Resolved Need email app for icloud email on Win 10

My sister gave my mother an iPad when she moved into an assisted living facility, but she could never get used to it and chose to have her computer returned to her. Unfortunately, her email address was changed to an icloud.com email, and there are too many places to change to change the address again. I'm looking for a program that will allow her to access her email without having to open a browser. I can access her email if I open Firefox, but I can't get Thunderbird to work. I tried eM Client and Mailbird, and they wouldn't allow me to access her account, either. I want something that will be free and easy for a 95-year-old woman. What would you recommend?

 

I use Gmail as my server and my Thunderbird email works well from there.

 

I agree with you, and that is how I handle my email. Unfortunately, family politics have to be considered, and it's challenging to deal with Apple fanatics. To ease family tension, we're stuck with iCloud for email. How can I easily blend the two systems?

 

A bit more detail required here please.
Is this a non-Apple PC?
What OS is it running?

As I understand it, you need a Browser to access any Email account via your ISP.
If Firefox opens as your Browser - Downloading and installing Thunderbird usually asks during setup, if you wish to transfer data from other email accounts
I've been using Mozilla FF & TB since 2004 and through W95/98/ME/XP/Vista/W7/W8.1 and W10 and it always asks whether you want to transfer anything during setup.
I found that TB was able transfer Outlook Express info during setup way back in the old days.
If you can access her email, can you import what is needed to your email account?
How do I get Thunderbird to work with Apple iCloud? | Thunderbird Support Forum | Mozilla Support
HOW TO i IMPORT MY CONTACTS TO tHUNDERBIRD FROM ICLOUD | Thunderbird Support Forum | Mozilla Support

 

I couldn't get Thunderbird or eM Client to work, but I eventually got Mailbird to work, though it was a hassle. I don't have the time to go through the steps now, but I'll do my best to provide this information tomorrow. If it was my computer, I'd never attempt to use icloud on a PC. It does work fine now, though, and I even found a way to import her address book from her old Thunderbird account (again, not easy). Tomorrow I'll share what I learned.

 

I went through too many steps to be able to remember them all, but here is something that might help. You need to set up two-step verification user which adds a 6 digit verification code after putting in your iCloud email password. Then you need an App-Specific password, enter that on your email app (Mailbird worked for me) instead of your iCloud password.

• sign into Apple ID with your iCloud email and password: https://appleid.apple.com/account/manage
• Set up two-step verification now. As a two step verification user, your device (for me, iPad) will give you a verification code to enter after you put in your iCloud email password.
  
• in the 'Security' section, hit 'Edit'
• in the 'App-Specific Passwords' section, hit 'Generate Password...'
• enter a label for this password (I typed 'email app')
• hit 'Create'
• an app-specific password will be created for you, in this format (case sensitive) tmah-jdbq-rdyy-gdes
• copy the password and hit 'Done'
• now open up your mail app > settings > manage accounts > select your iCloud account and enter your app-specific password then 'Save'

To import the address book from Thunderbird, I opened up Thunderbird's address book then went to Tools > Export and saved as vCard to my Desktop. I was then able to import the vCard files to Mailbird and have all previous contact information available on Mailbird.

I believe I also downloaded Download iCloud for Windows.

Good luck. I admit I went through a lot of steps, possibly more than I stated here, but I was able to get everything to work.

 

All happy in the Family again?

 

She hasn't been on a computer since March, so she is struggling to get back into it. I had to give her a lot of reassurance that she is capable, as her impulsivity and negativity gets in the way. She called me today and was excited that she feels she is able to handle basic procedures. I feel it will be helpful in regard to her cognitive issues and self-confidence.