Migrate email to GARMTECH Business Email using IMAP (copy folders and messages)

If you are moving from another email provider to GARMTECH Business Email, you may want to transfer your existing mail history (folders and messages) to the new mailbox.

The most reliable “do it yourself” method is an IMAP copy.

Before you start

• Make sure you can log in to both mailboxes: the old provider and the new GARMTECH mailbox.
• Plan a migration window. Large mailboxes can take hours (or longer) to copy via IMAP.
• Keep the old mailbox active until you confirm all important folders are copied.

Method A (recommended): copy via a desktop email client

You can use Thunderbird, Outlook, or another IMAP-capable client as a “bridge”. The idea is simple: add both accounts, then drag folders/messages from old to new.

1) Add the old mailbox (IMAP)

• Configure your old mailbox in the client using IMAP settings from the old provider.

2) Add the new GARMTECH mailbox (IMAP)

Use your GARMTECH service server hostname and IMAP‑SSL:

• IMAP server: SERVER_HOSTNAME
• Port: 993 (SSL/TLS)
• Username: full email address
• Password: mailbox password

3) Copy folders and messages

• Create the same folder structure in the new mailbox (if needed).
• Drag & drop folders or messages from the old account to the new account.
• Wait until the client finishes uploading (do not close the app during the copy).

4) Repeat (delta sync)

If the migration takes a long time, do a second pass later to copy new messages that arrived during the first run.

Method B (advanced): IMAP migration tools

Advanced users can use tools like imapsync to copy mailboxes server-to-server. This is faster for large mailboxes but requires a computer/server environment where you can run the tool securely.

Switch incoming mail (MX records)

When you are ready to start receiving new email on GARMTECH Business Email:

• Update the domain’s MX records to point to the new service (see My.GARMTECH service details).
• Check/adjust SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records if needed.

Tip: keep the old mailbox accessible for a few days after MX switch, just in case something needs to be re-copied.