Proton Mail launches official desktop app

Proton has launched a beta model of the Proton Mail desktop software at the moment. Accessible for Visionary plan subscribers initially, it provides customers of the app entry to Proton Mail and Proton Calendar.

The app is the primary standalone program to entry Mail and Calendar on the desktop. Proton subscribers who wished entry up till now needed to resort to utilizing Proton Mail Bridge for that. It permits customers to entry Proton accounts in standalone e-mail purposes comparable to Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird and others.

The devoted Proton Mail desktop software will make issues simpler for customers, not less than in terms of the configuration half. It’s out there for Home windows and Mac methods initially, however may also be launched for Linux. Proton plans to have a model prepared in early 2024. All Proton Mail customers will achieve entry to the devoted desktop app in early 2024 in line with Proton’s assist web page.

The beta software is a piece in progress. A devoted Proton Mail assist article lists options that aren’t but supported however are deliberate. The app doesn’t assist offline mode at this level, which signifies that emails cannot be accessed whereas offline. In different phrases, you possibly can’t learn or draft emails when you are not related to the Proton server.

Different limitations embrace that mailto hyperlinks and ICS recordsdata will not open within the app, that customers cannot change between accounts simply, and that there is no such thing as a notification badge for unread messages. All of those options (and extra) are deliberate and might be launched sooner or later.

Proton Internet app, desktop app or Mail Bridge

Proton Mail customers have three instruments at their disposal now. The online model of Proton Mail, which they might entry from any trendy net browser. The desktop app, which is in beta and solely out there for Visionary subscribers, and Mail Bridge, which acts as a bridge to make use of Proton Mail in third-party e-mail purchasers.

All three serve totally different functions. Proton Mail customers who use different mail companies and a devoted e-mail program could need to hold utilizing Proton Mail Bridge for that function, because it helps deliver all accounts collectively in a single app.

The desktop app could also be another for customers preferring to make use of a devoted app, particularly if Proton Mail is their on-line e-mail service.

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