Automatically open Proton Mail Bridge on startup

The default setting in Proton Mail Bridge is to automatically start when you turn on your computer. We enable this by default because Bridge has to be running in the background for your email client to be able to connect to your Proton Mail account.

To turn this setting on or off, open Bridge, go to Settings, and toggle the Open on startup switch off or on.

How to troubleshoot Bridge not opening on startup

If your Proton Mail Bridge is not automatically opening when you start your computer, this guide will help you troubleshoot the issue.

1. Disable/Enable ‘Open on Startup’

Open Proton Mail Bridge, go to Settings → Open on Startup. If it is enabled, disable it, restart Proton Mail Bridge, and then re-enable the option. This will re-generate the autostart shortcut and can resolve the issue in some cases.

Note that to fully quit Bridge, you’ll need to click on the three dots and then use the Quit Bridge option.

2. If you are using Windows, make sure Bridge is enabled under Startup Apps

Open the start menu by pressing the Windows key, and search for Task Manager. Once you’ve opened Task Manager, choose the Startup tab and find Proton Mail Bridge. Make sure it is set to Enabled.

If you’ve tried the suggestions and are still facing an issue with startup on Bridge, you can contact our support team and include the logs from Proton Mail Bridge.

We have a guide on how to report a bug from Bridge here.

How to update permissions on macOS

1. Open Finder and go to the macOS menu bar → Go → Go to Folder… Enter the ~/Library/LaunchAgents and hit <return>.

2. Right-click on Proton Mail Bridge.plist → Get info.

3. Go to Sharing & Permissions and ensure you (and your administrator, if this is a different person) have Read & Write privileges.

4. If they don’t, click the lock icon and confirm your identity using your macOS username and password or biometric authentication. Now click on the privileges next your name (and your administrator’s if relevant) and select Read & Write.

How to update permissions in Windows

1. Open Explorer, ensure View tab → Hidden items is enabled, and navigate to /Users/<username>/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs.

Alternatively, open Run (Windows + X), enter shell:startup, and click OK.

2. Right-click on Proton Mail Bridge → Properties.

2. Select your Windows username and ensure you have both Read and Write permissions. (This means that there’s a check mark next to them in the Allow column, and the Deny column is empty.)

3. If you don’t, click Edit… and check the boxes next to Read and Write.