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Transfer your domain to miHosting without losing your website

Learn how to transfer your domain, hosting or both to miHosting without losing your website, emails or files during the change.

Published: 22/06/2026Updated: 22/06/2026

Introduction

Transferring a domain or changing hosting can seem complicated, especially if you already have a working website, active email accounts or important databases.

The good news is that, if you follow the correct order, the process can be done safely and without unnecessary interruptions. In this guide, you will see the three most common situations:

Change only the hosting service.
Transfer only the domain registration.
Move both the domain and hosting to miHosting.

This will help you choose the right path depending on what you want us to manage.

Before you start

Before making any changes, review these basic points:

Have access to the provider where your domain or hosting is currently managed.
Make a backup copy of your website files.
Export your databases if your site uses them, for example WordPress, PrestaShop or another CMS.
Review which email accounts you currently have created.
Make sure you can receive emails at the domain’s administrative email address.
If you are going to transfer the domain, request the authorization code, also called the Auth-Code or EPP code.

If you are not sure which services you currently have contracted, check your invoices, your current provider’s client panel or contact support before starting the transfer.

Option 1: transfer only the hosting to miHosting

This option is for you if you want to keep the domain registered where it is now, but host the website and email on miHosting servers.

For example, you can keep the domain managed with your current registrar and use a professional hosting, reseller hosting or email hosting plan with miHosting.

Steps to transfer only the hosting

Make a full backup

Download a copy of all your website files from your current provider.

If your site uses a database, also export it from tools such as phpMyAdmin or from the control panel you have available.

On a WordPress site, for example, you will usually need:
- Website files.
- Database.
- Email accounts, if you are also moving email.
- Special settings such as redirects or cron jobs.
Order your new hosting plan at miHosting

Choose the plan that best fits your project.

If your website receives a lot of visits, uses several email accounts or needs more resources, a higher plan, a VPS or a dedicated server may suit you better.
Access the new hosting panel

Once the service is activated, you will receive the access details for your panel, which may be DirectAdmin, cPanel or another compatible panel depending on the contracted service.

Before changing the DNS, you can access it using the IP address or temporary URL indicated in the service activation.
Create the email accounts before the change

If you use email accounts with your domain, create at miHosting the same accounts you had with your previous provider.

For example:
This helps reduce the risk of losing emails when the domain starts pointing to the new server.
Upload the files and databases to miHosting

Upload your website files using the panel’s file manager or via FTP.

Then import the database and adjust the connection details if your application needs it.

In WordPress, for example, you may need to review the wp-config.php file to confirm that the database name, username, password and server are correct.
Test the website before changing the DNS

Whenever possible, check that the website loads correctly on the new server before making the final change.

Check:
- Home page.
- Contact forms.
- Admin access.
- Images and files.
- SSL certificate.
- Sending and receiving email.
Change the domain DNS

When the website and email are ready at miHosting, log in to the panel where you manage your domain and change the DNS to:
```
ns1.mihosting.com
ns2.mihosting.com
```
Wait for DNS propagation

DNS changes usually start to be noticeable within a few hours, although full propagation can take between 2 and 24 hours. In some specific cases it may take longer, depending on the previous provider, the TTL and the network from which it is checked.

Option 2: transfer only the domain to miHosting

This option is suitable if you already have hosting at miHosting, or if you simply want to centralize domain management, renewal and billing with us.

In this case, you are not necessarily moving the website. You are only changing the registrar that manages the domain.

Steps to transfer only the domain registration

Check that the domain can be transferred

Before starting the transfer, verify that the domain:
- Is not expired.
- Is not locked for transfers.
- Has not been registered or transferred recently.
- Has an active and accessible administrative email address.
Some domains may have temporary restrictions after a recent registration, renewal or transfer.
Unlock the domain at your current provider

Log in to your current registrar’s panel and look for the domain lock option.

The status should appear as Active, Unlocked or similar.

If the domain is locked, the transfer cannot be completed.
Request the EPP code or Auth-Code

The EPP code is an authorization key that allows the domain transfer to another registrar.

You can usually get it from your current provider’s panel or by requesting it from their support team.
Start the transfer from miHosting

From the miHosting website or client area, request the domain transfer and enter the EPP code when the system asks for it.

Make sure you type the domain correctly and without mistakes.
Confirm the authorization email

During the process, you may receive a confirmation email at the address linked to the domain.

It is important to check your inbox, spam or junk mail folder and approve the transfer if requested.

If the request is not confirmed when required, the transfer may be delayed or canceled.
Wait for the transfer to finish

The time may vary depending on the domain extension and the current registrar.

As long as the domain keeps the same DNS, your website and email should continue working as before.

Option 3: transfer both the hosting and the domain to miHosting

This is the most complete option. It is the right fit if you want to centralize your website, email, domain, renewals and technical management at miHosting.

To avoid interruptions, the order is very important: first move the hosting and then transfer the domain.

