To clarify, it's the messages I write and send from my laptop that can't be seen from other devices.

what folder are the set to be saved in in account settings > copies and folders?

Thanks for the response (which I just saw). They're being saved to "Sent folder on [my email address]," and there's a little icon of an envelope with a lock next to it. There's another option to save them to "Sent on [my email address]," next to an icon of a flying paper airplane, but when I tried that, I kept getting password error messages, even though I put in the right password.

I'm thinking of trying the workaround someone else mentioned, where I just BCC every message to myself.

I would select the following in 'Copies & Folders' to ensure you are using correct 'Sent' folder.

• select: Place a copy in
• Select 'Other' and choose the correct mail account and then the 'Sent' folder which has the flying paper airplane

re: I kept getting password error messages, even though I put in the right password.

I'm wondering if you are actually sending from the correct account. The Write window may have the correct 'FROM' email address, but are you using the correct smtp server for that email address ? It would explain why no emails are in Sent on server and also why password fails.

Check the Account Settings to see what SMTP server the account is using:

• In 'Account Settings'
• In LEFT pane - scroll to the bottom and below 'Local Folders' - click on 'Outgoing server (SMTP)'

It will show you a list of all your outgoing smtp servers. There should one for each email address.

• Select each in turn until you find the one where the 'User Name' = the account email address that has problem.
• click on 'Edit'
• In 'Description' field - type the email address = the User name.

The 'User Name' should already be the full email address.

• click on OK

What if you cannot find a smtp in the list that has UserName = account email address ?

• You need to create it - click on 'Add'

• In 'Description' field - type the email address
• Outgoing (SMTP) Server Name: mail.sonic.net
• Port: 465
• Connection Security: SSL/TLS
• Authentication Method: Normal Password
• 'User Name' type full email address.

Now check the account is using that smtp server.

• In LEFT Pane - select the name of the mail account.
• Look over to the right side and bottom - you will see 'Outgoing Server (SMTP)'

This is where you editing the Description field now helps.

• Do you see the text saying the email address of the same account?
• If no, click on the drop down to see other options and select the one with email address that matches the account name.

DO NOT click on the 'Edit SMTP_Server' button as you might end up editing the wrong one.

Restart Thunderbird.

Thank you so much for this info. Because of your tips, I did some more investigating, and realized the problem may actually be with the email setup I'm using on my desktop, and not with Thunderbird. I'm checking with the provider, and will post here once I figure it out, in case it's helpful for anyone else.