How to fix a folder mismatch between iCloud mail and Thunderbird?
While migrating from Windows 7 to Windows 10, I logged into my iCloud mail account and reorganized my mail folders and some other minor administrivia. Once I installed Thunderbird 45.1.1 and entered my iCloud mail account information, I discovered that Thunderbird showed my mail folders they way they were before I reorganized them. When I log into iCloud mail, I can see that the folders are correctly organized, but when I examine Thunderbird, it persists in displaying the folders prior to their reorganization.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled Thunderbird 45.1.1 several times in an attempt to get it to read the current iCloud mail folder organization, all to no avail. I have searched the internet and found lots of information on installing and configuring Thunderbird, but nothing that matches this problem. Likewise I have searched the Mozilla support database and have not found anything that matches this issue.
How do I get Thunderbird to use the current folder hierarchy on iCloud mail instead of the obsolete folder hierarchy it persists in creating?
Please accept my thanks in advance for your help and assistance with this issue.
Modified by Mangi
Chosen solution
I believe that I have resolved the issue, though I am not entirely certain that I understand the resolution.
Since Thunderbird displayed the mail folders in a order that was different from the server, I believed and treated the incident as a synchronization issue. Somehow, it seemed, that Thunderbird was keeping and earlier version of the mail folder hierarchy and was not picking up changes from the iCloud mail server.
What I discovered through trial and error was that it was a Thunderbird folder subscription issue. I found the "Manage folder subscriptions" feature and while looking through it and comparing it to the iClould mail server, I noticed that the folders that had moved on iClould mail were listed on Thunderbird, but were not subscribed. When I looked further into Thunderbird, I found that the moved mail folders had "phantoms" in their old position and Thunderbird listed the phantoms as subscribed.
The "fix"? I unsubscribed from the "phantom" folders on Thunderbird and subscribed to the actual folders in their correct location on iCloud mail.
Since I do not understand Thunderbird's operation, I do not know if this resolution is a true fix or if it is merely a useful work-around. vOv.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (3)
Um, I am not aware of a folder structure that is part of IMAP. Other than to designate some folders as children of others. So is it this that is wrong, or the order folders are sorted by.
Chosen Solution
I believe that I have resolved the issue, though I am not entirely certain that I understand the resolution.
Since Thunderbird displayed the mail folders in a order that was different from the server, I believed and treated the incident as a synchronization issue. Somehow, it seemed, that Thunderbird was keeping and earlier version of the mail folder hierarchy and was not picking up changes from the iCloud mail server.
What I discovered through trial and error was that it was a Thunderbird folder subscription issue. I found the "Manage folder subscriptions" feature and while looking through it and comparing it to the iClould mail server, I noticed that the folders that had moved on iClould mail were listed on Thunderbird, but were not subscribed. When I looked further into Thunderbird, I found that the moved mail folders had "phantoms" in their old position and Thunderbird listed the phantoms as subscribed.
The "fix"? I unsubscribed from the "phantom" folders on Thunderbird and subscribed to the actual folders in their correct location on iCloud mail.
Since I do not understand Thunderbird's operation, I do not know if this resolution is a true fix or if it is merely a useful work-around. vOv.
Matt said
Um, I am not aware of a folder structure that is part of IMAP. Other than to designate some folders as children of others. So is it this that is wrong, or the order folders are sorted by.
I am not certain that I completely understand your question. The folders in question were moved to new locations so they became children of different parent folders on the iCloud mail server. Thunderbird did not pick up the change and displayed the folders with their old parents.
The sort order was fine, as far as I know. Does that answer your question properly or have I misunderstood?