Steps to transfer hosting and domain

Order the right hosting plan at miHosting

Choose the service that best matches your project.

For a business website, blog or small online store, a professional hosting plan may be enough. For projects with higher usage, multiple websites or advanced needs, you can consider a VPS, dedicated server or reseller hosting.
Copy the website to the new server

Upload the files, import the databases and review your website configuration.

Do not change the DNS yet until you confirm the website is ready at miHosting.
Create the email accounts at miHosting

Create the same email addresses you used before.

This step is key to avoid losing incoming messages when the domain starts resolving to the new server.
Set up the SSL certificate

Make sure the site loads correctly with https://.

If your plan includes SSL or you have a certificate purchased, activate it before considering the change complete.
Change the domain DNS

When everything is ready, change the domain DNS to miHosting’s nameservers:
```
ns1.mihosting.com
ns2.mihosting.com
```
Verify that the website and email work

After the DNS change, check:
- That the website loads from the new hosting.
- That the SSL certificate works.
- That you can send and receive emails.
- That contact forms are arriving correctly.
- That there are no route, image or database errors.
Start the domain transfer

Once the website and email are already working from miHosting, you can transfer the domain registration by following the steps in option 2.

This helps you avoid moving the domain before the new hosting is ready.

Useful tips for a safe move

Always make a backup before you start

Save a copy of your files and databases before changing DNS, transferring the domain or canceling the previous service.

Do not cancel the old hosting too early

Keep the previous service active for a few days after the change. This gives you room to recover files, review email or solve any remaining detail.

Create the email accounts first

If you use professional email with your domain, create the accounts at miHosting before changing the DNS.

Review the TTL if you have access to the DNS zone

TTL indicates how long other servers keep DNS information cached. If you can reduce it before the change, propagation may be faster.

Be careful with custom DNS records

If you use external services such as email platforms, domain verification, marketing tools or cloud services, make sure the required DNS records remain correctly configured.

Do not forget the Auth-Code

To transfer many domains, especially global extensions such as .com or .net, you will need the authorization code.

Review the domain administrative email

Transfer confirmations are usually sent to the email address linked to the domain. If that mailbox does not work or you do not have access to it, the transfer may be delayed.

Frequent mistakes when transferring a domain or hosting

Changing the DNS before uploading the website

If you change the DNS before uploading the files, your domain may point to an empty or incomplete hosting account.

The correct approach is to prepare the website at miHosting first and change the DNS afterwards.

Not creating the email accounts before the change

If the domain starts pointing to the new server and the email accounts do not exist, you may have trouble receiving messages.

Always create the accounts before modifying the DNS.

Transferring the domain before preparing the hosting

When you are moving everything, you should first make sure the website and email are ready. After that, you can transfer the domain registration.

Not checking the SSL

After migrating the website, check that the site loads correctly with HTTPS. A badly configured SSL certificate can show security warnings in the browser.

Frequently asked questions

Can I transfer my domain without moving the website

Yes. You can transfer only the domain registration to miHosting and keep the hosting elsewhere, as long as you preserve the required DNS or records so the website continues to work.

Can I change hosting without transferring the domain

Yes. You can order hosting at miHosting and keep the domain with your current registrar. You will only need to change the DNS or DNS records so they point to the new server.

Will I lose my emails when changing hosting

You should not lose them if you prepare the change correctly. The recommended approach is to create the email accounts at miHosting before modifying the DNS and to make a backup of important emails if you need to preserve the history.

How long does DNS propagation take

It usually takes between 2 and 24 hours, although in some cases it can take longer. During that period, some users may see the website on the previous server and others on the new one.

What is the EPP code or Auth-Code

It is an authorization key that allows a domain to be transferred from one registrar to another. You must request it from your current provider before starting the transfer to miHosting.

Should I cancel my previous provider when I finish

Do not do it immediately. Wait until you confirm that the website, email, SSL and all services are working correctly at miHosting.

If you are moving your project to miHosting, this can be a good moment to review whether your current plan really covers your needs.

Depending on your case, you may consider:

Professional hosting, to host your website with email and a control panel.
Email hosting, if your priority is managing email accounts with your domain.
Reseller hosting, if you manage several websites or clients.
VPS or dedicated servers, if you need more resources, control or performance.
SSL certificates, to protect your website and improve visitor trust.
Domain registration, to centralize renewals and management.
Backups, to keep backup copies available for any unexpected issue.
Web design and maintenance, if you prefer professional help to review or improve your website.

Conclusion

Transferring your domain, hosting or both to miHosting is much easier when you follow the right order.

If you only want to move the hosting, first prepare the website and email at miHosting and then change the DNS. If you only want to move the domain, unlock it, request the EPP code and start the transfer. If you want to move everything, always begin with the hosting and leave the domain transfer for the end.

Before making important changes, keep a backup copy and make sure you have access to the domain’s administrative email.

If you have questions about your specific case, contact the miHosting support team so we can guide you before you start the transfer.