thunderbird / thunderbird/thunderbird-android
IMAP IDLE push does not receive new messages until manual refresh (Fairphone 6 / Android 16)
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- Dominant language
- Kotlin
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Description
Checklist
- I have used the search function to see if someone else has already submitted the same bug report.
- I will describe the problem with as much detail as possible.
App
Thunderbird for Android
App version
20.1
Where did you get the app from?
Google Play
Android version
Android 16 (stock Fairphone OS)
Device model
Fairphone Gen. 6
Steps to reproduce
Mail server
All-Inkl (IMAP / Dovecot)
Account type
IMAP
Steps to reproduce
Install Thunderbird.
Configure an IMAP account hosted by All-Inkl.
Enable Push for the INBOX via Manage folders.
Grant the required Alarms & Reminders permission when requested.
Enable background synchronization.
Disable battery optimization for Thunderbird.
Leave Thunderbird running (foreground or background).
Send a test mail to the account from another device/account.
Additional comparison
The same IMAP account was tested on:
- Huawei P30 + Huawei Mail → New messages appear automatically without manual refresh.
- Fairphone 6 + FairEmail → New messages appear automatically without manual refresh.
- Fairphone 6 + Thunderbird → New messages only appear after manual pull-to-refresh.
- The same Wi-Fi network and the same IMAP account were used for all three tests.
The following items have already been verified:
IMAP account (not POP3)
Push enabled for INBOX
Alarms & Reminders permission granted
Background synchronization enabled
Battery optimization disabled
Manual refresh always works
Expected behavior
The new email should appear automatically within a few seconds via IMAP IDLE (Push).
Actual behavior
The message does not appear automatically.
Even when Thunderbird is already open and the INBOX is visible, no new message appears.
The message is only received after manually pulling down to refresh.
Logs
No logs attached yet. I can provide debug logs if needed. I preferred not to upload them initially because they contain personal email addresses and server information.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
No source files or tests are named in the report. Start by reproducing the All-Inkl IMAP scenario with debug logging enabled and trace the existing IMAP IDLE push entry point; done means new INBOX messages arrive automatically without manual refresh on the reported Android setup.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- kotlin
- Domain
- mobile, networking
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100