account

Enter name, full bellsouth email address and for password enter the 'secure mail key' (not the normal password) Select checkbox to remember password click on 'Continue'

Thunderbird will attempt to locate configuration settings. You need to decide whether you are wanting IMAP or POP. You can click on the 'Configure Manually' button to see full info.

IF IMAP then you need these settings. Incoming Server Protocol - IMAP

• Server: imap.mail.att.com
• Port: 993
• Security: SSL/TLS
• Authentication Method: Normal Password
• Username: Your full bellsouth email address

Outgoing Server - SMTP

• Server: smtp.mail.att.com
• If using Port: 465 then use Connection Security: SSL/TLS
• If using Port: 587 then use Connection Security: STARTTLS
• Authentication Method: Normal Password
• Username: Your full bellsouth email address

IF you want POP : Then use: Incoming Protocol : POP3

• Server: inbound.att.net
• Port: 995
• Security: SSL/TLS
• Authentication Method: Normal Password
• Username: Your full bellsouth email address

Outgoing Server - SMTP

• Server: outbound.att.net
• If using Port: 465 then use Connection Security: SSL/TLS
• Authentication Method: Normal Password
• Username: Your full bellsouth email address

re: The only other option as I saw it "might have been" for me to use my sign-in password with Authentication method: OAuth2. But first I would have to 'Allow apps that use less secure sign-in'.

No. Oauth is not a less secure apps signin . Forget 'apps that use less secure sign in' they are a thing of the past. Gmail has also got rid of that option.

Thats' why all yahoo servers and those who use yahoo servers require either oauth or switch on 2 step and generate an app password to use instead of normal password.

In the same way for AT&T You have to create a secure mail key which you use in Thunderbird instead of normal password.

Oh. O.K. I wasn't aware of that aspect of OAuth2. Thanks for the clarification. But this still doesn't solve my problem. A secure mail key would normally be created in the Account Security settings. But for now, even that is not possible. As I said, all I can do is change my password. It was in the Account Security settings 6 weeks ago, although grayed out and deactivated. Now, along with all the other usual security settings, it doesn't appear at all.

I have found a link where person had issue creating secure mail key. Please take a look and see if it helps you: https://forums.att.com/conversations/att-internet-security/cannot-create-secure-mail-key/60550f1e488e00666c6cafd1

The link offers how to get to the correct location.

In same topic Another person found they had to use another browser.

re : A secure mail key would normally be created in the 'Account Security' settings When I read the instructions it does not mention accessing 'Account Security', you seem to be in the wrong place.

It says : go to the main AT&T website, login and do the following:

• Go to Profile and choose Sign-in info.

When I click on 'Profile' link it opens this: https://signin.att.com/dynamic/iamLRR/LrrController?IAM_OP=login&appName=m10707&loginSuccessURL=https%3A%2F%2Foidc.idp.clogin.att.com%2Fmga%2Fsps%2Foauth%2Foauth20%2Fauthorize%3Fnonce%3D56XuBEug9Z%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.att.com%252Fisam%252Fsps%252Foidc%252Frp%252Fconsumerfed%252Fredirect%252FolamOP%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26alt_dest%3Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.att.com%25252Folam%25252FpassthroughAction.myworld%25253FactionType%25253DViewProfile%26scope%3Dopenid%2BauthenticationTypes%26response_type%3Did_token%26state%3DwieepECbe4%26client_id%3Dm10707

Enter email address and password and click on 'Sign in'

• Select the email account - the bellsouth email address - that needs a secure mail key. (You’ll find a menu at the top if you have multiple accounts.)
• Scroll to 'Secure mail key' and select 'Manage secure mail key'.
• Choose the email address that you’d like to use, if you have more than one.
• Select 'Add secure mail key' and then enter a nickname for the secure mail key to make it easier to recognize.
• Choose 'Create secure mail key'.
• Select 'Copy secure mail key to clipboard'. Make a note of your secure mail key, so you have it handy if you need to update an email app on several devices.

DO NOT click on OK until you have copied the secure mail key. Get a copy first.

• For security purposes, the secure mail key only displays until you select OK.
• If you lose or forget the secure mail key, you can create new secure mail keys.
• Select OK.
• Go to your preferred email app and replace the existing password with your secure mail key. For an IMAP account, delete the existing password for both the IMAP and SMTP servers and replace them with your secure mail key.

Thanks a lot! That worked. I created a secure mail key and Thunderbird is now uploading messages. I had reached that web page before and saw a large bold black banner across the top that read, "Warning! You can't make changes because your account is either locked or canceled" (may not be the exact quote). So, I didn't even attempt to select Sign-in info. I got that same message again this time but tried anyway and it worked. So, anyone else with the same problem should ignore the warning.

One last comment. Thunderbird automatically generated POP3 settings. I had to enter IMAP settings manually.