How to Migrate IMAP Email to New Server?
Published: November 13th, 2025 • 10 Min Read
Understanding IMAP Email to New Server Migration
IMAP(Internet Message Access Protocol) is an email protocol used by most email clients to let the user access, receive, and read emails in their Mailbox. IMAP ensures changes like moving, deleting, and read/ unread status are synced everywhere.
It simply manages the communication between server and the mailbox (regardless of the access email client).
The scope of IMAP Email Migration to New Server is extensive, and beginners may find IMAP email migration to a new server quite intimidating.
An IMAP email can mean any generic / hosted IMAP, like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc, for an individual user. Or it can also be a custom domain-based IMAP for a company like [email protected].
You can migrate IMAP email to new server (which can be an Exchange server, HTTPS server, or another custom IMAP server) with expert methodology.
Why Migrate IMAP Email to New Server?
There can be several situations where users need to move IMAP email to new host. We have listed some of them below:
- Maybe a user is switching to a better email hosting service provider, offering more features and security.
- Users might migrate IMAP to new server to get faster loading time, more storage space or improved email management.
- To resolve downtime issues or poor service quality on the old server.
- A new server may offer users enhanced spam filters, strong encryption, and modern security protocols to protect users’ sensitive data.
- The current server may charge high fees for upgraded features, and migrating can help in reducing costs.
Prerequisite to Move IMAP Emails to New Host
Here are some important things to consider and be prepared with before you migrate IMAP email to new server:
- Backup Your Existing Email Data
- Verify IMAP Compatibility on the New Host: Without IMAP compatibility, the free methodology will not work.
- Server Information for Both Hosts: Server address, Port Numbers, and Authentication Password.
- Ensure that you have enough storage space in the new destination server.
- DNS Planning: Have a proper plan & time line for when you will update DNS records, specifically MX record.
- Create new email accounts in the destination server identical to the old IMAP server.
How to Migrate IMAP Email to New Server?
Before you actually start to transfer email between an IMAP server and a new host, it is important to choose the right migration method.
To move old IMAP emails to the new server, you can either go for a manual, cost-free route, for which you can take advantage of an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird, or go for direct hosting Migration.
However, using an industry-recommended specialized tool to move old IMAP emails to new server can guarantee a complete and quick migration with folder structure, formatting, and read/ unread status retained.
#1 Migrate IMAP to New Server Using Email Client
Relying on an email client like Outlook or Thunderbird is a cost-free, quick, and reliable way to migrate IMAP email to new server. It is most suitable for smaller mailboxes and offers you better controls to selectively move old IMAP emails to the new server.
Here are the exact steps you need to follow for transferring email from one IMAP server to a new server/ host
- First, open the email client on your PC and click on the Hamburger menu button.
- Next, select the New Account option and choose the Email option from the list.
- Then, enter the credentials for the source email server you are migrating from.
- After that, repeat the same steps as mentioned above to add the destination email host.
- Now, your both source and destination servers’ email profiles are configured in Thunderbird.
- Finally, drag and drop the folder from the source email profile to the destination and wait for IMAP sync.
Drawbacks of Email Clients For Email Server Migration
- Time Consuming
- Need to individually migrate IMAP email to new server
- Restricted to only IMAP-compatible email servers
- Technically challenging & intimidating for beginners
- Risk of data loss to moving IMAP email to a new host
- Highly manual & labor-intensive
#2 Migrate IMAP Email to New Server Using Hosting Panel
Most email server has a built-in migration tool or admin consoles helping users transfer IMAP email to a new host seamlessly.
Effective Across the Following Scenarios:
- Businesses or users with custom domains
- When switching hosting providers
- If you have access to Admin/Email Account Credentials.
Note: Ensure that you have already created the identical email accounts in the destination server. Have domain name, email accounts, and IMAP settings (server address, ports, usernames) ready for both the source and the destination account.
Here is a step-by-step guide to transfer email between an IMAP server and a new host using hosting panel’s in-built migration tool:
- Open the “Log In” Interface of destination hosting panel.
- In the hosting panel, look for options like Email Migration, IMAP Migration, or Transfer Tool.
- Inside the built-in hosting migration tool, you will need to enter the server details of the source accounts from where the tool needs to fetch the email data.
