Transferring a domain to a new registrar sounds intimidating, but it really isn’t. The core process involves unlocking your domain, grabbing an authorization code, and plugging it into IONOS.
The whole thing can be done in under 15 minutes of actual hands-on work, with the rest being waiting time.
I’ve walked through this process myself, and I’ll cover every step, including the parts IONOS doesn’t highlight on their landing page, like what happens to your email, your DNS records, and your remaining registration time.
Why Transfer Your Domain to IONOS?
Before jumping into the how, it’s worth understanding what you actually gain by moving your domain to IONOS. A domain transfer changes the tools, support, and extras tied to your domain.
Here’s what IONOS brings to the table:
- Free domain transfers with no hidden fees. IONOS doesn’t charge a transfer fee. You only pay for the first year of renewal, and any time left on your current registration carries over. So if you have two years remaining with your old registrar and transfer to IONOS with a one-year renewal, you end up with three years total.
- Free Wildcard SSL certificate. Every domain registered or transferred to IONOS includes an SSL Starter Wildcard certificate at no extra cost. This covers your main domain and all subdomains under a single certificate.
- Personal consultant. IONOS assigns every customer a dedicated personal consultant who’s available by phone, chat, or email. This is genuinely useful during a transfer if anything goes sideways.
- Domain Connect support. IONOS supports Domain Connect, which simplifies DNS configuration for common third-party services. Instead of manually editing DNS records, compatible services can configure themselves automatically.
- DNSSEC support and domain transfer lock. Standard security features that protect your domain from unauthorized transfers and DNS hijacking.
- Competitive renewal pricing. IONOS domain renewals are generally in the $10 to $100/year range, depending on the TLD, which is competitive with most major registrars.
The registration time carryover is the standout perk here. Many registrars effectively make you “lose” your remaining registration period, but IONOS adds it on top of whatever you purchase during the transfer.
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Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Don’t skip this section. Most failed domain transfers happen because one of these prerequisites wasn’t met. Get these sorted before you touch anything in the IONOS dashboard.
1. Your Domain Must Be at Least 60 Days Old
ICANN (the organization that governs domain registrations) requires that domains with generic top-level domains like .com, .net, .org, .biz, and .info be registered for at least 60 days before they can be transferred. This applies to new top-level domains like .online and .photo as well.
If you recently registered your domain or changed the registrant (ownership) information, you’ll need to wait out the 60-day window. There’s no workaround for this.
2. Your Domain Must Be Unlocked
Most registrars lock domains by default to prevent unauthorized transfers. You need to disable this transfer lock before initiating anything.
The exact steps vary by registrar, but you’ll typically find this setting under “Domain Settings,” “Security,” or “Transfer Lock” in your current registrar’s control panel.
3. Disable Private Registration (WHOIS Privacy)
If you have WHOIS privacy enabled on your domain, you need to turn it off before transferring.
Private registration masks your contact details in the public WHOIS database, which can interfere with the transfer verification process. You can re-enable privacy protection on IONOS after the transfer is complete.
4. Verify Your Contact Information
Make sure the admin email address associated with your domain’s WHOIS record is current and accessible. Transfer confirmation emails will be sent to this address. If the email is outdated, update it with your current registrar and allow 24 to 48 hours for the changes to propagate before initiating the transfer.
5. Back Up Your Website, Databases, and Emails
This is the step people most frequently overlook. A domain transfer moves the domain registration only. It does not automatically migrate your website files, databases, email accounts, or subdomains. Before initiating the transfer:
- Download your website files via FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager
- Export your databases (MySQL, MSSQL, etc.)
- Back up your email accounts if they’re tied to the domain
- Note down your current DNS settings and any subdomains you’ve configured
6. Get Your Authorization Code (EPP Code)
The authorization code, also called an EPP code or transfer key, is a unique password that proves you’re authorized to transfer the domain. Request this from your current registrar. Most registrars display it in the domain management section of their control panel, though some send it via email.
Keep this code safe. You’ll enter it during the IONOS transfer process.
How to Transfer a Domain to IONOS: Step-by-Step
With the prerequisites handled, the actual transfer process is straightforward. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you’re already an IONOS customer or signing up for the first time.
For New IONOS Customers
Step 1: Go to the IONOS Domain Transfer Page
Visit the IONOS website and hover over Domains & SSL in the top navigation bar. In the dropdown menu, scroll down to the Transfer Service section and click Domain Transfer. This takes you to IONOS’s dedicated domain transfer page.
Step 2: Enter Your Domain Name
On the Domain Transfer page, type your full domain name into the search field and click the Check button. IONOS will verify whether the domain is registered and eligible for transfer.
Step 3: Click “Move now!” to Start the Transfer
After the check, IONOS will confirm that the domain is taken (meaning it’s registered elsewhere, which is expected). On the right side of that notification, you’ll see the prompt “Do you own the domain?” with a Move now! link. Click it to begin the transfer process.
Step 4: Enter Your Authorization Code
A pop-up window (Step 1 of 2) will appear titled “Move [yourdomain.com].” Enter the authorization code you obtained from your current registrar in the Authorization Code field and click Continue.
If you don’t have the code handy yet, click Enter authorization code later to add it through your IONOS control panel after creating your account.
Step 4: Choose Your Nameserver Settings
This is an important decision. IONOS gives you two options:
- Option 1 (Recommended): Switch to IONOS nameservers. Choose this if you plan to use IONOS for both your domain and hosting. Your DNS settings will automatically be configured for IONOS services after the transfer completes.
- Option 2: Keep your current nameservers. Choose this if you want to keep your domain pointed at an existing hosting provider or if you manage DNS externally. This avoids any interruption to your live website during the transfer.
