Loupe
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Getting started

Loupe is a free, open-source mail app for Android. This page takes you from downloading the app to reading your own mail.

Note: Loupe is in early development. It is used every day by its developer, but expect rough edges. The iOS version is prepared and waits for an Apple Developer account, so for now Loupe is Android only.

Install Loupe on Android

Loupe isn’t in an app store yet. You install it from an APK file, the package format Android apps come in.

  1. On your phone, open loupe.mx/download. It offers the current Nightly build, which is published on GitHub Releases each time the code changes.
  2. Download the file for your device:
    • loupe-<version>-arm64.apk for phones and tablets;
    • loupe-<version>-x86_64.apk for the Android emulator on a computer.
  3. Open the downloaded file. If Android asks, allow your browser or file manager to install unknown apps. On most phones, the prompt has a Settings button that takes you to the right switch; you can turn it off again afterwards.
  4. Tap Install, then Open.

Updating

To update, download and install a newer APK in the same way. Newer builds install over older ones and keep your accounts, mail and settings. Loupe doesn’t update itself.

Tip: Your version number is under Settings › Advanced › About › Version. Include it when you report a problem.

The Welcome screen

The first time you open Loupe, the Welcome screen offers three ways to start:

  • Add Account connects your mail account.
  • Import from Thunderbird copies accounts from Thunderbird on your computer by scanning its “Export for Mobile” QR codes.
  • Try with demo mail opens a made-up mailbox so you can look around first.

Try with demo mail

Demo mail is a complete, made-up mailbox with three accounts, conversations, newsletters, mailing lists, calendar invitations and encrypted messages. It lives only on your phone, and nothing is sent anywhere. It is a safe place to try swipes, search, rules and the reading views.

To leave the demo, open Settings › Advanced and turn off Demo Mode. Loupe goes back to the Welcome screen.

Add your first account

  1. On the Welcome screen, tap Add Account.
  2. Enter your name and email address, then tap Continue. Loupe looks up your provider’s settings.
  3. Enter your password, or the app password your provider asks for, and tap Sign In. For some providers you sign in on their own page instead; see Accounts.
  4. When you see “Your mail is syncing.”, give the account a description (such as Work or Personal) and pick a colour, then tap Done.

Your Inbox fills, newest mail first, and your folders appear. On Android 13 and later, Loupe asks once whether it may show notifications.

If Loupe can’t find your settings, or your provider needs something special (an app password, an API token, Google or Microsoft sign-in), Accounts explains each case.

Find your way around

  • Mailboxes is the first screen: All Inboxes, VIP, Flagged and Unread at the top, then each account’s folders, then your Lists, Smart Mailboxes and Tags.
  • Settings is the gear at the bottom left of Mailboxes. The compose button at the bottom right writes a new message.
  • Search: pull down on any message list to reveal the search field. See Search.
  • Swipe a message to the right to mark it read or unread, and to the left to archive it. You can change both; see Organising mail.
  • Long-press a message for everything else: reply, flag, snooze, tag, move and more.
  • The line at the bottom of Mailboxes and every list says when Loupe last checked for mail, or what went wrong.

Next steps