How to Migrate from Hostinger to Office 365?

• 07 November 2025
• Migration
• Written by Justin Greaves

Hostinger is an affordable shared hosting service provider. The service, which began in 2007 as 000webhost.com as a free web hosting service, supports over 29 million users, most of whom use the services for hosting their websites. Many users eventually switch to other hosting services, mainly due to the lack of phone support, and a relatively poorer uptime record. Office 365 comes packed with a range of productivity tools like MS Defender, Power BI, and Stream that help you optimize performance.

While switching to other providers, users often also look for alternate email solutions to the Hostinger webmail service. In this article, we will show how to migrate from Hostinger webmail to Office 365/ Microsoft 365.

Why Migrate from Hostinger to Office 365?

Many businesses begin their digital journey with affordable hosting solutions like Hostinger, which provides a straightforward platform for website and basic email management. However, as a company expands, its needs evolve beyond simple webmail. The decision to migrate from Hostinger to Office 365 is often driven by the limitations of a basic email service and the need for a more powerful, integrated ecosystem for communication and collaboration.

Benefits of Moving from Hostinger Webmail to Microsoft 365

Moving to Microsoft 365 transforms how your business operates. You gain access to a unified suite of applications that work seamlessly together. This shift brings enterprise-grade security, robust communication tools like Microsoft Teams, and familiar desktop applications such as Word and Excel, all accessible from anywhere. Unlike a standalone webmail service, Microsoft 365 provides a centralized platform that supports team-based projects, secure file sharing, and professional workflows, turning your email into a hub for productivity.

Prerequisites for a Smooth Hostinger to Office 365 Migration

A successful migration requires some preparation. Before you begin the process of transferring Hostinger emails to Office 365, addressing these key points will help ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption.

• Gather Hostinger Credentials: Ensure you have the login details for your Hostinger webmail account. You will also need the IMAP and SMTP server settings, which can be found within your hPanel.
• Prepare Office 365 Environment: Purchase and assign the necessary Microsoft 365 licenses to all users. An active license is required to create a mailbox for each person.
• Verify Domain Ownership: If you plan to connect your Hostinger domain to Office 365, verify that you have access to your domain’s DNS settings in hPanel. This is a crucial step for updating MX records later.
• Clean Your Mailbox: Review and archive or delete old, unnecessary emails in your Hostinger account. A smaller mailbox size can significantly speed up the migration process.
• Plan for Downtime: Schedule the migration during a period of low email activity. While the process can often be done with minimal interruption, planning for a brief window where email might be sporadic is a wise precaution.

How to Export Hostinger Webmail to Office 365?

The easiest method to export email from Hostinger webmail to Office 365 is with the Outlook client. Follow the steps below to export emails to Microsoft 365/ Office 365 accounts from Hostinger.

Method 1: Manual Migration Using Outlook

This method is best suited for users migrating a single mailbox. It involves using the Outlook desktop application as a bridge to transfer your data. You will connect both your old and new accounts to Outlook, export your Hostinger data to a file, and then import it into your new Office 365 mailbox.

Step 1: Add Hostinger Email Account to Outlook

• Download and launch Outlook on a Windows machine.
• Click on the Get Started button, and then the File tab in the upper-left corner.
• The Account Information window will open up. Click on +Add Account.
• Provide the Hostinger email information and click on Connect.
• When Outlook directs to the Advanced Options, select the IMAP protocol.
• Provide the details of the incoming and outgoing server available in the Email Accounts section in hPanel, and then click on Next.
• Provide the credentials and click on Next.
• Once the “Account successfully added” message appears, add the details of the Office 365/ Microsoft 365 account in the “Add another email address” box.

Step 2: Export Hostinger Emails as PST Files

Follow the steps below to export email, contacts, and other items from Hostinger webmail and import them into the Microsoft 365/ Office 365 mailbox.

• Click on File at the top of the Outlook ribbon.
• Select the Open & Export option from the menu, and then choose Import/Export.
• Select the “Export to a file” option on the Import and Export wizard, and then click on Next.
• Select the Outlook Data File (.pst) format and then click on Next.
• Ensure that the subfolders are included, and then select a destination to which the PST files should be exported.
• Then follow the same steps to import the items back into the Microsoft 365/ Office 365 mailbox.

Finally, the MX records can be updated in the Microsoft 365 admin center to ensure that all future emails flow to the Exchange Online mailboxes.

Step 3: Import PST Files into Office 365 Mailbox

• In Outlook, navigate to File > Open & Export > Import/Export again.
• This time, select “Import from another program or file” and click Next.
• Choose “Outlook Data File (.pst)” and click Next.
• Click “Browse” to locate and select the PST file you created, then click Next.
• Ensure the destination folder is set to your Office 365 mailbox and click Finish to begin the import.
• Finally, update your domain’s MX records to point to Microsoft 365, which ensures all new emails are delivered directly to your new Office 365 mailboxes.

Method 2: Professional Migration Service

For businesses with multiple mailboxes or those seeking a hands-off approach, the manual method can be time-consuming and technically demanding. This is where a professional service becomes invaluable. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, Apps4Rent offers a streamlined Hostinger to Office 365 migration service.

Our experts manage the entire process, from initial setup to final verification, ensuring a secure and efficient transfer of all your emails, contacts, and calendar data. This approach minimizes downtime and eliminates the technical burden on your staff, providing a smooth and reliable path to Microsoft 365. We also handle more complex scenarios, such as tenant to tenant migrations.

