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.

Refresh Contacts on macOS Without Restarting Thunderbird

  • 2 replies
  • 0 have this problem
  • 14 views
  • Last reply by GoneFishing

GoneFishing
GoneFishing
more options

I have Thunderbird open almost all the time. I will often add a new Contact to the macOS address book (Contacts) then go over to start a new message in Thunderbird. When I do this, the new contact can not be found. I need to quit Thunderbird and then restart it.

Is there a way to refresh (or reload) my address book (Contacts) without having to restart Thunderbird?

I have Thunderbird open almost all the time. I will often add a new Contact to the macOS address book (Contacts) then go over to start a new message in Thunderbird. When I do this, the new contact can not be found. I need to quit Thunderbird and then restart it. Is there a way to refresh (or reload) my address book (Contacts) without having to restart Thunderbird?

Chosen solution

I think the refresh rate is 30 minutes. Perhaps use the Thunderbird address book, or even the icloud one via carddav. Fundamentally I think the apple address book is just not really a starter with apple limiting it to read only.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (2)

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

I think the refresh rate is 30 minutes. Perhaps use the Thunderbird address book, or even the icloud one via carddav. Fundamentally I think the apple address book is just not really a starter with apple limiting it to read only.

GoneFishing
GoneFishing Question owner
more options

Using the iCloud address book with CardDAV seems to be exactly what I was looking for.

I found detailed setup instructions at: https://danielbrinneman.com/2022/12/12/sync-icloud-contacts-with-mozilla-thunderbird/

And after setting this up I could set the default refresh rate to various values, however if you just click on the three horizontal dots next to the name of the address book, you can just select "Synchronize".

It does not seem to support "Lists" (i.e. groups), however I rarely use them and even when I do it's rarely a new or updated List.

Thank you!