Serious Discussion Thunderbird for Android / K9-Mail

[Ink]

Wolf went back to work on your favorite mobile email client as it transforms into Thunderbird for Android.

We didn’t release any beta or stable versions in September. However, that’s an exception. Usually we publish a couple of beta releases a month. If you want to help shape future versions of the app, become a beta tester and provide feedback on new features while they are still in development.

Read more: Thunderbird for Android / K-9 Mail: September 2023 Progress Report

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

When Will Thunderbird For Android Be Released?

When will Thunderbird for Android be released? This is a question that comes up quite a lot, and we appreciate that you’re all excited to finally put Thunderbird in your pocket. It’s not a simple answer, but we’ll do our best to explain why things are taking longer than expected.

We have always been a bit vague on when we were going to release Thunderbird for Android. At first this was because we still had to figure out what features we wanted to add to K-9 Mail before we were comfortable calling it Thunderbird. Once we had a list, we estimated how long it would take to add those features to the app. Then something happened that always happens in software projects – things took longer than expected. So we cut down on features and aimed for a release at the end of 2023. As we got closer to the end of the year, it became clear that even with the reduced set of features, the release date would have almost certainly slipped into early 2024.

We then sat together and reevaluated the situation. In the end we decided that there’s no rush. We’ll work on the features we wanted in the app in the first place, because you deserve the best mobile experience we can give you. Once those features have been added, we’ll release the app as Thunderbird for Android.

Why Wait? Try K-9 Mail Now
But of course you don’t have to wait until then. All our development happens out in the open. The stable version of K-9 Mail contains all of the features we have already completed. The beta version of K-9 Mail contains the feature(s) we’re currently working on.

Both stable and beta versions can be installed via F-Droid or Google Play.

When Will Thunderbird For Android Be Released?

It's not a simple answer, but we'll do our best to explain why Thunderbird for Android developments is taking longer than expected.

blog.thunderbird.net

 

[silversurfer]

Help Us Test the Thunderbird for Android Beta!​

The Thunderbird for Android beta is out and we’re asking our community to help us test it. Beta testing helps us find critical bugs and rough edges that we can polish in the next few weeks. The more people who test the beta and ensure everything in the testing checklist works correctly, the better!

Help Us Test!​

Anyone can be a beta tester! Whether you’re an experienced beta tester or you’ve never tested a beta image before, we want to make it easy for you. We are grateful for your time and energy, so we aim to make testing quick, efficient, and hopefully fun!!

The release plan is as follows, and we hope to stick to this timeline unless we encounter any major hurdles:

• September 30 – First beta for Thunderbird for Android
• Third week of October – first release candidate
• Fourth week of October – Thunderbird for Android release

Download the Beta Image​

Below are the options for where you can download with Beta and get started:

• Download Thunderbird Beta on the Google Play Store
• Download the latest pre-release version from our Github Releases page

We are still working on preparing F-Droid builds. In the meanwhile, please make use of the other two download mechanisms.

Use the Testing Checklist​

Once you’ve downloaded the Thunderbird for Android beta, we’d like you to check that you can do the following:

• Automatic Setup (user only provides email address and maybe password)
• Manual Setup (user provides server settings)
• Read Messages
• Fetch Messages
• Switch accounts
• Move email to folder
• Notify for new message
• Edit drafts
• Write message
• Send message
• Email actions: reply, forward
• Delete email
• NOT experience data loss

Help Us Test the Thunderbird for Android Beta! - The Thunderbird Blog

The wait is over! Download and learn how to help us test the Thunderbird for Android beta for the upcoming regular release.

blog.thunderbird.net

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird for Android 8.0b2 (beta)​

Features:

• Always show all folders in the manage folders screen
• Import accounts from Desktop via QR codes
• Removed folder display classes

Fixes:

• Fixed a topcrash occurring with when removing accounts
• Improve robustness of XML settings files, missing elements will be skipped
• Welcome text is now properly aligned
• Update support link to point to support.mozilla.org
• Resolve a few accessibility warnings from the pre-launch report
• Star button now has an accessible name

