This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

How can I migrate from Thunderbird pc to mac?

  • 1 reply
  • 2 have this problem
  • 4 views
  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

valevale
valevale
more options

I can't seem to find any new-ish thread. Tried to mozbackup the data on the PC, but the .pcv file is useless on mac. I'm stuck - and I need to have the new Thunderbird up and running as I use it for work...

Anyone can help?

Many thanks.

I can't seem to find any new-ish thread. Tried to mozbackup the data on the PC, but the .pcv file is useless on mac. I'm stuck - and I need to have the new Thunderbird up and running as I use it for work... Anyone can help? Many thanks.

All Replies (1)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

On Mac.: install Thunderbird and let it run to startup. It will then ask you to create a mail account. Do not make a new mail account. Exit/close Thunderbird. This will create a new Profile folder.


On PC: make hidden files visible: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders

In Thunderbird: Help > Troubleshooting information click on 'Show folder' a new window opens showing the contents of the 'Profile' folder - you should see all the Profile folders and files. these are the folders and files you need to copy.

Close Thunderbird now - this is important.

You need to copy all the files and folders you see in the Profile folder. Do not copy the profile folder itself - you need to copy the contents. Put them on a memory stick or external device.

On MAC: Locate the new Profile name folder. 

    ~/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/Profile name/

The tilde character (~) refers to the current user's Home folder, so ~/Library is the /Macintosh HD/Users/username/Library folder.

Paste the contents of the pc thunderbird profile folder into the new Profile folder on the mac. Overwriting any files currently in that profile folder.

Open Thunderbird on MAC Do you see the emails etc.

Modified by Toad-Hall