Email content migration guide via mail client

If you want to transfer the content of your emails from an old server to a new email hosting package at Papaki, you can easily do so by using a mail client (such as Outlook, Thunderbird, or Apple Mail) along with the POP and IMAP protocols.

By following the process described below, you can ensure a smooth and accurate transfer of your emails, and—if you wish—keep a local backup copy of your email data.

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How the process works

The migration is completed in three main stages:

• Downloading emails locally using POP
• Connecting your domain to the new email hosting
• Synchronizing emails to the new server using IMAP

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Step 1: Set up your account using POP

First, you need to set up your email account in a mail client using the POP protocol.

By doing so:

• Your emails are downloaded and stored locally on your device
• A complete local copy of your email data is created

At this stage, it is recommended to use the same password that you will also set for the new email hosting, in order to avoid login issues in the next steps.

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Step 2: Connect your domain to the new Papaki email hosting

Next:

• Associate your domain with a new email hosting package in Papaki
• Update your domain’s DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC) so they point to the new mail server

Specifically:

• MX record (MX):
  mail-gr.securemail.pro.
• SPF record (TXT):
  "v=spf1 a mx include:spf.webapps.net ~all"
• DKIM records (CNAME):
  • Selector: key-paki001._domainkey
    Value: key-paki001._domainkey.securemail.pro.
  • Selector: key-paki002._domainkey
    Value: key-paki002._domainkey.securemail.pro.
• DMARC record (TXT):
  • Selector: _dmarc
  • Value: v=dmarc1; p=none;

This is the default value. You can adjust it according to your needs.

Once these changes are completed, all new incoming emails will be received on the new hosting.

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Step 3: Reconfigure your account using IMAP and synchronize

Once the DNS changes are complete:

1. Return to your mail client
2. Add the same email account again, this time using IMAP
3. Configure the incoming (IMAP) and outgoing (SMTP) servers according to the new hosting
4. Transfer your emails:
   • Move emails between folders using drag & drop, or
   • Import them if you have a backup

Server settings:

• Incoming Mail Server (IMAP):
  mail-gr.securemail.pro
  Port: 993
  Encryption: SSL/TLS
• Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP):
  smtp-gr.securemail.pro
  Port: 465
  Encryption: SSL/TLS

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Result

With this setup:

• Your mail client will synchronize emails stored locally
• Your emails will be uploaded to the new server
• Your account will be fully synchronized with the new hosting environment

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Alternative: Keep a local backup

If you prefer to keep a local backup of your emails:

• You can keep the account configured using POP
• Emails will remain stored only on your device

You can then:

• Export your emails to a file (e.g. PST or MBOX, depending on the mail client)
• Use it as a backup for future reference

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Supported mail clients

You can complete the process using one of the following popular mail clients:

• Microsoft Outlook (Windows / Mac)
• Mozilla Thunderbird
• Apple Mail (macOS / iOS)

You can follow the respective setup guides for each client to complete the configuration.

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Useful tips

• Make sure all your emails have been fully downloaded via POP before removing the account or making changes
• Verify that your DNS records have been properly updated before enabling IMAP
• Always keep a backup before making final changes to avoid any data loss