Gmail to DomainsFoundry Email Migration Guide

This guide explains how to migrate your Gmail messages into your DomainsFoundry IMAP mailbox. The process involves exporting your Gmail data using Google Takeout, and then importing that data into your DomainsFoundry account with the help of an email client (Mozilla Thunderbird).

By following this step-by-step guide, you will:

  • Download a complete copy of your Gmail mailbox in MBOX format.
  • Import the exported data into Thunderbird using a simple add-on.
  • Transfer your emails directly into your DomainsFoundry IMAP account, where they will be accessible through DomainsFoundry Webmail and any other connected email clients.

This method ensures that your emails are securely backed up and remain available under your own domain, without depending on Google’s services. It’s suitable for both full Gmail migrations and selective transfers (such as moving only certain labels or folders).

1. Export Gmail Data with Google Takeout

  1. Go to Google Takeout.
  2. Under “Select data to include”, click Deselect all.
  3. Scroll down and tick only “Mail”.
    • You can choose “All Mail data included” if you want everything, or select specific labels/folders.
  4. Click Next step.
  5. Under Delivery method, choose Download link via email.
  6. Set Export once and keep the format as .zip.
  7. Click Create export.
    • Google will prepare your archive (this may take hours if your mailbox is large).
  8. Once ready, download the archive to your computer.
    • Inside the .zip you’ll find a file like All mail Including Spam and Trash.mbox. This is your email archive in MBOX format.

2. Convert or Prepare the MBOX File (Optional)

  • MBOX is not directly supported by DomainsFoundry Webmail’s import tools. You need to convert it to EML or import it with an email client such as Thunderbird.
  • The easiest method is to use Mozilla Thunderbird (free, Windows/Mac/Linux).

3. Install Thunderbird and Add Accounts

  1. Download Thunderbird from thunderbird.net.
  2. Add your DomainsFoundry IMAP account:
    • Open Thunderbird → Account Settings → Add Mail Account.
    • Enter your name, DomainsFoundry email, and password.
    • Thunderbird should auto-detect IMAP settings.
    • If not, use:
      • IMAP server: mail.yourdomain.com (replace yourdomain.com with your own domain name)
      • Port: 993 (SSL/TLS)
      • Username: full email address
      • SMTP: mail.yourdomain.com, Port 465 (SSL) (again, replace yourdomain.com with your own domain name)

4. Import Gmail MBOX into Thunderbird

  1. In Thunderbird, install the ImportExportTools NG add-on:
    • Menu → Add-ons and Themes → search for “ImportExportTools NG” → Install.
  2. Right-click Local Folders → ImportExportTools NG → Import mbox file.
  3. Choose Import directly one or more mbox files.
  4. Select your downloaded Gmail .mbox file.
    • Your Gmail emails will appear under Local Folders in Thunderbird.

5. Copy Emails to DomainsFoundry IMAP

  1. In Thunderbird, open the folder containing the imported Gmail emails.
  2. Select all emails (Ctrl+A / Cmd+A).
  3. Drag or copy them into your DomainsFoundry IMAP Inbox (or another folder).
    • Thunderbird will sync them to your DomainsFoundry server.
    • This may take time depending on the mailbox size and your internet connection.

6. Verify in DomainsFoundry Webmail

  1. Log in to DomainsFoundry Webmail (https://login-webmail.domainsfoundry.co.uk).
  2. Check that the migrated emails appear in your IMAP folders.

Notes & Tips

  • If you have a large Gmail account (tens of GBs), it’s best to import in smaller batches to avoid Thunderbird timeouts.
  • Keep the MBOX backup safe in case you need to retry or migrate again.
  • Filters, labels, and Gmail categories won’t fully carry over – they’ll just appear as folders if you exported them by label.