How to Migrate from Gmail or Google Workspace to Your Own Domain

Moving from a personal Gmail or a pricey Google Workspace plan to email on your own domain is straightforward — and you can bring your old messages with you. Here is the safe way to do it.

7 min read · Updated June 2026

Plan the move

Decide which addresses you need on the new domain, who owns each mailbox, and whether you need to import old mail. Doing this first avoids surprises and downtime.

Set up the new mailboxes

Add your domain to your new provider and configure MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Create the mailboxes you planned. With HavitoMail the DNS wizard verifies each record live so you know it is correct before you switch.

Import your old email

Because professional email uses standard IMAP, you can copy your existing messages across with a free IMAP migration tool (such as imapsync) or by adding both accounts in a desktop client like Thunderbird and dragging folders over.

Run the import before you change MX so nothing is missed.

Switch over and update SPF

When mailboxes and imports are ready, update your MX records to point to the new provider and make sure your SPF record reflects the new sender. New mail now flows to your domain.

Tidy up

  • Update your email signature and address on your website, invoices, and profiles.
  • Set a forward or auto-reply on the old account for a transition period.
  • Cancel the old paid plan once you have confirmed everything works.

Frequently asked questions

Will I lose my old emails when I switch?

No. Using IMAP you can copy all existing messages and folders to the new mailbox before switching, so your history comes with you.

Is there downtime when changing MX records?

There should be none if you create the mailboxes and import mail first, then change MX. Mail sent during propagation is queued and delivered once the change is live.

Can I keep using Outlook or Apple Mail after migrating?

Yes. Standard IMAP/SMTP means your existing apps keep working — you just update the account settings to the new server.

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