Add your existing cPanel mailbox to Thunderbird so you can manage mail from your computer. This connects an application to an existing address; it does not create a mailbox or change where your domain receives mail.
Thunderbird's account-setup layout changes between releases. The accompanying video may use older labels; verify the server settings against your current mailbox.
Before you start
- Confirm that the mailbox works in webmail. Have its full email address and mailbox password ready, not your hosting or client-area password.
- Open Email Accounts in cPanel and choose Connect Devices for that address. Use its recommended secure server settings; Titan accounts require Titan's separate settings.
Instructions
Start account setup
Open Thunderbird's Account Settings and use Add Mail Account under Account Actions where shown. Enter the sender name, full email address and password, then continue.
Review the discovered settings
Use Manual Configuration if automatic discovery chooses the wrong provider or values. Select IMAP when you want the server mailbox shared across webmail and devices.
Enter incoming and outgoing details
Copy both server hostnames from Connect Devices. Its standard secure settings use IMAP 993 and SMTP 465 with SSL/TLS. Follow the actual values displayed for your mailbox.
Confirm authentication
Use the full address for incoming and outgoing usernames and the mailbox password. Retest the settings, then finish setup only after they are accepted.
Check the selected SMTP account
In Account Settings, confirm that this mailbox uses the intended Outgoing Server (SMTP) entry, especially if Thunderbird already contains other email accounts.
Check the result
- Receive a new external test message, reply to it and check Sent. With IMAP, confirm that the expected messages also appear in webmail.
Troubleshooting
- The server certificate does not match
- Compare the hostname with Connect Devices and ask support to check it. Do not disable encryption or accept an unexplained certificate exception.
- Receiving works but sending fails
- Check the account's SMTP selection, username and saved password independently of the incoming settings. Record the error text without including your password.
Watch the video
The video may show an older interface. Use the written instructions above when screen names differ.
Continue with a related task
- Create an email account in cPanel
- Change a cPanel email account password
- Access your cPanel email through webmail
- Check for new email in Mozilla Thunderbird
- Send an email with Mozilla Thunderbird
