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Kernel Migration for IMAP

IMAP migration tool for secure IMAP to IMAP migration

Direct email, attachment, and folder migration between multiple IMAP accounts with the IMAP migration tool. Secure email transfer between Gmail, iCloud, Zoho, AOL, Outlook, and other IMAP-enabled accounts or servers while keeping the original metadata and folder hierarchy intact. Perform requirement-specific migration with date and folder filters on Windows and Mac.

Available:

For Windows

For Mac

Download the trial version and migrate 10 items per folder for free.

From single-user setups to large-scale enterprise any-to-any IMAP migrations.
Transfer emails with all key attributes (From, To, date, subject, etc.)
Migrate all the attachments attached to the email in their original file format.
All IMAP folders (native and user-created) are migrated with the folder structure preserved.
Select emails by date range and filter out deleted and empty folders.
Add and migrate multiple IMAP accounts with real-time migration monitoring.
Re-run IMAP migrations without creating duplicates using delta sync.
IMAP migrator tool for both Windows and Mac operating systems.

What's new in Kernel Migration for IMAP

v24.2

Optimized tool performance for bulk IMAP mailbox migration.
Improved the tool’s handling of special UNICODE characters.
Move emails faster, whether it’s 1 account or 1000+ accounts with multi-threading.
Redesigned the user interface to reduce setup time for migration.

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What is IMAP Migration?

An IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) migration is a direct server-to-server email transfer. The IMAP-enabled accounts use the IMAP protocol to establish a secure connection and move emails, attachments, and folders to other IMAP accounts. Several cloud environments rely on this data migration architecture to extract data from the source and move it to the destination IMAP server. However, during IMAP transfer, not every mailbox item is migrated. Read the table below to find out what is included in the IMAP migration and what is not.

What Gets Migrated	What Does Not Migrate
Emails with complete metadata (To, From, Subject, Dates, read/unread status, etc.)	Contacts and Calendar items (user must export & import them separately)
Attachments (all file items attached to the email along with embedded images)	Tasks and Notes (must be recreated manually in the destination)
Folder hierarchy (complete source folder hierarchy is recreated in destination)	User-created server-side rules and filters.

When to Use the IMAP Migration Tool?

Company Mergers

When company A buys company B, a merger happens. This triggers the need to migrate all the employee emails to the email server used by company A. In such a situation, administrators rely on a professional IMAP to IMAP migration tool to migrate employee data.

Switching Email Server

An organization expanding from a small team to a large-scale enterprise often shifts to a centralized workspace environment like Zoho Mail, Google Workspace, or Microsoft Office suite. Our universal IMAP migration tool allows businesses to migrate from any IMAP server to modern-day cloud office suite environments.

Employee Offboarding

Digital data is crucial and mandatory to maintain under data compliance laws. When an employee leaves the organization, their data is archived on an isolated server. In such scenarios, our tool offers user-level mailbox extraction to select and migrate data of specific employees and stay compliant with laws.

How toMigrate IMAP Emails?

Follow the steps given below to perform the email migration from one IMAP account to another or between the same IMAP accounts.

Select IMAP server:Add the source and destination IMAP accounts using required credentials. Map the mailboxes:Map the source mailboxes with the destination mailboxes. Migrate mailboxes:Apply filters (if needed) and start the IMAP to IMAP migration.

Select the IMAP account by providing required credentials.

Map the selected source account with correct destination.

Apply filters and start IMAP to IMAP migration

Key Features of IMAP Migration Tool

Explore the list of features present in the IMAP to IMAP migration tool that help with email and folder-level migration.

Any to Any IMAP migration

Connect and transfer emails between any two IMAP-enabled servers or web-based email clients. Each data item is migrated directly from the source account to the destination account along with the subfolders.

Migrate with folder hierarchy

Use the IMAP mail migration tool to transfer all mailbox folders (such as Inbox, Drafts, Sent Items, Deleted Items, or custom folders) between IMAP accounts. The IMAP migrator tool migrates the mailbox data while keeping the source folder structure.

Concurrent IMAP migration

Migrate multiple user accounts across different or same IMAP servers. The tool can handle concurrent connections to different sources & destinations and intelligently manages the data transfer without losing a single email.

Universal IMAP Migrator

Our tool supports all the IMAP-enabled servers. Move data between self-hosted Linux environments (Dovecot, Zimbra, etc.), shared web hosting (cPanel, GoDaddy, etc.), or centralized cloud environments (GWS, O365, Zoho Mail, etc.)

Filters for selective migration

Control data migration with date and folder filters. Include/exclude specific folders or migrate emails that you sent/received between two specific dates. Additionally, users get direct options to exclude deleted and empty folders.

Setup migration with a CSV file

Skip manually adding user IMAP accounts one by one. Import a CSV file containing server name, email address, and passwords of multiple IMAP accounts and add them all in one go. Similarly, import a CSV file with user mapping details for instant mailbox mapping.

