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
The software which once installed on your computer will connect with the client. Post that, any email you send will be encrypted using the secure implementations of AES, RSA, along with 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. When it comes to email clients, it works with Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail. The Bridge 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 paid service but it offers free accounts with some limitations. It includes 500 MB storage and 150 messages per day. If that works for you, or if you want to try before you get into the higher plan, signup with them
Once the signup is complete, and you log in, the Bridge uses combined address mode as the default address. It means that emails from all of your Proton email addresses will be sent and received together in the same mailbox. However, it is possible to split it 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. Its good to see that finally that 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 you were able to install, configure, and integrate ProtonMail with your email client.
