DS Log

In my blog, I delve into the world of programming web technologies, Linux, Unix-like, and graphic design using free tools on Linux.

Monday, January 6, 2025

How to migrate e-mails to new e-mail provider?

Are you considering a switch to a new email provider but worried about losing your valuable emails? Or perhaps you're looking to archive your messages to another account for better organization and accessibility? Transitioning your email can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In this blog, we'll explore effective strategies for keeping your emails intact during a provider change and how to seamlessly archive your messages to ensure they remain accessible whenever you need them. Say goodbye to the stress of email management and hello to a more organized inbox!

First we want IMAP type of e-mail server.

IMAP, or Internet Message Access Protocol, is a standard protocol used by email clients to retrieve and manage email messages from a mail server. Unlike the older POP (Post Office Protocol), which downloads emails to a local device and typically removes them from the server, IMAP allows users to access their emails directly on the server. This means that emails can be organized into folders, marked as read or unread, and managed from multiple devices while keeping everything synchronized.

Thunderbird

To begin the process, the first step is to add both your old and new email accounts to Thunderbird. Once both accounts are set up, navigate to the sidebar where you’ll find your new account listed. Here, you can create a new folder within the "Received Mails" section and name it "Old Received Emails." Next, head over to your old account's "Received Mails" folder. Right-click on the emails you wish to transfer, and select the "Copy To" option. From the list that appears, choose the newly created "Old Received Emails" folder in your new account. This simple action will copy your old emails into your new mailbox, ensuring that all your important messages are preserved and easily accessible in one place. You can turn your gmail account into IMAP and move your archive there.

IMAPSYNC

Imapsync is a command-line tool used for migrating emails between two IMAP servers. It allows users to synchronize email accounts by copying messages from one IMAP account to another while preserving the folder structure, message flags, and other metadata. This tool is particularly useful for individuals or organizations looking to transfer emails when changing email providers or consolidating accounts. There is also GUI version: https://github.com/imap-migrator/imap-sync-gui Terminal example:

./imapsync   \
  --host1 test1.lamiral.info  \
  --user1 test1               \
  --password1  "secret1"      \
  --host2 test2.lamiral.info  \
  --user2 test2               \
  --password2  "secret2"

posted by damirs @ January 06, 2025