- Now you will be required to map the mailboxes to migrate IMAP email to new server.
- Finally, start the IMAP to New Server migration.
Limitations of the Hosting Panel Method
Though having a built-in migration tool in hosting panel is an advantage as it makes the process easier. This method to move IMAP emails from old to New host is not universal has its pitfalls:
- Not all email servers have a built-in migration tool.
- Both old and new servers must be compatible and follow IMAP protocol.
- Using in-built tool can be intimidating to migrate IMAP email to new server , as it is a technically complex process.
- Users often face authentication issues and failed transfers.
- Lacks the option to selectively move old IMAP emails to new host.
Migrate IMAP Email to New Server: Using Specialized Tool
Users can choose BitRecover IMAP Backup Software to transfer IMAP email to new host flawlessly. This advanced utility is supported by a range of saving options. Users can directly migrate IMAP to Office 365, Gmail, PST, EML, Google Workspace, and many more. Additionally, the expert solution to move IMAP email to new host comes with several filter options based on date range, subject, from, to, folders, etc.
How to Migrate IMAP Email to New Server? Working Steps
- First, download the recommended utility on your local desktop.
- Next, follow the on-screen instructions to install the utility.
- Then, enter IMAP server credentials within the tool console to migrate IMAP email to new server.
- After that, enable the email folder needs to be migrated to a new host.
- Then, choose the destination server from the drop-down list, whether it is IMAP or POP3.
- Now, go to the filter options and choose them according to your needs.
- Finally, enter the destination server details and start IMAP to new server migration process.
Which Approach is Better to Migrate IMAP Email to New Server? Free or Pro
| Criteria | Free (Email client Technique) | Pro (Expert Utility) |
| Ease of Use | Complex due to lots of technicalities. | Easy to use with self-explanatory UI/UX. |
| Filter Options | Not available | Several Filter Settings |
| Risk of Data Loss | High | Low |
| Recommended For | Individuals with technical knowledge | Businesses and non-technical users |
| Technical Support | Limited to forum and web communities | 24 X 7 live support |
| Time Efficiency | Slow due to manual steps | Fast, completely automatic process. |
Post IMAP to New Server Migration Checklist
After you have moved old IMAP emails to new server, here are some important tasks to always take into consideration.
- Update the DNS (MX Records) to ensure all the new incoming emails land in the correct mailbox.
- The DNS change process can take up to 24–48 hours.
- Verify that all folders, including Inbox, Sent, Drafts, and All Mail, are transferred properly.
- The time frame to migrate IMAP to New Server depends on the mailbox size, internet speed, and server.
- You will need to separately set up contacts and calendars, as IMAP is a specific protocol for managing emails.
To Wrap Up
The above blog on how to migrate IMAP email to new server. We have discussed proven techniques to move IMAP email to new server. At the start of the blog, we discovered the free manual technique to move IMAP email to a new host using Thunderbird, along with its prerequisites and working tutorial.
However, the free approach comes with its limitations, so we have discussed the expert methodology to transfer IMAP email to a new host along with its step-by-step guide. Lastly, we have seen the comparison table of both the manual and Automated approaches based on a few aspects.
If you need any support to migrate IMAP email to new server feel free to reach out to our expert team. through the live chat section.
FAQs: Migrate IMAP Email to New Server
Q1: How to migrate IMAP email to new host for free?
Use proven manual options, like email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird, or use the in-built migration tool offered by some hosting services. More technically inclined users can even extract .zip files for emails from the File Manager of the old IMAP server and upload them to the new server. For professional IMAP email to New Server migration on Mac and Windows, use BitRecover’s advanced utility.
Q2: Will I lose my emails if I migrate to another email provider?
No, if you properly move your IMAP emails to new server using this expert guide on IMAP email to new server migration, you will not lose your emails even after a hosting change.
Q3: How long does IMAP email server migration take?
Time taken to move old IMAP emails to a new server manually, depending on mailbox size, internet speed, and chosen migration method. However, the DNS record update can take 24-48 hours.
Check our other helpful guides explaining how to migrate IMAP to new servers like Google Workspace, Office 365, and other IMAP platforms.