Flexible migration

Transfer all the user mailboxes in a single operation to execute a cutover migration. Alternatively, create batches of users and migrate them using a phased migration technique. Finally, run an incremental sync to catch any new emails.

No email duplication

The IMAP migrator tool can move emails between IMAP accounts as many times as needed without creating duplicate items. Use the option Skip Previously Migrated Items to exclude the emails that were migrated in the initial migration.

Live preview of migration

The IMAP migrator tool shows live migration status for each mailbox along with the transfer process of all the nested folders in that mailbox. Additionally, the tool displays a real-time update of emails migrated from each folder.

No mailbox size restrictions

Migrate user mailboxes of any size. Whether it is a 1 GB mailbox or a 100 GB mailbox, our IMAP migration software will migrate it. Additionally, our tool also supports large email migration as per the destination IMAP account’s email size limits.

IMAP to O365 migration

Migrate mailboxes from IMAP to Office 365 and Exchange Server. Our IMAP migration tool allows direct migration of emails and folders from any IMAP server to any Office 365 account (user mailboxes, archive mailboxes, or public folders).

Migrate IMAP to Google Workspace

Switch from a standard IMAP account to a modern workspace environment. Migrate IMAP server to Google Workspace with our IMAP to IMAP migration tool. Transfer emails directly to user mailboxes or Groups of your GWS account.

Benefits of IMAP to IMAP Migration Tool

The Kernel IMAP migration tool does not just migrate emails but also offers multiple benefits to users to help them with a safe and quick migration.

Data security At Kernel, we value your data. Our IMAP migration software performs direct source-to-destination migration. Not a single bit of your information is retained on our servers.

Migrate nested folders Transfer 1000+ user-defined folders with subfolders. Our tool deeply scans the source folder structure and moves all of them to the destination IMAP account.

Metadata preserved Every email, attachment, and folder is migrated with its metadata intact. Attachments will retain their name and format. The folders will be transferred with the original folder names.

Smart migration The tool comes with a time-out feature. It allows skipping large email items that slow down migration. Users can run a delta migration later to migrate all the skipped large-size emails.

No Data Modification Emails and folders in the destination stay as it is. The IMAP migration software does not modify already present data; it only adds new data items.

Compatible with Windows and MAC Our IMAP transfer tool is compatible with Windows and Mac OS. When downloading the tool, select the tool’s version as per the operating system.

IMAP Migration Tool – Free vs Licensed Version Comparison

See the feature-wise difference in the free and licensed versions of IMAP migration software.

Software Features	Free Version	Licensed Version
Any to Any IMAP Migration	Yes	Yes
Filters for Selective Migration	Yes	Yes
Preserve Email Read/Unread Status	Yes	Yes
Exclude Deleted Items and Empty Folder	Yes	Yes
Avoid Creating Duplicate Data	Yes	Yes
Bulk IMAP Account Migration	Yes (with item limits)	Yes
How Many Emails Can a User Migrate?	Only 10 items per folder	Unlimited
	Free Download	Purchase Now

Why the Kernel IMAP Migration Tool Is Better Than Manual Email Transfer?

Review the advantages of using our IMAP migration tool to migrate emails over the native methods.

Parameter	Via Email Clients like Outlook	Web-based Native Cloud Admin Tools	Kernel Migration for IMAP
Availability	High, works for all IMAP-enabled servers	Low to moderate. Not every email provider has this option.	High, works for all IMAP-enabled servers.
Multiple IMAP Account Migration	Can only move emails between 2 accounts at a time.	Supported, but some servers require running complex scripts.	Add and migrate multiple IMAP accounts in a single operation.
Risk of Duplicates	High chance of creating duplicates.	Offers partial protection with filters.	Smart incremental migration feature to prevent duplicates.
User Friendly	Very easy to use, simple copy and paste operation.	Complicated setup for non-technical users.	Simple to moderate in terms of accessibility.
Preserve Folder Structure	Requires manual effort to retain folder structure.	Yes. But struggles with deep nested folders	Yes, complete folder and sub-folder hierarchy is retained.

Frequently Asked Questions About IMAP Email Migration Tool

What is the process for connecting the IMAP server to the tool and how to migrate the emails?

Follow these steps to set up IMAP accounts and perform email migration.

Step 1: Open the IMAP migration software and select the option IMAP to IMAP.
Step 2: Click the Add button in the source pane, provide the account details, and click Add.
Step 3: After connecting to the source, click Add in the destination pane and add the target IMAP account.
Step 4: Map the source user mailboxes with destination user mailboxes.
Step 5: Apply the filters and click Start migration.
Step 6: The IMAP transfer tool will start email migration.

Can I connect two different kinds of IMAP servers in the source and migrate them together?

