This article explains how to access AOL Mail in Mozilla Thunderbird. Additional information covers how to set up access in Mozilla Thunderbird 2.

What to Know

  • To set up, select Tools > Account Settings > Account Actions > Add Mail Account > enter AOL email\password > Continue > Done > OK.To set up in Mozilla Thunderbird 2, go to Tools > Account Settings > Add Account to begin the process.Important settings: Incoming server (IMAP): imap.aol.com, Outgoing server (SMTP): smtp.aol.com.

Access AOL Mail in Mozilla Thunderbird

To set up an AOL email account in Mozilla Thunderbird:

  • Select Tools > Account Settings… (Windows, Mac) or Edit > Account Settings (Linux) from the menu in Mozilla Thunderbird.
  • Press the Alt key if you cannot see the menu.
  • Click Account Actions.
  • Select Add Mail Account… from the menu that comes up.
  • Type your name under Your Name:.
  • Now type your full AOL email address (including “@aol.com” or to whatever domain your address belongs) under Email Address:.
  • Enter your AOL email password under Password:.
  • Click Continue.
  • Make sure IMAP (remote folders) is selected.
  • Select POP3 (keep mail on your computer) to have Mozilla Thunderbird download new mail from AOL but not synchronize folders and actions.
  • Note that, with POP3, Mozilla Thunderbird will be set up to delete downloaded messages from AOL after two weeks or after you have deleted them locally; you can change these options under your accounts’ Server Settings following the next step.
  • Click Done.
  • Click OK.

Access AOL Mail in Mozilla Thunderbird 2

To set up access to an AOL Mail email account in Mozilla Thunderbird 2:

  • Press the Alt key if you cannot see the menu.

  • Select POP3 (keep mail on your computer) to have Mozilla Thunderbird download new mail from AOL but not synchronize folders and actions.

  • Note that, with POP3, Mozilla Thunderbird will be set up to delete downloaded messages from AOL after two weeks or after you have deleted them locally; you can change these options under your accounts’ Server Settings following the next step.

  • Note that, with POP3, Mozilla Thunderbird will be set up to delete downloaded messages from AOL after two weeks or after you have deleted them locally; you can change these options under your accounts’ Server Settings following the next step.

  • Select Tools > Account Settings… or Edit > Account Settings from the menu.Click Add Account….Make sure Email account is selected.Click Continue.Enter your name under Your Name:.Type your AOL email address under Email Address:.Remember to include the “@aol.com” part following your AOL screen name. If your screen name is “essempio”, for example, use “essempio@aol.com”.Click Continue.Make sure IMAP is selected under Select the type of incoming server you are using.Type “imap.aol.com” under Incoming Server:.Click Continue.Verify Mozilla Thunderbird has entered your AOL screen name in the Incoming User Name: and Outgoing User Name: fields.Click Continue.Give the account a descriptive name (“AOL Email” or what Mozilla Thunderbird suggests your AOL email address) under Account Name:.Click Continue.Now click Done.Highlight Outgoing Server in the account list.Click Add… on the right.Type “AOL Email” under Description:.Enter “smtp.aol.com” under Server Name:.Type “587” under Port:.Make sure Use name and password is checked.Enter your AOL screen name under User Name:.Click OK.Now highlight your AOL account in the account list.Under Outgoing Server (SMTP):, choose AOL Email - smtp.aol.com.Highlight Copies & Folders under your AIM Mail account in the server list.Make sure Place a copy in: is not checked under When sending messages, automatically:.Click OK.

  • Remember to include the “@aol.com” part following your AOL screen name. If your screen name is “essempio”, for example, use “essempio@aol.com”.

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