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.

Thunderbird cannot login to Mac email since OS X Sierra update. SOLVED use 2-step authentication

scotsscubagod
scotsscubagod
more options

Since I updated to Mac OS X Sierra, my Thunderbird client keeps asking for my Mac email password and fails to logon. I then receive a message saying that the Mac mail server has disconnected. My Mac password hasn't been changed recently and other email accounts, gmail & hotmail are working fine. This issue is happening on both my MacBook Pro's, I know I am entering the correct password as I logon to iCloud without any trouble, the email account settings in Thunderbird appear to be correct, the server settings are the same as if I try to set up a new Mac mail account in Thunderbird.

Since I updated to Mac OS X Sierra, my Thunderbird client keeps asking for my Mac email password and fails to logon. I then receive a message saying that the Mac mail server has disconnected. My Mac password hasn't been changed recently and other email accounts, gmail & hotmail are working fine. This issue is happening on both my MacBook Pro's, I know I am entering the correct password as I logon to iCloud without any trouble, the email account settings in Thunderbird appear to be correct, the server settings are the same as if I try to set up a new Mac mail account in Thunderbird.

Modified by Wayne Mery

Chosen solution

You'll need to create an application specific password for Thunderbird, as it doesn't support 2-step authentication natively.

Read this answer in context 👍 5

All Replies (4)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Are you using 2-step authentication?

scotsscubagod
scotsscubagod Question owner
more options

Yes, I am, I am not being asked to authorise on another device for email though, the native Mac mail client is working fine.

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
more options

Chosen Solution

You'll need to create an application specific password for Thunderbird, as it doesn't support 2-step authentication natively.

scotsscubagod
scotsscubagod Question owner
more options

Thanks Christ1, sorted now.