Yes, you can connect to different IMAP accounts in the source and also in the destination to perform IMAP to IMAP migration.

I have moved all the emails from my Yahoo account to Gmail. Where will the new emails go?

The IMAP migration tool only moves data. It does not modify any source server settings. You will keep receiving emails as usual in both the source and destination accounts.

I have 100+ empty folders in the source. Can the tool skip them?

The IMAP migration tool allows you to skip the empty folders from IMAP email migration. When applying filters, select the Exclude Empty Folders option to automatically skip any folder that has zero items.

I migrated the data from my account six months back. If I run the migration now, will it migrate the older items too?

You can exclude previously transferred emails by choosing the option of Skip Previously Migrated Items. This will configure the tool to only migrate new emails to the destination account.

Can I use this IMAP migration software to migrate from an IMAP account to Gmail?

Yes, the IMAP to IMAP migration tool supports migrating from IMAP to Gmail or any other IMAP-enabled email server.

Is it possible to skip migrating the folder that only contains the deleted emails?

Yes. There is a dedicated option for that. When setting up the filters, mark the checkbox “Exclude Deleted Folders.” This will make sure that no deleted item folders are migrated.

Can this IMAP migration tool transfer my contacts along with emails?

IMAP migration only supports migrating emails and folders. When you want to migrate contacts, you must export them separately. Later, after email migration, manually import them to the destination server.

What mailbox items are included in the IMAP migration?

The IMAP protocol only supports migrating emails, attachments, and folders. Other data items like contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, etc., are not migrated.

What will happen to my Outlook folder structure when migrating to Gmail?

Gmail uses labels and not folders. So, your folder hierarchy will be preserved with labels. During the Outlook to Gmail migration, the source folder structure will be created in destination. But, in place of folders, you will get labels.

If the migration stops midway, can I restart it without creating duplicate data?

Yes, you can restart a migration without worrying about creating duplicate emails. Our IMAP migration software comes with an incremental migration option. Select it when setting up the migration to only transfer new data and skip all the previously migrated items.

How to minimize the IMAP-to-IMAP migration time?

Try these tricks to reduce the migration time:

Before migration, delete any obsolete data.
Move large emails to a separate folder and migrate them later.
Perform the mailbox transfer when the server load is lowest.

How to generate an App password for a Google Workspace account?

First, you should enable the 2-step verification for your account. Then, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Sign into Gmail and go to ‘Security’.
Step 2: Choose ‘2-step verification’ under ‘signing in to Google.
Step 3: Choose ‘App passwords’ at the bottom of the page.
Step 4: Input the name of the application as it will help you in recognizing the app password for that password. Click Generate.
Step 5: Follow the remaining instructions and the app password will be a 16-character code. Copy it.
Step 5: Click Done.

Where can I find Client ID and Tenant ID for a Microsoft Office Account?

While performing IMAP to M365 IMAP migration, when you proceed with the modern authentication, the tool will ask to provide Tenant ID, Client ID, and Client Secret value. Here’s how can you locate it:

Step 1: Login to Azure portal and then go to App Registrations
Step 2: Click on All Applications and find the app whose Tenant and Client ID you’re looking for.
Step 3: Select the Overview tab, here on the right panel of the window, you will find the ID’s for modern authentication.
Step 4: Now, in the App Registration, click on Certificates & Secrets from the left pane and then you can find the Client Secret.

If there is no existing Client Secret, you can generate a new one specifying its description and duration after which it’ll expire. Once you get these credentials, enter them into the tool’s interface and proceed with the o365 IMAP migration.

What is the difference between port numbers 993 and 995?

The port number 993 is used for the IMAP protocol. While the other one, 995, is used for POP3 accounts.

IMAP Migration Software Prerequisites & recommendations

About The Software

Version: 24.2

Release Date: July 2024

License Type: As per no. of mailboxes

Version Support

Office 365 (Microsoft 365): All plans, including Office 365 (Microsoft 365) Enterprise E1, E3, E5 & Exchange Online Plan 1, 2, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Office 365 A1, Office 365 A3, Office 365 A5, Office 365 F1, and Office 365 Business Essentials.

Google Workspace: All plans and subscriptions for Google Workspace, Business, Enterprise, Essentials, Frontline, Individual, and Education.

IMAP Email Server: All IMAP servers, including Gmail, Microsoft Exchange Server, Zimbra, Dovecot, Courier Mail, Outlook/Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, Proton Mail, Bluehost, GMX Mail, Yandex Mail, FastMail, Mail.ru, Apple Mail Server, iCloud Mail, AOL Mail, Cyrus IMAP, MailEnable, hMailServer, Mail-in-a-Box, Apache James, Citadel, Kolab Groupware, MDaemon Email Server, Modoboa, Zentyal, Zoho Mail, Company IMAP Account, etc.