G-Suite to SmarterMail Migration

Migrating from Google Workspace (G Suite) to SmarterMail involves several steps to ensure that emails, contacts, calendars, and other data are moved safely without data loss or downtime. Below is a step-by-step guide for G Suite to SmarterMail migration:

1. Pre-Migration Planning

Before starting the migration, make sure to:

  • Take a full backup of all emails, contacts, and calendars from G Suite using Google Takeout or another backup tool.

  • Set up all user accounts in SmarterMail that exist in G Suite.

  • Check the domain and DNS settings to ensure proper routing after migration.

  • Decide on the migration tool/method (SmarterMail's built-in migration tool or IMAP-based migration).

2. SmarterMail Setup

  • Install and configure SmarterMail on your server.

  • Create user accounts, mailboxes, and aliases that match your G Suite users.

  • Set up SSL certificates if needed for secure communication.

  • Verify that SMTP, IMAP, and POP3 are properly configured.

3. Data Migration Approaches

Option 1: SmarterMail Mailbox Migration Tool

SmarterMail has a built-in "Mailbox Migration" tool:

  1. Log in to SmarterMail as the user (or as admin).

  2. Go to Settings → Connectivity → Mailbox Migration.

  3. Choose Gmail/G Suite as the source.

  4. Enter the user's Gmail login credentials (use an app password if 2FA is enabled).

  5. Select what you want to migrate (emails, contacts, calendars).

  6. Start migration.

This is user-based; each user has to migrate their data individually or with admin assistance.

Option 2: IMAP Migration

  1. Enable IMAP in Gmail for each user:

    • Go to Settings → Forwarding and POP/IMAP → Enable IMAP.

  2. In SmarterMail, go to:

    • Settings → Domain Settings → Accounts → Import Mailbox.

  3. Provide Gmail server details:

    • IMAP Server: imap.gmail.com

    • Port: 993 (SSL enabled)

  4. Enter the Gmail username and password.

  5. Begin the migration.

Option 3: Third-Party Migration Tools

If you need a bulk migration for multiple accounts, use tools like:

  • IMAPSync (open-source)

  • Transend Migrator

  • MigrationWiz (paid) These allow admin-level bulk migration, which is faster and easier for many users.

4. DNS & MX Records Update

  • Once emails are migrated, change the MX records from Google to point to the SmarterMail server.

  • Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for email authentication.

Example MX record for SmarterMail:

Priority: 10
Mail server: mail.yourdomain.com

5. Post-Migration Tasks

  • Test incoming/outgoing mail.

  • Verify migrated emails, contacts, and calendar entries.

  • Decommission G Suite mail services after confirming migration.

  • Inform users about the new login credentials and email client setup.

6. Email Client Configuration

Provide users with the IMAP/SMTP settings for SmarterMail:

  • IMAP Server: mail.yourdomain.com (Port 993 SSL)

  • SMTP Server: mail.yourdomain.com (Port 465 SSL)

REFERENCES

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