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Migrate any IMAP-based mailbox to MailSprout

This is the catch-all guide for any mail host that exposes IMAP: Fastmail, ProtonMail Bridge, cPanel/Webmail (Bluehost, HostGator, SiteGround, DreamHost), GoDaddy email, Rackspace, mxroute, Migadu, or anything else. If your provider has IMAP, this works.

Before you start

  • Your sign-in for the old provider, including 2FA / app-password access if applicable.
  • A MailSprout account already created with the same address (create it in the dashboard).
  • Your domain's MX records currently pointed at the old provider. We change them last.
1

Find your provider's IMAP host

Search your provider's help docs for “IMAP settings”. Most are:

  • Fastmail: imap.fastmail.com port 993
  • cPanel / Bluehost / HostGator: typically mail.yourdomain.com port 993
  • GoDaddy email (legacy): imap.secureserver.net port 993
  • Rackspace Email: secure.emailsrvr.com port 993
  • mxroute: the hostname they assigned at signup, port 993
  • ProtonMail: requires the ProtonMail Bridge app running locally (port 1143). Only works with locally-run imapsync, not the hosted UI. Email us if you want help with that path.

If your provider isn't listed, search <provider name> IMAP server. Almost every IMAP provider has a one-pager with the host, port, and authentication requirements.

2

Get IMAP credentials

Some providers accept your regular password. Many require an app-specific password, especially if you have 2FA enabled:

  • Fastmail: Settings → Privacy & Security → App passwords.
  • GoDaddy email: regular email password works.
  • cPanel: the password you set when creating the mailbox in cPanel.
  • Rackspace: the mailbox password set in the Rackspace control panel.
  • Anything 2FA-enabled with no app password: disable 2FA temporarily, run the migration, re-enable. Not ideal; use app passwords if your provider supports them.
3

Create the destination account in MailSprout

In your MailSprout dashboard, open the relevant domain and click Add account. Type the same name (the bit before the @) you have at the source. Go to the account page in your MailSprout dashboard. In the Bring over old emailsection, you'll find the destination server credentials you need.

MailSprout shows you a strong password once. Save it.

4

Run the migration with imapsync

Go to imapsync.lamiral.info/X/ (opens in a new tab) and fill in your credentials.

Source (your old provider)

  • Host: from Step 1 (e.g. imap.fastmail.com)
  • Port: 993 (SSL). Confirm in provider docs.
  • User: your full email at the old provider
  • Password: from Step 2

Destination (MailSprout)

  • Host: fusion.mxrouting.net
  • Port: 993 (SSL)
  • User: the same email address
  • Password: the MailSprout password from Step 3

Click Start. The runtime depends on inbox size and your provider's IMAP performance. Most run in 20-60 minutes per 10k messages.

5

Verify the migration looks right

Scan the MailSprout QR code on the account page, install the profile on your iPhone, and confirm in Apple Mail that all your folders and messages from the old provider are present. Do this beforechanging DNS. There's no rush yet.

6

Cut over MX records

Open your registrar DNS panel and remove the old provider's MX records. Add fusion.mxrouting.net (priority 10) and fusion-relay.mxrouting.net (priority 20), plus the SPF/DKIM/DMARC records from the MailSprout dashboard.

cPanel / shared hosting often has the MX records inside the same dashboard as the mailbox. Removing the mailbox can wipe the MX records along with it; make sure to add the MailSprout MX records before deleting the old mailbox at the provider.
7

Run imapsync one more time

About an hour after the MX change, re-run imapsync with the same credentials. Catches mail that landed at the old provider during DNS propagation.

8

Close or downgrade your old subscription

Wait at least a week. Re-run imapsync once more if anything stray turned up. Then close or downgrade the old account.

Troubleshooting

My provider uses port 143 or 25 or some other non-993 port.
Use whatever port the provider documents. 993 is the de-facto standard for IMAP-over-SSL but some hosts only expose plain IMAP on 143 (with STARTTLS) or legacy ports. imapsync supports all of them.
I don't know my old provider's IMAP host.
Search the provider's docs for “IMAP”. Or look at your current Apple Mail or Outlook account settings (the IMAP server is shown there). If you still can't find it, email support@mailsprout.iowith the provider name; we'll dig it up.
Provider blocks IMAP entirely.
Some providers (mostly enterprise Exchange / Google Workspace tenants under strict admin policy) shut IMAP off. The administrator has to enable it for the mailbox before migration is possible. Or use the provider's native export tool (.mbox, .eml dump) and re-import on the MailSprout side. Email us for that path.

Set up your domain first

GoDaddy→

The #1 registrar by market share. Most small businesses start here.

Namecheap→

Popular among indie founders and developers.

Cloudflare→

Power-user favorite. DNS panel is the cleanest in the business.

Porkbun→

Indie-hacker darling. Fast, cheap, fair pricing.

Squarespace Domains→

Includes former Google Domains customers who got migrated here.

Hover→

Long-time favorite of founders and writers.

Stuck on a step?

Email support@mailsprout.io with the step number and a screenshot. We reply same day.