Finally you can download Mozilla Thunderbird on your Android phone

It's taken years of waiting and anticipation, but Mozilla has finally released an official Thunderbird email app for Android. It is currently a beta version, but the final version is expected to be released later this month.

The beta offers all the features people love about Thunderbird (via 9to5Google). Automatic account setup, account switching, advanced inbox organization and push notifications. There's even a simple migration tool for anyone using the K-9 email client.

It's been 21 years…

Thunderbird is an open source and free email client that has been around since 2003, but has never had an official Android app. Mozilla, the free software nonprofit that also makes Firefox, built Thunderbird with all the bells and whistles of a premium email service, but without all the tracking and privacy issues. Plus it was free. Mozilla acquired K-9 Email in 2020 and some people wondered if it would become a true Thunderbird app, but nothing came of it.

Instead, there were rumors about a Thunderbird app, but nothing came of them. Well, the wait is now over. Developed by a team of dedicated volunteers, the app was set to launch in June, but there have been some setbacks. The team decided to fix some outstanding issues with it before release. Now it is available on both Google Play Store and Github.

The K-9 migration feature comes in handy for those who have invested in this tool. It's a simple process to migrate your account from K-9 to Thunderbird without having to re-enter all of your login information. With the new app, users can perform all of the usual email functions such as composing, sending and receiving emails.

Mozilla hopes to refine the app with user feedback before releasing the full version, which is expected to be released in the third week of October. Mozilla has several apps on the Play Storeincluding Firefox, Mozilla VPN and several developer tools. Thunderbird is the latest app to the Mozilla suite.