Switch from IMAP to POP (Thunderbird-Mac)

Note: This page covers changing a previously configured IMAP connection for Thunderbird to use POP. Instructions below only cover the latest version of Thunderbird we support; instructions for previous versions may be similar, but not exact.

Be aware that if you switch from IMAP to POP, you will not be able to access any messages stored in folders other than the Inbox. Also, any filters that you created which move messages into your IMAP folders will be broken.

1. From the Tools menu, select Account Settings…. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Preferences-Main

   1. Select the NU Mail account.
   2. Click the Remove Account Button. A window similar to the following will appear:
      

      Mac Thunderbird Remove Account Warning

   3. Click the OK button.
2. Click the Add Account… Button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 01

3. Select the Email account button.
4. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 02

   1. Type your full name, nickname, or whatever you prefer into the Your Name: field.
   2. Type your e-mail address into the Email Address: field. Use your alias@northwestern.edu, e.g. b-mcgee@northwestern.edu.
5. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 03a1 (POP)

   1. Select the POP radio button.
   2. Type the name of your mail server into the Incoming Server: field. Your mail server is one of the following:
      • merle.it.northwestern.edu
      • lulu.it.northwestern.edu
      • casbah.it.northwestern.edu
      • hecky.it.northwestern.edu Note: Some departments have their own mail servers. If your mail server is not listed above, see your UNITS representative for the name of your mail server.
   3. Click the Use Global Inbox (store mail in Local Folders) checkbox if it is unchecked.
6. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 04

   • Type your NetID into the Incoming User Name: field.
7. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Step 05

   • Type NU Mail into the Account Name: field.
8. Click the Continue button. A window similar to the following will appear:
   

   Mac Thunderbird Accounts Wizard Complete (POP)

9. Click Done.
10. Select Server Settings from the left-hand portion of the window. A window similar to the following will appear:
    

    Mac Thunderbird Preferences-Server Settings (POP)

    1. Select the SSL radio button.
    2. Un-check the Use secure authentication checkbox if it is checked.
    3. Check the Check for new messages at startup checkbox.
    4. Check the Check for new messages checkbox.
    5. Check the Automatically download new messages checkbox.
    6. Un-check the Leave messages on server checkbox if it is checked.
11. Click OK to save your changes.