cirrux

Switch from Microsoft

This guide covers moving to Cirrux from Outlook.com, Hotmail, Live.com, or Microsoft 365. Native Microsoft sync – the equivalent of our Google integration – is on the way. Until it lands, you can bring your mail across with an IMAP import and keep your Microsoft account active throughout the transition.

Before you start

We recommend using your own domain (like you@yourdomain.com) rather than an @outlook.com or @hotmail.com address. This gives you full control over your email and makes future migrations seamless. If you don't have a domain yet, you can register one through any domain registrar.

Migration steps

1

Create your mailbox in Cirrux

Start by creating the mailbox you need in Cirrux. Go to Settings → Workspace → Mailboxes and create a mailbox for the address you want to use.

Each mailbox has its own app password for connecting email clients and import tools.

2

Generate an app password in Microsoft

If your Microsoft account uses two-step verification (it should), you’ll need an app password for IMAP access. Sign in at account.microsoft.com/security, open Advanced security options, and create a new app password under App passwords. Keep it handy – you’ll paste it into Cirrux in the next step.

Microsoft 365 (work / school) accounts may have IMAP disabled by your admin. If you can’t enable it yourself, ask whoever manages the tenant to turn it on for your mailbox.

3

Run the IMAP import

In Cirrux, go to Settings → Sync & Import and start an IMAP import with these settings:

  • Server: outlook.office365.com
  • Port: 993 (SSL/TLS)
  • Username: your full Microsoft email address
  • Password: the app password from step 2

Cirrux discovers your folders and lets you map each one onto a Cirrux label. Inbox, Sent, Drafts, and Archive get mapped automatically. See the IMAP import guide for how re-runs, rate limits, and read/unread state are handled.

4

Export calendars and contacts

Microsoft doesn’t expose calendars and contacts over IMAP, so they need a separate export.

  • Calendars – in Outlook on the web, go to Calendar → Settings → Shared calendars and publish or export each calendar as an .ics file.
  • Contacts – in Outlook on the web, open People → Manage → Export contacts and download a .csv file. Convert to .vcf (vCard) with any free converter, then upload it to Cirrux.
5

Import calendars and contacts into Cirrux

Head over to Settings → Sync & Import and pick the ICS file upload option for your calendars, and pick the VCF file upload option for your contacts.

6

Add your domain

If you're using your own domain, add it to Cirrux. Go to Settings → Workspace → Domains and add your domain.

Cirrux will provide you with the DNS records you need to configure. See our Domains & DNS guide for details on each record.

7

Update your DNS settings

Log in to your domain registrar and update the DNS settings with the records provided by Cirrux. If your domain was previously configured for Microsoft 365, remove Microsoft’s MX, SPF, and DKIM records first so they don’t conflict. You’ll typically add:

  • MX records– to route incoming email to Cirrux
  • SPF record– to authorize Cirrux to send email on your behalf
  • DKIM record– for email authentication
  • DMARC record– for email security policies

DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate, though they often take effect within minutes. We’ll email you when we detect the DNS changes, and your domain will show as Active once the records are verified.

8

Forward mail from Microsoft during the cutover

IMAP import is a one-shot copy, so anything that arrives at your Microsoft address between import runs won’t appear in Cirrux until you run the import again. To avoid missing mail, set up an automatic forward in Outlook on the web: Settings → Mail → Forwarding, then forward to your new Cirrux address.

Keep your Microsoft account active until you’re confident everything is flowing correctly. Cancel your subscription once you’re ready.

You're all set!

Once your domain is active and your imports are complete, you're ready to use Cirrux as your email provider. New mail will arrive in Cirrux, and your imported history is available to search and reference.

Native Microsoft sync – including ongoing one-click updates without app passwords or forwarding rules – is in active development. When it ships, you’ll be able to switch over from your IMAP connection without losing anything you’ve already imported.

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