Transfer a domain to Upkyo

Transferring a domain means changing registrar, the company that manages its registration with the extension's registry. The domain stays in your name, and its expiry date is extended. This guide is for people whose domain is registered elsewhere and who want to bring it to Upkyo, alongside their website and email.

Before you start

• The domain must have been registered or transferred more than 60 days ago.
• It must not be expired or under dispute.
• You need access to the domain owner's email address.
• Write down your current DNS records (website, MX, SPF, DKIM…). You will need them to avoid any downtime.

At your current registrar

1. Unlock the domain (transfer lock disabled).
2. Request the transfer code, also called EPP code or authorization code.
3. Check that the owner's email address is up to date: a confirmation may be sent to it.

At Upkyo

1. Open Transfer a domain and enter the domain.
2. Paste the transfer code.
3. Place your order: the transfer includes one year of renewal.
4. Confirm the transfer if an approval email arrives at the owner's address.
5. Follow its status in Domains. The transfer usually takes a few days.

How do you avoid website and email downtime?

During the transfer, the domain keeps working with its current name servers. Downtime usually happens when people switch name servers before recreating the zone.

• Before the transfer, export or copy your DNS zone at the old registrar.
• At Upkyo, recreate the same records in the domain's zone, or import them with Import / Export (BIND or CSV format), see Edit your DNS records.
• Only then, switch the domain to Upkyo's name servers.
• Check the result with Propagation, see Why is my DNS change not visible yet?.

If your old registrar also hosted your email, make sure your mailboxes exist at Upkyo before changing the MX records, see Bring over your old emails.

What is an EPP code?

The EPP code (or authorization code, "auth code") is a password specific to the domain. It proves you are allowed to transfer it. It is generated by your current registrar, often in the domain's settings, sometimes on request from their support.

Copy it exactly: it often contains upper case, lower case and special characters. A single mistake and the transfer is rejected.

Why can a transfer fail?

• The domain is still locked: the transfer lock must be disabled at the old registrar.
• Wrong or expired EPP code: request a new code and paste it without spaces.
• Less than 60 days since registration or the last transfer: wait until that period is over.
• Expired domain: renew it first at the old registrar.
• Approval not confirmed: check the owner's mailbox, including spam.
• Privacy protection: at some registrars it hides the owner's address and blocks the approval email. Turn it off for the duration of the transfer.

If the transfer stays stuck, open a ticket at /submitticket.php giving the domain name.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a domain transfer take?

A transfer usually takes a few days. The delay depends on the extension and on how quickly the old registrar releases the domain. You can follow its status in Domains.

Do I lose the time left on my domain?

No. The transfer includes one year of renewal, which is usually added to the domain's current expiry date.

Will my website go down during the transfer?

Not if you leave the name servers alone until your DNS zone has been recreated at Upkyo. The transfer itself does not change your DNS.

Where do I find my domain's transfer code?

At your current registrar, on the domain's management page. It may be called EPP code, authorization code, auth code or transfer code.

Can I transfer a domain I just bought?

No, you have to wait 60 days after registration or the last transfer. This rule applies to most extensions.