MZLA, the company responsible for the Thunderbird email client, has exciting news for Android users. The Thunderbird for Android app is now in beta testing and available for download on the Google Play Store. Additionally, a version will soon be released on the FOSS F-Droid store, and the app’s source code can be found on GitHub for those interested in building it themselves.
This beta release marks the culmination of years of hard work by Christian Ketterer, the lead developer of the app. Despite being in beta, Thunderbird for Android is quite advanced and mature. This is because the app is not a completely new project but is based on the well-established K9 Mail application, which has been around for 15 years since its launch in October 2008.
K9 Mail is a popular email client for Android and has been the recipient of praise, being named The Register Android App of the Week back in 2011. The familiarity of K9 Mail’s interface remains intact in Thunderbird for Android, providing users with a seamless transition to the new app.
Interestingly, K9 Mail serves as the foundation for the email client on certain de-Googled Android phones, such as the /e/ Foundation Murena One and the Punkt MC02. This demonstrates the reliability and versatility of K9 Mail, which has now been incorporated into Thunderbird for Android.
Upon testing the Thunderbird 8 beta on an Android 14 device, we found that it functioned smoothly and efficiently, just like K9 Mail. Setting up email accounts from providers like Hotmail and Yahoo was a breeze, with the app automatically configuring the server settings and requesting OAuth credentials.
Thunderbird for Android is ideal for users who handle emails professionally, as it offers advanced features like handling text-based email messages with ease. It also allows users to aggregate multiple email accounts into a single inbox, with each account being color-coded for easy identification.
In conclusion, Thunderbird for Android is a robust and reliable email client that caters to the needs of both casual users and email power users. With its roots in the trusted K9 Mail application, users can expect a seamless and familiar email experience on their Android devices. The beta release of Thunderbird for Android represents a significant milestone for MZLA and paves the way for a promising future for the app.
