Switch from POP to IMAP (Thunderbird-Mac)

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

Before you begin, you will need to Set up IMAP Access on your e-mail server.

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 03b1 (IMAP)

   1. Select the IMAP 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.
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 (IMAP)

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 (IMAP)

    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.
11. Click OK to save your changes.