Free tool
Email migration planner
Choose where your email lives now. Get the credentials, import, DNS, verification, and shutdown steps in the right order.
Choose your current provider
Pick the source that holds your mail today. The plan will use the import method that provider supports.
Connect a mailbox
Use a secure IMAP or OAuth connection to copy mail directly.
Upload an export
Use this when the provider supplies mailbox files instead of IMAP access.
Why DNS comes before mailbox creation
Shipmail cannot create a mailbox until your domain is verified. Verification requires you to publish Shipmail's MX, SPF, and DKIM records. The MX change sends new mail to Shipmail.
After verification, Shipmail holds incoming mail for up to 48 hours while you create the first mailbox or alias. That held mail is then delivered. Import the old mailbox afterwards, and keep the source service active until the import and live mail checks pass.
A provider-owned address such as gmail.com or outlook.com is different. You cannot change that provider's MX records. Set up a new custom domain on Shipmail, forward the old address when possible, and keep it as a fallback.
What the mailbox import moves
The import copies email and supported folder or label structure into the new mailbox. Contacts come along too: upload a .vcf file during the import, or connect with Microsoft sign-in and Outlook contacts import automatically. Calendars, filtering rules, signatures, and account settings need separate handling.
Large mailboxes take longer. Provider download limits, export preparation, upload speed, and message count can all extend the elapsed time without adding hands-on work.
Will changing MX records move my old email?
No. MX records only decide where new mail is delivered. Run the mailbox import to copy messages that already exist at the old provider.
Should I cancel the old provider after changing DNS?
For a custom domain, wait until the import finishes, incoming and outgoing test messages work, and DNS checks pass. If the old address uses a provider-owned domain such as gmail.com or outlook.com, keep it as a fallback instead of deleting it.
Does the import move contacts and calendars?
Contacts, yes. Upload a .vcf file from any provider during the import, or use Microsoft sign-in and Outlook contacts come over automatically. Calendars need a separate export.
Can I use my normal mailbox password?
It depends on the provider. Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, iCloud, Fastmail, Zoho, and several others require an app or device password. Microsoft uses OAuth sign-in. The plan shows the right method.
Email, newsletters and booking pages on your own domain, in one plan.
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