For Thunderbird users, there will be a thunderbird.tmp sub-folder in Downloads in Ubuntu 24.04. Here are the workarounds to get rid of it!
As you may know, the Thunderbird package in Ubuntu 24.04 is a Snap package that runs in sandbox! Due to this switch, the “thunderbird.tmp” sub-folder will be created on every launch (even after you deleted it) of the email client, in user’s Downloads folder.
“This is a tmp dir to store files you choose to open directly from Thunderbird. The snap can’t use the usual (insecure) /tmp location so had to choose something widely available so other apps can open the files if chosen.“
For Thunderbird users who don’t like Snap package, here’s step by step guide shows how to replace the pre-installed snap version of the mail client with classic Deb package in Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
Like Firefox, the Thunderbird Email Client in Ubuntu 24.04 has been replaced as Snap package that runs in sandbox! If you don’t like the change, then here are 2 other choices:
Like Firefox, Thunderbird email client in Ubuntu is going to be replaced as a Snap app runs in sandbox.
Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, is working on porting core apps to Snap package format in recent years. Firefox, Chromium (in system repository), and Ubuntu Software (App Center) are now Snap apps in current Ubuntu releases. Next will be probably Thunderbird!
Canonical has built Thunderbird as Snap package for a period of time. It’s a re-pack of the upstream binary, only available for amd64 (Intel/AMD CPUs), as alternative package for the pre-installed .deb package.
Just one day ago, the Ubuntu Desktop team announced that the Thunderbird Beta Snap now is building from source instead of repacking. Meaning it can be built on other CPU architecture types, such as arm64 and armhf.
And, the Thunderbird Snap built from source aims to be default in next Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
We are aiming at using the snap built from source instead of the deb in Noble. (the reasons are the same than for Firefox, making it easier to roll new versions on older supported series and reducing the maintenance efforts).
Meaning in future, there will be (mostly) NO .deb package for the Thunderbird email client in Ubuntu repository!
Thankfully, those who prefer the classic .deb to Snap can use the Mozilla Team PPA instead, which is maintained by members from Ubuntu Developer Team.
For more about the Thunderbird package format transition, see it in discourse.ubuntu.com.
Thunderbird email client 60 stable is finally available via Mozilla Team Stable PPA for Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 18.10, and their derivatives.
Thunderbird 60 was released one month and a half ago with following exciting new features:
New application logo
New “Photon” UI with rectangular tabs
Optional ‘light’ and ‘dark’ themes
Supports WebExtensions
New “Add-on Options” in Tools menu
Calendar events now display location
Native notifications on Linux
Improved email attachment UX
Compose window has button to delete email recipient(s)
Set the update interval for individual RSS feeds
OAuth2 authentication for Yahoo and AOL
FIDO U2F support
How to Install Thunderbird 60 in Ubuntu via PPA:
Open terminal either via Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut or by searching for ‘terminal’ from software launcher. When it opens, do following steps to add the Mozilla Team PPA and install Thunderbird 60.
1. Paste the command in terminal and hit run to add the PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/ppa
Type your password (no asterisks feedback) when it prompts and hit Enter.
2. Then launch Software Updater and you’ll see the software updates after checking for update.
Or run following command one by one to refresh repository cache and install software updates:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
Uninstall:
To downgrade Thunderbird to the stock version in Ubuntu universe repository, run command to purge the PPA:
You don’t have to do something special to install Thunderbird 24 because Canoncial has updated Ubuntu universe repository, so that you can easily upgrade to the latest version via Sysnaptic Package Manager. For details, follow the steps below:
1.) Open Ubuntu Software Center, search for and install Synaptic Package Manager:
2.) Open Synaptic Package Manager from Unity Dash.
3.) Click Reload button to update package lists.
4.) Search thunderbird in the Quick filter box.
5.) Right-click on the package and choose ‘Mark for Upgrade’
