ProtoMail is an email service that is built around Privacy. Not only the emails are encrypted, but they are also transmitted in encrypted format between our servers and user devices. That said, if you want to use ProtonMail using a third-party client such as Outlook, Apple Mail, and others, then you will have to use the ProtonMail Bridge software to communicate. In this post, we will share how you can integrate ProtonMail with your email client.
Integrate ProtonMail with your email client
Once installed on your computer, the software will connect with the client. After that, any email you send will be encrypted using the secure implementations of AES, RSA, and OpenPGP. Follow these three significant steps to configure it right away.
- Download and Install ProtonMail Bridge
- Add Proton Mail Account to Bridge
- Configure the client to send and receive Proton Emails
The third step varies based on the client. Follow the added link to find the right configuration of the client.
1] Download and Install ProtonMail Bridge
Visit the download page and download the client according to your Operating System. Right now, it is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The Bridge works with Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail email clients. It uses IMAP/SMTP to encrypt emails with the said email client.
2] Add Account to Bridge
Launch the Bridge, and follow the wizard to add your ProtonMail account to the Bridge. Proton Email is a paid service, but it offers free accounts with some limitations. It includes 500 MB of storage and 150 messages per day. If that works for you, or if you want to try before you get into the higher plan, sign with them
Once you complete the signup and log in, the Bridge uses combined address mode as the default address. This means that emails from all of your Proton email addresses will be sent and received together in the same mailbox. However, you can split the message using the settings available for each email.
Next, it will offer you credentials to configure Preoton email with the email client (Thunderbird, Outlook, etc.). It is similar to how we had a Gmail account using IMAP.
3] Configure the client to send and receive Proton Emails
The last step is to make the email client, and ProtonMail talk to each other. The configuration is different for each client, and you will have to follow the guide available at this link. As an example, here are the steps to configure in Microsoft Outlook. You will have to provide details such as IMAP, Password, Certificate, Account settings, and more. You will be able to test the setup as well.
Make sure the bridge service keeps running in the background, without which email cannot be sent from the client. It’s good to see that finally, there is a bridge available for services like this, as many people depend on email clients to manage all their emails. Along with this, you will also get the benefits of the Outlook client.
I hope the guide was easy to follow and that you could install, configure, and integrate ProtonMail with your email client.
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