System tray support on Linux

[filipesaraiva]

Currently Thunderbird supports system tray on Windows - just close the software and an icon will be presented on Windows system tray.

Unfortunately this feature is missing on Linux. In past there were several plugins to do that, like several versions of Minimize-to-tray, however the plugin technology for Thunderbird (and Firefox) has changed over time, and these plugins are no longer supported.

Currently if I want to use this feature on Linux I need install an additional software like systray-x or KDocker, which it is weird.

So, please turn this feature native for Linux too!

[GattaNegra]

+1 I have used this in the past and I miss this so much!

[vytrol]

BetterBird has this functionality already.

[Mooders]

Please do this for Flatpak version as well. PLZZZZZ

[NickAM1025]

Looking forward to this feature!

[LizLee]

will the update provide the following functions:

1. the ability to send thunderbird to the TRAY by clicking the X (close) button WHILE the minimize button behaves traditionally (i.e. minimizes to the TASKBAR).

2. having an option to launch thunderbird straight into the tray without visually opening its window? (especially needed for autostart reasons)

that being asked i still need to point out why the current option, which makes use of the minimize button to send thunderbird to the tray, is a especially bad design decision:

1. the VAST majority of programs offering a send to tray option do this by making use of the X (close) button.

2. i think in most peoples workflow, minimizing a window is used to temporarily put it out of focus in a multi tasking situation. if you send something to the tray it is completely out of focus (like being closed). i guess most people dont want that when clicking minimize.

[albertoendesa]

i agree with you totally

[zakweb3]

@LizLee 

It's unacceptable that in 2025, we're still missing a fundamental feature in Thunderbird on Linux Desktop - a feature that's been long overdue. We've been waiting patiently for 25 years, and it's time for Mozilla devs to prioritize this crucial functionality and make it a reality.

https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/22/mozilla_thunderbird_ffix/