Understanding Email Migration

Unlike website files, email migration requires special care because emails are stored inside server mailboxes. If you only point nameservers without copying mailbox data, you may LOSE emails permanently.

⚠️ Many people assume domain transfer automatically moves emails. It does NOT.

Migration Approach Options

• IMAP Sync (recommended): syncs emails from server to server
• Manual export from mail client: use Outlook to archive & restore
• Webmail download: slow, not recommended

Step 1: Create Email Accounts on Nairahost First

Before copying emails, recreate all email addresses on your new hosting exactly as they exist on your previous host.

1. Login to cPanel
2. Go to Email Accounts
3. Click Create
4. Use the same username and password as old account if possible

Step 2: Copy Emails Automatically Using IMAP Sync

IMAP sync allows you to copy mail from: Old Server ⟶ Nairahost cPanel mailboxes

To use IMAP Sync you can:

• Request support to perform migration
• Use free tools like imapsync online
• Run imapsync locally via command line (advanced)

What you need:

Old email: info@yourdomain.com
Old IMAP server: mail.oldhost.com
Old IMAP port: 993
New IMAP server: mail.yourdomain.com
New IMAP port: 993
    

Step 3: Manual Email Transfer via Outlook (Alternative)

1. Add your old email account to Outlook using IMAP
2. Add your NEW Nairahost email account in Outlook
3. Drag and drop emails from old inbox → new inbox

Step 4: Update DNS & MX Records

Once emails are copied, update DNS so NEW mail goes to your new hosting.

Nameservers:

• cPanel: ns1.nairahost.cloud / ns2.nairahost.cloud
• DirectAdmin: ns1.nairahost.com.ng / ns2.nairahost.com.ng

DNS MX:

Priority: 0
Mail server: mail.yourdomain.com
    

Step 5: Test Email

• Login to yourdomain.com/webmail
• Send a test email to Gmail
• Reply from Gmail
• Confirm send + receive