Development and and Documentation:

• Added initial release build automation
• Replaced deprecated kotlinOptions with compilerOptions
• Cleanup of gradle and build plugin
• Updated translations

Thunderbird for Android:

• Temporarily removed telemetry while we improve user choice
• The initial implementation for funding has landed and is available on Github Releases builds (and in the future also the f-droid version)

Known Issues

• The settings import will also show apps that do not yet support the settings import and fail reading the settings
• The drawer will not update when you change starred accounts

Release Thunderbird for Android 8.0b2 (beta) · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

Features: Always show all folders in the manage folders screen Import accounts from Desktop via QR codes Removed folder display classes Fixes: Fixed a topcrash occurring with when removing accou...

github.com

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird Beta 8.0b3​

Features:

• The first iteration of an in-app funding appeal that allows you to financially contribute to Thunderbird via Play Store payments has landed in Beta and is available. Users with the Github Releases variant can give to Thunderbird using the [direct link](Support Thunderbird for Android). This is a great way to support Thunderbird’s development and show your appreciation for all things email.
• Users will now know if they need to update K-9 Mail to use the on-device account import feature.
• OAuth is now available for Fastmail users
• Importing from Thunderbird Desktop is now more prominently displayed in the onboarding

Fixes:

• Fixed an issue where the wrong account object was being changed, leading to account updates not being saved and inconsistent behavior
• Fixed another top crash, perceived users crashes is now well below the threshold.
• Added missing spacing in the message list
• Better validation of identities, a valid email address is now enforced

Development and and Documentation

• More advanced release automation from version bump to publishing releases

Release Thunderbird Beta 8.0b3 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

Features: The first iteration of an in-app funding appeal that allows you to financially contribute to Thunderbird via Play Store payments has landed in Beta and is available. Users with the Githu...

github.com

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird Beta 8.0b4​

New:

• Monthly financial contributions are now possible in the Google Play variant of this app. Help us find out if it works today! Thunderbird Beta for Testers - Apps on Google Play
• We've improved various parts of the release automation in order to get builds to you faster
• The account selector is now shown by default, making it more apparent where the settings can be found
• Added translations for Norsk Nynorsk (thanks @niedzwiedz63 and @Baardi)
• Added unread count to new folder drawer
• First time user experience adjustments to make the new import settings more apparent

Fixed:

• Shorten headers in onboarding and account setup screens to avoid wrapping
• The 'Bcc all messages to' setting value is correctly saved
• Better instructions when using the QR code import

Release Thunderbird Beta 8.0b4 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

New: Monthly financial contributions are now possible in the Google Play variant of this app. Help us find out if it works today! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.thunderbird.andr...

github.com

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird Beta 8.0b5​

New:

• The unread message colors have been updated to make it more apparent when a message is unread.
• We're now including a prompt to encourage users to make financial contributions. On beta, the timing of the prompt is lower than it will be on release, so you have a chance to test it.
• Added a thank you message to the funding experience, making it more obvious we are thankful.
• When using the QR code import, encourage users to upgrade Thunderbird Desktop where the feature has just landed.
• A big thank you to @aindriu80 who took the Irish translation to 100% very quickly. Irish is now available to all users.

Fixed:

• Folder drawer is no longer too wide on some devices
• Non-system languages will properly apply in the language switcher.
• Updated Gmail OAuth client ids to make a future transition more seamless.
• Fixed a visual glitch in the account images in the sidebar.
• When exporting settings, the correct brand name is used in the filename.
• Make the "Support Thunderbird" menu item more consistent across applications.
• With a new icon, it is now more apparent how to initiate a server-side email search.
• A few different developer efficiency and release automation changes.
• Lifecycle listener changes in hopes of reducing our user perceived crash rate.
• The website link has been updated to point to the new mobile landing page.
• Accessibility improvements for the save attachment button.

