How to Install Thunderbird on Ubuntu 24.04: A Complete Guide
Looking for a powerful, free, and open-source email client for your new Ubuntu 24.04 Noble Numbat system? Mozilla Thunderbird is a top choice, renowned for its flexibility, strong security features, and extensive customization options. It’s more than just an email client; it’s a complete personal information manager that can handle your calendars, contacts, and news feeds.
This guide will walk you through three straightforward methods to install Thunderbird on Ubuntu 24.04, ensuring you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Method 1: Install Thunderbird with APT (Recommended)
The most common and recommended way to install software on Ubuntu is through the Advanced Package Tool (APT). This method uses the official Ubuntu repositories, guaranteeing a stable and well-integrated version of the application.
Step 1: Update Your System’s Package List
Before installing any new software, it’s a crucial first step to update your system’s package index. This ensures you have the latest information on available software versions and their dependencies. Open your terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt update
You may be prompted to enter your password. This is a standard security measure.
Step 2: Install Thunderbird
With your package list updated, you can now install Thunderbird with a single command. The version in the official Ubuntu repository is thoroughly tested for compatibility and stability with your system.
sudo apt install thunderbird
The system will show you the size of the download and ask for confirmation. Press Y and then Enter to proceed.
Step 3: Launch Thunderbird
Once the installation is complete, you can find Thunderbird in your applications menu. Simply click the “Show Applications” icon (the grid of dots in the corner of your screen), search for “Thunderbird,” and click the icon to launch it.
Method 2: Install Thunderbird via the Snap Store
Snaps are containerized software packages that include the application and all its dependencies. They are easy to install, update automatically, and are sandboxed from the rest of your system for enhanced security. Ubuntu comes with Snap pre-configured, making this a very simple option.
To install the Thunderbird Snap, open your terminal and execute this command:
sudo snap install thunderbird
After the installation finishes, you can launch Thunderbird from your applications menu just like with the APT method. The primary benefit of using the Snap version is that it may be updated more quickly than the version in the Ubuntu repositories, giving you access to the latest features sooner.
Method 3: Install Thunderbird using Flatpak
Flatpak is another universal packaging system, similar to Snap, that allows you to run applications in an isolated environment. If you prefer using Flatpak or already have it set up, installing Thunderbird is easy.
First, if you don’t have Flatpak and the main Flathub repository enabled, you’ll need to set them up:
sudo apt install flatpak
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
You may need to reboot your system for the Flatpak integration to be fully recognized.
Once Flatpak is ready, install Thunderbird from Flathub with this command:
flatpak install flathub org.mozilla.thunderbird
Confirm the installation, and once it’s done, you can run Thunderbird from your application launcher.
How to Manage Your Thunderbird Installation
Now that Thunderbird is installed, here’s how to keep it updated and how to remove it if you no longer need it.
Keeping Thunderbird Updated
- APT Method: If you used APT, Thunderbird will be updated along with your other system packages when you run a standard system update.
bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
- Snap Method: Snap packages update automatically in the background by default, so you generally don’t need to do anything.
- Flatpak Method: To update your Flatpak packages, you can run the following command:
bash
flatpak update
How to Uninstall Thunderbird
If you decide to remove Thunderbird, the process is just as simple as the installation.
- To remove the APT version:
bash
sudo apt remove thunderbird
- To remove the Snap version:
bash
sudo snap remove thunderbird
- To remove the Flatpak version:
bash
flatpak uninstall org.mozilla.thunderbird
Which Installation Method Should You Choose?
For the vast majority of users, the APT method is the best choice. It provides a stable, secure version of Thunderbird that is perfectly integrated with your Ubuntu system and updates seamlessly with regular system maintenance.
However, if you want the absolute latest version of Thunderbird as soon as it’s released by Mozilla or prefer the security of a sandboxed application, both the Snap and Flatpak methods are excellent alternatives.
Source: https://kifarunix.com/install-thunderbird-on-ubuntu-24-04/
