Troubleshoot QR code and Android import issues

Tips, tricks and workarounds

• Disable export of passwords for accounts that don't use OAuth in Thunderbird Desktop: (Thunderbird app menu ≡ > Tools > Export for Mobile > Un-check Include all accounts passwords ).
• Sometimes, one or two email addresses with issues can cause QR code generation to fail in Thunderbird Desktop. Try exporting a fewer number of email addresses at a time in Thunderbird Desktop. Then, send Mozilla the logs for the email addresses that cause importing issues by following the instructions in the next section.
• Disable the DisableQRExport policy if enabled (Thunderbird Desktop 155 and newer).
• Try switching to light mode in Thunderbird Desktop. There are reports that the QR code generated by Thunderbird Desktop and Thundermail works better in light mode than dark mode.
• Workaround: You can enter the email settings manually in Thunderbird for Android if you are unable to import them using the QR code.:
  1. Thunderbird app menu ≡ > Settings gear icon > Add account.
  2. Enter your email address. For example: nemo@example.com
  3. Click Next and follow the prompts to enter your email account settings. Most email servers should automatically be detected and the settings will be auto-filled. If not, you can enter the settings manually.

Turn on QR code logging in Thunderbird Desktop

You will not be able to import some email accounts because they are configured in a way that is not supported by Thunderbird for Android, or because of device limitations. If you have a failure that does not match to one of the items below, create a qrexport log file in Thunderbird Desktop using logging instructions, and file a bug report.

Not supported

• Some Android devices with front facing cameras
• Email accounts with the following configurations are NOT supported (see Bug 1919786 for full details):
• GSSAPI.
• NTLM.
• TlsCertificate.
• TryStartTls. See Bug 1868517.
• Non-ASCII email addresses are not supported.
• Non SMTP outgoing servers are not supported.

Multiple outgoing servers are not exported

• Only the SMTP server for the default identity is exported for those email accounts with multiple outgoing servers.

How To Import from Thundermail

Export Thundermail settings with a QR code

1. In your desktop browser, open the Thundermail Accounts Hub at: https://accounts.tb.pro/dashboard and click on Mobile under Get started with Thundermail.
2. Click on the chevron ⌄ next to Scan QR Code to display the QR code for your Thundermail account.

Follow the steps below on your Android phone or tablet to scan the Thundermail QR code.

Import Thundermail settings into Thunderbird for Android

Open Thunderbird for Android on your phone or tablet and follow the steps below.

First run

After you install Thunderbird for Android and run it for the first time, here's how to import the Thundermail settings.

1. Tap Get started on the initial screen.
2. Tap Import settings. Thunderbird for Android will start the camera and display Align the QR code provided from Thunderbird Desktop Scan the QR code provided from Thundermail (ignore the Thunderbird Desktop wording; the QR code from Thundermail is the one you want).
3. Tap Import.
4. Tap on your Thunderbird email address at the top of the screen, and then tap Sign in
5. Since Thundermail uses OAuth, you will be prompted for your Thundermail password. Enter your Thundermail password and then tap SIGN IN to complete your import.

How To Import from Thunderbird Desktop

Export Thunderbird Desktop settings

1. Open Thunderbird Desktop and click Thunderbird app menu ≡ > Tools > Export for Mobile.
2. Check ✓ the Email accounts you wish to export to Thunderbird for Android.

   

3. If you have accounts that are not using OAuth and you wish to export your passwords, you will see a Security section. Check ✓ Include all accounts passwords under Security to export your passwords in the QR code.
4. Click Export. (You may be prompted for a PIN number. For Windows, that would be the Windows signin password.) A QR code will be displayed. Follow the steps below on your Android phone or tablet to scan the Thunderbird Desktop settings QR code. If you have many email accounts, multiple QR codes will be displayed when you scan from your Android device in the next step.

   

Import the Desktop settings into Thunderbird for Android

Open Thunderbird for Android on your phone or tablet and follow the steps below.

First run

After you install Thunderbird for Android and run it for the first time, here's how to import settings from Desktop:

1. Tap Get started on the initial screen.
2. Tap Import settings. Thunderbird for Android will start the camera and display Align the QR code provided from Thunderbird Desktop. Scan the QR code from Thunderbird Desktop.
   • If you have many email accounts, you will scan multiple QR codes, but only one QR code is displayed at a time by Thunderbird Desktop. After scanning the first QR code, Thunderbird for Android will display a confirmation of the form: Scanned X of Y where X is the count of QR codes you have scanned so far out of a total of Y QR codes (for example Scanned 1 of 2). In Thunderbird Desktop, click Next to manually advance to the next QR code to be scanned. Repeat until all QR codes have been scanned.
3. Ensure the email accounts you want to import are all checked ✓. Tap Import.
4. If your account uses OAuth instead of password authentication or you have chosen not to import your passwords, you will be prompted for your passwords. Follow the prompts to complete your import.

How To Import from K-9 or other Thunderbird for Android apps

Open Thunderbird for Android on your phone or tablet and follow the steps below.

First run

After you install Thunderbird for Android and run it for the first time, here's how to import settings from K-9 or Thunderbird from Android:

1. Tap Get started on the initial screen.
2. Tap Import your account settings now > tap Import from app.
3. Tap the email app you wish to import your email account settings from (either K-9 Mail or another release of Thunderbird for Android, for example Beta).
4. Ensure the email accounts you want to import are all checked ✓. Tap Import.
5. If your account uses OAuth instead of password authentication or you have chosen not to import your passwords, you will be prompted for your passwords. Follow the prompts to complete your import.