Release Thunderbird Beta 8.0b5 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

New: The unread message colors have been updated to make it more apparent when a message is unread. We're now including a prompt to encourage users to make financial contributions. On beta, the ti...

github.com

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Thunderbird is now available on Android

Just over two years ago, we announced our plans to bring Thunderbird to Android by taking K-9 Mail under our wing. The journey took a little longer than we had originally anticipated and there was a lot to learn along the way, but the wait is finally over! For all of you who have ever asked “when is Thunderbird for Android coming out?”, the answer is – today! We are excited to announce that the first stable release of Thunderbird for Android is out now, and we couldn’t be prouder of the newest, most mobile member of the Thunderbird family.

Thunderbird for Android 8.0 Takes Flight - The Thunderbird Blog

Thunderbird for Android takes flight today! Find out what's new in the first stable release, where to download it, and how to get started!

blog.thunderbird.net

Release Thunderbird 8.0 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

New: Thunderbird for Android now looks like a Thunderbird! New Material 3 folder drawer gives Thunderbird a fresh new look. Migrate your settings from K-9 Mail to Thunderbird using an in-app setti...

github.com

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird Beta 9.0b1

New:

• Account initials now use the display name, improving customizability
• Account icons remain in the same position when selected

Changed:

• The IMAP ID command uses "Thunderbird for Android" for better distinction from Thunderbird Desktop
• Unified inbox enabled only when multiple accounts are configured
• Listing screenshots updated to remove calendar icon from mockup
• Listing icon sizes standardized across beta and release versions

Fixed:

• Push service now starts reliably when expected
• Correct default delete message action for QR-imported accounts. Please check your fetch mail settings!
• Release infrastructure and repository README improved
• Text in all button variants now center-aligned
• Clarify for localizers that the 99+ or 1k+ text should be very short
• Multiple crashes addressed
• Ignore invalid DNS repsonses while searching for server settings during account setup
• Retrying after a failure to fetch folders during account setup no longer crashes the app
• Folder drawer updates properly on account configuration changes
• Startup differentiates between light and dark themes

Release Thunderbird Beta 9.0b1 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

New: Account initials now use the display name, improving customizability Account icons remain in the same position when selected Changed: The IMAP ID command uses "Thunderbird for Android" for ...

github.com

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird Beta 9.0b2

New:

• Help text linking to support page added for Gmail login issues

Changed:

• Funding text updated to be more engaging and appealing

Release Thunderbird Beta 9.0b2 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

New: Help text linking to support page added for Gmail login issues Changed: Funding text updated to be more engaging and appealing Contributors: Thanks to @cketti, @inattee, @kewisch and @wmo...

github.com

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird 8.2

New:

• Account initials now use the display name, improving customizability
• Account icons remain in the same position when selected
• Help text linking to support page added for Gmail login issues

Changed:

• The IMAP ID command uses "Thunderbird for Android" for better distinction from Thunderbird Desktop
• Unified inbox enabled only when multiple accounts are configured

Fixed:

• Push service now starts reliably when expected
• Correct default delete message action for QR-imported accounts. Please check your fetch mail settings!
• Multiple crashes addressed
• Folder drawer updates properly on account configuration changes
• Startup differentiates between light and dark themes

Release Thunderbird 8.2 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

New: Account initials now use the display name, improving customizability Account icons remain in the same position when selected Help text linking to support page added for Gmail login issues Ch...

github.com

 

[silversurfer]

Thunderbird Beta 9.0b3

New:

• Hyperlink added to Thunderbird website on funding page

Changed:

• Use autoconfig server after MX lookup for email providers
• Messages are now always marked as read during archiving

Release Thunderbird Beta 9.0b3 · thunderbird/thunderbird-android

New: Hyperlink added to Thunderbird website on funding page Changed: Use autoconfig server after MX lookup for email providers Messages are now always marked as read during archiving Contributo...

github.com