Calendar and contacts in Thunderbird¶

Thunderbird connects directly to your Nextcloud calendars and address books (via CalDAV/CardDAV). No add-on is needed.

Step 1: Create an app password in Nextcloud¶

Thunderbird can't sign in through the browser, so it needs its own app password from Nextcloud. One app password is enough for both calendar and contacts.

1. Open https://<cloud-address> in the browser and sign in as usual.
2. Click your profile picture → Settings → Security.
3. Under Devices & sessions, enter a name you will recognise later, e.g. Laptop – Thunderbird, and click Create new app password.
4. Nextcloud shows a Login and a Password. Keep this window open, you need both in the next steps.

Step 2: Add the address books (contacts)¶

1. Open the Address Book (icon in the left bar, or ☰ → Address Book).
2. Click the arrow next to New Address Book and choose Add CardDAV Address Book.
3. Enter:
   • Username: the Login from step 1
   • Location: https://<cloud-address>
4. Click Continue. When asked for a password, paste the Password from step 1 and tick Use Password Manager to remember this password.
5. Tick the address books you want (e.g. Contacts) and click Continue.

Step 3: Add the calendars¶

1. Open the Calendar (icon in the left bar).
2. Click New Calendar… at the bottom of the calendar list.
3. Choose On the Network and click Next.
4. Enter:
   • Username: the Login from step 1
   • Location: https://<cloud-address>
5. Click Find Calendars. When asked for a password, paste the Password from step 1 and let Thunderbird remember it.
6. Tick the calendars you want and click Subscribe.

You can close the Nextcloud window now.

Make Nextcloud the default¶

• New contacts: in the Address Book, select your Nextcloud address book before you click New Contact. Contacts in Personal Address Book stay on this computer only.
• New events: when you create an event, pick your Nextcloud calendar under Calendar. Events in the local Home calendar stay on this computer only.

Troubleshooting¶