Thunderbird now appears to automatically configure itself (from an ISP database) with the correct settings for MobileMe SMTP upon initial account setup, but if it does not succeed here is a guide. Apple's support information is dated and inadequate. This guide is tailored to Thunderbird for Windows and based on version 3.1 but should work for other platforms.
Steps
- 1Click on the Tools menu and select "Account Settings...."
- 2In the Account Settings dialog box, click on the last list item on the left side, Outgoing Server (SMTP).
- 3On the right side of the dialog box click either the Add button if there is no SMTP configuration currently or the Edit button if there is.
- 4In the server name field use either smtp.me.com or smtp.mac.com depending on whether you want to use an @mac.com address or an @me.com address in the User Name field below it.
- 5In the Port field type in port 587.
- 6For Connection security, select STARTTLS.
- 7For Authentication method, select Normal Password.
- 8In the User Name field, enter your full email address (paying attention to whether you need to use @mac.com or @me.com based on your previous choice of server names in Step 4).
- 9Click OK and then OK again and then try to send a message.
- 10If you have successfully configured SMTP, you should be asked for your SMTP password and then your message should be sent.