If you've been using Google Workspace for your business email and want to switch to a ZIPROF-hosted professional email account, you need to set up your new mailbox, move your existing messages over, and update your domain's MX records so new mail arrives in the right place. Here's how to do it without losing anything.
Before you start
Plan to do this migration over a day or two, not a few minutes. You'll keep both your Google Workspace mailbox and your new ZIPROF mailbox active at the same time until the switch is complete, so nothing gets lost while DNS changes take effect.
Don't cancel your Google Workspace subscription until you've confirmed your new ZIPROF mailbox is receiving mail correctly and you've copied over everything you need. Once you cancel, your old messages may become inaccessible.
Step 1: Create your new email account on ZIPROF hosting
Set up a mailbox with the same address (for example [email protected]) on your ZIPROF hosting account, so the switch is seamless for anyone emailing you.
In cPanel
- Log in to cPanel and open Email Accounts.
- Click Create, enter the username and a strong password, and set a mailbox quota.
- Click Create again to finish.
In DirectAdmin
- Log in to DirectAdmin and open E-Mail Accounts.
- Click Create Mail Account, enter the username, password, and quota.
- Click Create to save it.
Step 2: Copy your old messages across
The simplest way to move existing mail is to connect both mailboxes in a desktop email client (such as Outlook or Thunderbird) using IMAP, then drag your messages from the Google Workspace folders into the matching folders on your new ZIPROF account. For large mailboxes, do this in batches by folder or date so the transfer doesn't time out.
If you only need recent mail rather than your full archive, you can skip this step and simply keep your Google Workspace account accessible for reference.
Step 3: Update your MX records to point to ZIPROF
Once your new mailbox is ready and tested, update your domain's MX records so new incoming mail is delivered to ZIPROF instead of Google Workspace.
- Log in to wherever your domain's DNS is managed (your ZIPROF client area if ZIPROF manages your DNS, or wherever your domain's DNS is hosted).
- Remove the existing Google Workspace MX records.
- Add the MX records for ZIPROF email hosting.
For the exact records to use, see how to point your domain's MX records to ZIPROF email hosting.
MX record changes can take a few hours to fully propagate. During this window, some new mail may still arrive at your old Google Workspace inbox, so check both mailboxes until propagation is complete.
Step 4: Update SPF, DKIM, and your mail client settings
After switching MX records, update your domain's SPF record to authorize ZIPROF's mail servers instead of Google's, and set up DKIM signing for your new mailbox so your outgoing mail doesn't get flagged as spam. Finally, reconfigure your email on any phone, tablet, or desktop client to use your new mailbox's incoming and outgoing server settings.
Step 5: Confirm everything is working, then cancel Google Workspace
Send and receive a few test messages, check that your old mail history came across correctly, and confirm your SPF and DKIM checks pass. Once you're satisfied, you can cancel your Google Workspace subscription.