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

Thunderbird slow to open on MacOS 14.7

KB Ontario
KB Ontario
more options

Hello Experts,

I am a long-time user and fan of Thunderbird (various platforms).

I am currently using Thunderbird v 128.2.3esr (64-bit) on a 2018 Mac Mini (specs below). I do not use the Calendar or Chat features of TB. TB is configured to use the "macOS Address Book" (i.e. Mac's "Contacts") - and this is a critical feature for me.

I recently upgraded from MacOS v12.7.6 (Monterey) to MacOS v14.7 (Sonoma).

Now there is a significant delay of at least 10 seconds (sometimes accompanied with the dreaded spinning beach ball) upon starting TB. The sequence is like this:

1) Start TB 2) Primary Password Required dialogue box appears instantly 3) After entering the password and hitting return to sign in TB "Home" window appears but is blank 4) After a 10 second delay (sometimes with the beach ball appearing) the TB window completely opens, populated in the normal manner. 5) TB then seems to operate normally.

I have read article "https://support.mozilla.org/bm/questions/1421395". I can confirm that if I "disable Thunderbird's access to Mac Contacts in Mac Settings" then there is no delay noted in step 4 above. So it seems the delay does result from having TB access the macOS Address Book.

BUT it is a critically important feature for TB to utilize the macOS Address Book (Contacts).

I sync Mac Contacts across devices via iCloud, so TB will have access to the current collection of addresses, and I need only use one application to maintain my contacts.

I can live with the startup delay, disappointing though it is, because I find TB to be the best email application.

I do not know if the same issue occurs with the recently released macOS 15.x (Sequoia) - and I'm not ready or willing to upgrade to that version for a multitude of reasons.

It would be nice if the wonderful developers would investigate and resolve this delay issue.

Comments, tricks, and pointers most welcome.

Thanks.

PS: Does anyone know if this issue persists with macOS 15.x (Sequoia)?

Mac Mini specs: 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7 Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB 32 GB 2667 MHz DDR4

Hello Experts, I am a long-time user and fan of Thunderbird (various platforms). I am currently using Thunderbird v 128.2.3esr (64-bit) on a 2018 Mac Mini (specs below). I do not use the Calendar or Chat features of TB. TB is configured to use the "macOS Address Book" (i.e. Mac's "Contacts") - and this is a critical feature for me. I recently upgraded from MacOS v12.7.6 (Monterey) to MacOS v14.7 (Sonoma). Now there is a significant delay of at least 10 seconds (sometimes accompanied with the dreaded spinning beach ball) upon starting TB. The sequence is like this: 1) Start TB 2) Primary Password Required dialogue box appears instantly 3) After entering the password and hitting return to sign in TB "Home" window appears but is blank 4) After a 10 second delay (sometimes with the beach ball appearing) the TB window completely opens, populated in the normal manner. 5) TB then seems to operate normally. I have read article "https://support.mozilla.org/bm/questions/1421395". I can confirm that if I "disable Thunderbird's access to Mac Contacts in Mac Settings" then there is no delay noted in step 4 above. So it seems the delay does result from having TB access the macOS Address Book. BUT it is a critically important feature for TB to utilize the macOS Address Book (Contacts). I sync Mac Contacts across devices via iCloud, so TB will have access to the current collection of addresses, and I need only use one application to maintain my contacts. I can live with the startup delay, disappointing though it is, because I find TB to be the best email application. I do not know if the same issue occurs with the recently released macOS 15.x (Sequoia) - and I'm not ready or willing to upgrade to that version for a multitude of reasons. It would be nice if the wonderful developers would investigate and resolve this delay issue. Comments, tricks, and pointers most welcome. Thanks. PS: Does anyone know if this issue persists with macOS 15.x (Sequoia)? Mac Mini specs: 3.2 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7 Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB 32 GB 2667 MHz DDR4

Modified by KB Ontario

All Replies (3)

KB Ontario
KB Ontario Question owner
more options

Added question in original post asking if anyone knows if this issues persists with macOS 15.x (Sequoia).

Modified by KB Ontario

Helpful?

Wayne Mery
Wayne Mery
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

KB Ontario said
Added question in original post asking if anyone knows if this issues persists with macOS 15.x (Sequoia).

What post are you referring to?

This issue matches to https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1831673.

Helpful?

KB Ontario
KB Ontario Question owner
more options

Wayne, Thanks for the reply.

I read as much as I could about this issue, including the Bugzilla report you cite, before posting. I have to admit much of the technical detail in Bugzilla is beyond me.

In the article I quoted I did see your contributions. I noted you said there were only two performance bug reports {URL} that mention Sonoma, and neither are solid Sonoma issues in my mind.

Not everyone has the inclination or ability to report issues and I wouldn't want the limited number of reports (even with mine now added) to be interpreted as the issue is not "solid". I mean, I can replicate this every time I start TB (video available if needed). So the issue is a fact, and it would be nice if it were to be investigated and addressed. I'll provide any details I can to assist the good folks with the skills and knowledge who make TB happen.

I do see you've asked in the referenced discussion and Bugzilla 1831673 whether this issue happens or is gone in Sequoia. Thanks for doing that.

Clearly a major advantage of TB on the Mac is the ability to utilize the macOS Address Book (Contacts). It's not really a viable "workaround" to simply forego that utility. It would be great if this issue were resolved on Senoma. I am not ready to upgrade the macOS to Sequoia, but it would be nice to know if the issue is resolved or persists with Sequoia.

(The post you ask that I am referring to is my original post in this thread it is the "PS" in my reply to the original question. I put the PS in my now useless reply, before I realized I could edit the original (which is the PS) - but I couldn't delete the reply. Sorry about causing confusion.)

Many thanks to you and all TB contributors and developers !!!

Helpful?

Ask a question

You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.