• Use a free add-on called TbSync to sync your Thunderbird calendars with various online services and create a backup of your calendars automatically.
• Step-by-step instructions for installing and configuring TbSync, as well as how to access and edit your calendars in Thunderbird.

Thunderbird is a popular email client that also offers a Calendar feature. You can use the Thunderbird calendar to manage your events, tasks, and reminders. However, if you want to keep your calendar data safe and secure, you need to back it up regularly. In this article, I will show you how to back up Thunderbird calendars automatically using a free add-on called TbSync.

The Problem

The problem is that Thunderbird does not have a built-in option to back up your calendars automatically. You can manually export your calendars as .ics files, but this can be tedious and time-consuming. Moreover, if you forget to do this regularly, you may lose some important data in case of a crash, corruption, or deletion.

Fortunately, there is a workaround that involves using a third-party add-on called TbSync. TbSync is a synchronization framework that allows you to sync your Thunderbird data with various online services, such as Google Calendar, Outlook.com, Nextcloud, and more. By using TbSync, you can create a backup of your Thunderbird calendars on an online service of your choice, and have it updated automatically whenever you make changes to your calendars in Thunderbird.

The Solution

To back up Thunderbird calendars automatically using TbSync, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download and install TbSync from here. You will also need to install the provider add-on for the online service that you want to use for backup. For example, if you want to use Google Calendar, you will need to install the Provider for CalDAV & CardDAV add-on from here.

Step 2: Restart Thunderbird and go to Tools > Add-on Options > TbSync.

Step 3: Click on Account Actions and select Add new account.

Step 4: Choose the provider that matches the online service that you want to use for backup. For example, if you want to use Google Calendar, choose CalDAV & CardDAV.

Step 5: Enter your account name, username, and password for the online service and click Next.

Step 6: Wait for TbSync to discover your calendars on the online service and select the ones that you want to sync with Thunderbird. Click Next.

Step 7: Wait for TbSync to sync your calendars between Thunderbird and the online service. You can check the sync status and progress in the TbSync manager window.

Step 8: To configure the sync settings, such as the sync interval and direction, click on the account name in the TbSync manager window and then click on Edit account settings.

Step 9: To view or edit your calendars in Thunderbird, go to Events and Tasks > Calendar.

Now you have backed up your Thunderbird calendars automatically using TbSync. Whenever you make changes to your calendars in Thunderbird, they will be synced with the online service in the background. You can also access your calendars from any device or browser that supports the online service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to backing up Thunderbird calendars automatically using TbSync:

Question: How can I restore my Thunderbird calendars from the backup?

Answer: To restore your Thunderbird calendars from the backup, you need to follow the same steps as above, but choose the opposite sync direction in step 8. For example, if you want to restore your calendars from Google Calendar to Thunderbird, choose Google -> TB in the Sync settings.

Question: How can I exclude some calendars from syncing with TbSync?

Answer: To exclude some calendars from syncing with TbSync, you need to uncheck them in step 6. Alternatively, you can go to the account settings in step 8 and uncheck them under Folder configuration.

Question: How can I delete a TbSync account or disable TbSync completely?

Answer: To delete a TbSync account, go to Tools > Add-on Options > TbSync and click on Account Actions > Delete account. To disable TbSync completely, go to Tools > Add-ons and disable or remove TbSync and its provider add-ons.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author is not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions in this article. Always backup your data before making any changes to your Thunderbird settings or add-ons. Use this solution at your own risk.