When you switch from Hosting Email (mailboxes on your hosting server in Plesk) to GARMTECH Business Email, the goal is to migrate without losing messages.
The migration has three main parts:
- Create the same mailboxes in Business Email
- Copy existing messages and folders (IMAP migration)
- Switch mail delivery by updating DNS MX records
Before you start (recommended)
- List all existing addresses, aliases and forwarders you currently use in Plesk.
- Choose a “switch time” when incoming mail volume is low.
- Optional but helpful: lower your DNS TTL (for MX) 12–24 hours before the switch to make propagation faster.
Step 1 — Order/activate Business Email
Activate your Business Email service in My.GARMTECH. The service details typically show the recommended mail server settings.
Step 2 — Create mailboxes in Business Email
- Create the same email addresses that exist on hosting (for example,
info@yourdomain.tld).
- Set strong passwords (you can change them later).
Step 3 — Copy existing emails (IMAP migration)
The safest way is to keep the old hosting mailbox active and copy messages into the new mailbox using IMAP. Common approaches:
- Use an email client (for example, Thunderbird) with both accounts added and copy folders/messages from old to new.
- Use an IMAP sync tool if you have many large mailboxes (advanced).
Tip: Start the copy before you switch DNS. That way, your new mailbox already contains your historical mail.
Step 4 — Switch DNS MX records
- Find the correct MX records for your Business Email service (in My.GARMTECH service details or your setup instructions).
- Update the domain’s DNS zone:
- Remove old hosting MX records (Plesk mail server).
- Add the new Business Email MX records exactly as provided.
If you use Cloudflare: MX records must be DNS only (not proxied).
Step 5 — Update email applications (IMAP/SMTP)
- Update server hostname, ports and authentication in Outlook/Apple Mail/mobile apps based on your Business Email settings.
- Recommended secure ports are typically:
- IMAP‑SSL: 993
- SMTP‑SSL: 465
Step 6 — Monitor the transition
- Keep hosting mailboxes active for at least 48–72 hours after switching MX records.
- During DNS propagation, some senders may still deliver to the old server for a short time.
- After propagation, run a final IMAP copy to capture any messages that arrived during the transition.
Optional: review SPF/DKIM/DMARC
After moving to Business Email, review your domain’s email authentication records so that outgoing mail is trusted. If you already have SPF/DKIM/DMARC, you may need to adjust them to include the new sending service.
