re :I can also confirm that there are no Thunderbird-related entries in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Contacts, which means that macOS is not automating the requests.

Having selected “Use Mac OS X Address Book”, try restarting Thunderbird to see if makes the request and then access the System Preferences to allow Thunderbird. Is it possible to add an app to the list using the + You need to set a security setting on OSX that has to be set to allow the address book to be used. System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy

You'll see a few Apps and System Functions where you can allow other apps to access them. I believe there is a check box where you have to allow 'Thunderbird' to have access to "Contacts". https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh43711/10.14/mac/10.14

Toad-Hall said

re :I can also confirm that there are no Thunderbird-related entries in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Contacts, which means that macOS is not automating the requests. Having selected “Use Mac OS X Address Book”, try restarting Thunderbird to see if makes the request and then access the System Preferences to allow Thunderbird. Is it possible to add an app to the list using the + You need to set a security setting on OSX that has to be set to allow the address book to be used. System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy You'll see a few Apps and System Functions where you can allow other apps to access them. I believe there is a check box where you have to allow 'Thunderbird' to have access to "Contacts". https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mh43711/10.14/mac/10.14

Source: https://www.howtogeek.com/361707/how-macos-mojaves-privacy-protection-works/

Unfortunately, it didn’t work, and then I came across the article above (I'm not perfect at computers)

It appears that in Mojave and later releases, Thunderbird has to ask me for permission before accessing the data in Contacts, and I can’t whitelist Thunderbird in the Contacts section of the Privacy settings until Thunderbird asks me first, which it isn’t.

I wonder if the developers of Thunderbird were aware of the change to the app permission rules that started with Mojave?

Why not go into your Contacts app - and export all of them as a list (tab delimited, or CSV comma separated variables) - or as a folder full of vCards (.vcf)?

Then go to TB and under the Tools Menu select Import. Select the Address Books radio button and click the Next Button.

TB can Import vCards (.vcf format), or text lists of contacts in LDIF (.ldif or .ldi formats), Tab (.tab or .txt), or CSV comma separated variables (.csv) natively. I believe they will wind up in a separate address book folder in TB ... which you can merge with the other ones.

If you can't get TB to ask you permission to access the Mac OS X Address book ... then FORCE It to IMPORT those Contacts - using this old school (Export from Contacts ----->) then (Import with TB <------ ) workaround ... Inspired by the original "SneakerNet".

I use a Mac but mine is too old For Mojave unless I buy a $300 Upgrade graphics card for it. So I can't troubleshoot Mojave problems. But I would do this workaround, myself.

There is one further advantage to doing this workaround: you get a current backup of all of your Mac OS X Contacts (to put in the safe deposit box in your bank, or where ever you store critical offsite backups ... ).

I understand the export/import method, but what would be the point of having the option to use Mac OS X Address Book if it doesn't work in macOS Mojave and later?

If the developers need to know that TB isn't asking to be an Email client as of Mojave ... I would file an actual BUG Report here: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/enter_bug.cgi So that they can fix it for all users of Mojave (or Catalina) going forward.

I'm on Sierra: and I don't use the 'Use the Mac OS X Address Book' Option in TB any way ... so I am unable to replicate your issue. I think I did the Export/Import thing a while back, and TB adds email addresses as I reply to them, so I seldom open the Contacts app anymore. TB is my default scheduler/email/tasks/contacts/calendar ... all in one.

I can not offer a guarantee, but I have had an email that suggests that the following should fix the prompt on your apple product.

Apparently there is a database that macos maintains of decisions you have previously made with regards to entitlements.

SO from a command prompt try $ tccutil reset AddressBook

OR

$ tccutil reset All if you think the database might have larger issues.

I did try after I was advised of the issue to learn more about the tool in question. But all I could find were these developers resources. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/protecting_the_user_s_privacy/accessing_protected_resources

Did you file a bug? if so what is the link. I have some housekeeping to do with that stuff if you filled one.

Hello, see: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1586617

Sorry about the delay.

Hey Folks,

I am having this issue in macOS High Sierra 10.13.6. I have tried the tccutil reset AddressBook and unchecking then rechecking the box in Security & Privacy. Since I use multiple Macs and use Contacts across devices I need this to work. I believe it did at some point and it was working in Postbox when I gave up on that a few months ago.

Thunderbird 68.5.0 (64-bit) on 10.13.6 . Thanks, Robert

Tried two version of Daily and neither will retrieve email from my server.

Robert

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