How do I setup Thunderbird for UMBC Gmail?

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Google may block sign-in attempts from some apps or devices, including Thunderbird, that do not use modern security standards. As such Google recommends that you update to an app that uses the most up to date security measures. If you wish to continue using Thunderbird despite Google's recommendation, you will need to follow Google's instructions for allowing less secure apps.

  1. If you don't already have an email account set up in Thunderbird, you will be prompted to create one when you first start the application up.

  2. If you already use Thunderbird and wish to add your UMBC Gmail email as an additional account, from the Tools menu go to Account Settings. Then under the Account Actions drop-down menu click on Add Mail Account.

  3. Enter your name as you would like it to be displayed to others in the Your name field.

  4. Enter your full UMBC email address into the Email address field.

  5. Enter your myUMBC password into the box labeled Password.

  6. Thunderbird will attempt to work out your e-mail settings. Click Manual config to configure Thunderbird manually.

  7. Where it says Incoming:, make sure that "IMAP" is selected in the drop down box. To the right, set the incoming server hostname to "imap.gmail.com", the port to be 993, and select "SSL/TLS" from the drop down menu under SSL.


  8. To the right of where it says Outgoing:, set the outgoing server hostname to "smtp.gmail.com", the port to 587, and select "STARTTLS" for the outgoing SSL drop down menu.

  9. Enter your full UMBC email address into the Username box. With all settings entered, it should look similar to the picture below.




  10. Click Done.

  11. Your Google account is now ready to use via Thunderbird!



The first time you send an e-mail from Thunderbird you may see a Login failed message. You will then be prompted for your password.