If your website is already hosted elsewhere and you just want to move the domain registration, go with Option 2. You can always change nameservers later.
Step 5: Create Your IONOS Account and Complete the Order
Follow the prompts to set up your IONOS account, review the order summary, accept the terms and conditions, and finalize the transfer. You’ll receive a confirmation email with details about your transfer status.
For Existing IONOS Customers
Step 1: Log in to Your IONOS Account
Go to your IONOS dashboard and navigate to the Domains section.
Step 2: Click “Transfer Domain to IONOS”
Select the contract you want to associate the transferred domain with. This could be a contract that already contains other domains or one where you have an available included domain slot.
Step 3: Enter the Domain and Authorization Code
In the IONOS Shop, enter your domain name and click Transfer. Then enter the authorization code in the Authorization section.
Step 4: Select Nameserver Settings
Same two options as above: switch to IONOS nameservers or keep your current settings.
Step 5: Confirm and Complete
Verify that you’re authorized to initiate the transfer, review your order, and click Buy Now. IONOS will send confirmation emails with transfer progress updates.
How Long Does a Domain Transfer to IONOS Take?
The timeline depends on your domain extension:
- Generic TLDs (.com, .net, .org, .biz, .info): Up to 5 to 6 business days
- New TLDs (.online, .photo, .web): Up to 5 to 6 business days
- DNS propagation: An additional 24 to 48 hours after the transfer completes
If all prerequisites are met and there are no issues with the authorization code, expect the entire process to wrap up within roughly one week. You can track the progress of your transfer in the Domains section of your IONOS control panel.
What Happens to Your Website, Email, and DNS After the Transfer
This is where a lot of guides drop the ball. The domain transfer moves the registration. It does not move:
- Your website files. If your site was hosted with your previous registrar, you’ll need to migrate the files to IONOS (or your new host) separately. Use FTP to upload files to your new webspace.
- Your databases. Export them from your old host and import them using phpMyAdmin or a similar tool at IONOS.
- Your email accounts. Email addresses tied to the domain will not carry over. After the transfer, create the same email addresses on IONOS and recover any archived emails. IONOS includes a free 2GB email inbox with every domain.
- Your subdomains. These get deleted during the transfer. Write them down beforehand, along with their DNS settings, so you can recreate them with IONOS.
- Your DNS records. If you chose to keep your existing nameservers, your DNS records remain untouched. If you switched to IONOS nameservers, you’ll need to reconfigure your DNS records in the IONOS control panel.
If you’re running a WordPress site, IONOS has specific documentation on migrating WordPress installations that covers the CMS-specific steps.
Troubleshooting Common Domain Transfer Issues
Even with careful preparation, things can occasionally go wrong. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.
Transfer Rejected: Invalid Authorization Code
Double-check that you’ve entered the code exactly as provided. Authorization codes are case-sensitive and often contain special characters. Copy and paste the code rather than typing it manually. If the code has expired, request a new one from your current registrar.
Transfer Stuck or Delayed
Some registrars have a five-day window to approve or reject outgoing transfers. If your old registrar hasn’t responded, the transfer may be in a pending state. Check your email (including spam folders) for any approval requests from your old registrar. You can also contact their support team to manually approve the transfer.
Domain Still Locked
If you unlocked the domain but the transfer still fails with a “locked” error, wait a few hours. Some registrars take time to propagate the unlock status. If it persists after 24 hours, contact your current registrar.
WHOIS Contact Email Not Receiving Verification
Ensure that private registration is disabled and that the admin email address in your WHOIS record is correct and active. Some registrars take 24 to 48 hours to update contact details, so plan for this delay.
Website Downtime After Transfer
If your website goes down after the transfer, it’s almost certainly a DNS issue. If you switched nameservers to IONOS, make sure your DNS records (A records, CNAME records, MX records for email) are properly configured in the IONOS control panel. DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate globally.
Tips for a Smooth Domain Transfer
Based on real transfer experiences, here are some practical tips that go beyond the official documentation:
- Start the transfer well before your current registration expires. Give yourself at least 45 days of buffer. Transferring a domain that’s about to expire introduces unnecessary risk.
- Point your nameservers before transferring (if changing hosts). If you’ve already migrated your website to a new host, update your nameservers to point to the new host before initiating the domain transfer. You can’t change nameservers while a transfer is in progress.
- Don’t make other domain changes during the transfer. Avoid updating WHOIS information, changing DNS records, or modifying privacy settings while the transfer is processing.
- Keep your old hosting account active until the transfer completes. Don’t cancel your old account prematurely. Wait until the transfer is confirmed and your website is running properly on the new setup.
- Use IONOS support if you get stuck. IONOS provides 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email, plus the personal consultant assigned to your account. Domain transfers are one of the most common support requests, so their team is well-equipped to help.
Domain Transfer vs. DNS Transfer: Know the Difference
A quick but important distinction that trips up many first-timers:
A domain transfer moves your domain registration from one registrar to another. After the transfer, IONOS handles your domain billing, renewal, and management.
A DNS transfer (or nameserver change) simply points your domain’s DNS records to a different provider’s servers. You can change nameservers without transferring the domain registration at all.
If you only want to host your website with IONOS but keep your domain registered elsewhere, you don’t need a full domain transfer. Just update your nameservers at your current registrar to point to IONOS. Conversely, if you want IONOS to manage everything, including billing and renewal, a full domain transfer is the way to go.
Choosing the right domain registrar matters. If you’re evaluating IONOS alongside other providers, check out our IONOS review for a detailed breakdown of their hosting and domain services. For more options, explore our list of the best web hosting providers.