Hostinger to Office 365 Migration – Key Features and Advantages

Using a structured approach or a professional service to migrate from Hostinger to Office 365 offers several distinct advantages over a basic manual transfer, especially for businesses with multiple users.

• Bulk and Selective Migration

  A significant advantage is the ability to handle multiple mailboxes at once. Instead of configuring each account individually in Outlook, professional migration tools can process entire user lists simultaneously. They also provide the flexibility to perform selective migration, allowing you to transfer specific folders or date ranges of emails as needed.

• Data Integrity and Folder Structure Maintenance

  Preserving your data exactly as it was is paramount. A proper migration ensures that all your emails, along with their attachments, contacts, and calendar entries, are transferred completely. Your custom folder hierarchy is meticulously recreated in the new Office 365 mailbox, so you can find everything right where you left it.

• IMAP and Outlook Compatibility

  The migration process leverages the standard IMAP protocol supported by Hostinger webmail, ensuring broad compatibility. This method also works harmoniously with Outlook, making the client a useful tool for both manual migration and post-migration email management.

• Error-Free and Fast Email Transfer

  Professional migration methods are designed for reliability. They minimize the risk of data corruption or loss that can sometimes occur with manual PST file handling. By utilizing optimized data transfer protocols, these methods ensure a faster and more secure email transfer, getting your team up and running on the new system with confidence.

Post-Migration Checklist: Verifying Data in Office 365

Once the migration from Hostinger to Office 365 is complete, a few final checks will confirm its success and help your team settle in.

• Confirm Data Completeness: Log into a few sample Office 365 mailboxes via Outlook on the web. Verify that all expected folders, emails, and contacts have been transferred correctly.
• Test Email Flow: Send test emails to and from your new Office 365 addresses to ensure that sending and receiving functions work properly.
• Reconfigure Email Clients: Update all devices, including desktop Outlook, smartphones, and tablets, with the new Office 365 account settings.
• Update MX Records: To finalize the transition, update your domain’s MX records in your Hostinger DNS settings to point to Microsoft 365. This crucial step ensures all new emails are delivered directly to your Office 365 mailboxes.

Common Challenges During Hostinger to Office 365 Migration

Even with careful planning, you might encounter some hurdles. Being aware of these common issues can help you resolve them quickly. These challenges are common when migrating from various platforms, including Titan email to Office 365 migrations.

• Authentication Failures: Incorrect passwords or IMAP server settings are a frequent cause of connection problems. Double-check these details in your hPanel.
• Slow Migration Speed: Large mailbox sizes or network limitations can slow down the transfer. Migrating during off-peak hours can help alleviate this.
• Missing Emails or Folders: This can sometimes occur if the folder mapping during import is incorrect. Verifying the folder structure post-migration is essential.
• PST File Issues (Manual Method): For manual migrations, PST files can become corrupted or exceed size limits, leading to import failures in the Office 365 admin center. A direct IMAP migration method avoids this risk entirely.

Apps4Rent Can Help with Hostinger to Office 365 Migration

Migrating from a built-in webmail service to a full-featured productivity suite can be challenging for non-tech users and small businesses. This is particularly true for users who are not accustomed to the hPanel or Microsoft 365 admin center. While the above method is a comprehensive solution for importing individual mailboxes, it could become challenging to migrate several users from Hostinger to Office 365/ Microsoft 365.

As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, Apps4Rent can help migrate from webmail services offered by providers such as HostGator, Bluehost, Google Workspace, and GoDaddy Email to Microsoft 365. Our tech team also has considerable experience with Office 365 migration, including complex tenant-to-tenant scenarios. Contact our Microsoft-certified cloud consultants available round-the-clock via phone, chat, and email for assistance.

FAQs on Hostinger to Office 365 Migration

1. How to migrate Hostinger email to Microsoft 365?

   You can migrate by using the Outlook desktop client to export your Hostinger emails to a PST file and then import that file into your new Microsoft 365 mailbox. For multiple users or a hands-off approach, professional services like Apps4Rent automate this entire process.

2. How do I transfer Hostinger email to Outlook?

   Add your Hostinger account to Outlook using IMAP settings from your hPanel. This will sync your emails to the client, allowing you to manage them within Outlook.

3. Can I migrate contacts and calendar data from Hostinger to Office 365?

   The manual PST method primarily transfers emails. To migrate contacts and calendar data seamlessly, a professional migration service is recommended, as it can handle all data types effectively.

4. Is there a free method to migrate Hostinger emails to Office 365?

   Yes, the manual method using Outlook and PST files is free. It is a practical solution for migrating a single mailbox.

5. How long does Hostinger to Office 365 migration take?

   For a single mailbox, it can take a few hours. For multiple users, it may take a day or more.

6. What are the limitations of manual migration from Hostinger to Office 365?

   The manual process is time-consuming, prone to errors, and typically only moves emails, not contacts or calendars. It becomes impractical for more than a few mailboxes, which is why businesses often choose a professional service for a complete and reliable transfer.

7. Will my folder structure remain intact after migration?

   Yes, a properly executed migration will preserve your entire email folder hierarchy in Office 365.

8. What should I check after migrating Hostinger to Office 365?

   Verify that emails, contacts, and folders have transferred completely. Test sending and receiving new emails, and ensure all devices are reconfigured to connect to Office 365. Finally, confirm that you have updated your MX records to connect your Hostinger domain to Office 365.