How to Migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365?

• 20 November 2025
• Office 365 Migration
• Written by Justin Greaves

With so many email platforms available in the market, it is very easy to feel overwhelmed. SBCGlobal.net and Office 365 are both efficient email service providers.

Nonetheless, Office 365 is gaining popularity as the go-to solution for businesses. This is due to the fact that businesses are adapting to new and advanced technological standards. As a result, migrating from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 emerges as a significant shift in how companies manage their emails.

So, in this article, we will guide you through the comprehensive step-by-step process of migrating from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365, highlighting key steps and strategies to ensure a smooth and successful migration process.

What Is SBCGlobal.net?

SBCGlobal.net is an email service provider. Earlier, it was offered by SBC Communications which was later acquired by AT&T. It supported both plain text and HTML formats that allowed users to easily compose, send, and receive emails. It also provided other email features such as inbox management, contact management, calendar integration, and online storage.

SBCGlobal.net has been discontinued following its acquisition by AT&T. The new signups are no longer available, however, the existing ones still work. Users can access and create new accounts from the AT&T homepage.

Why You Should Migrate From SBCGlobal.net to Microsoft 365/ Office 365?

Besides that you are not able to create new accounts on the SBCGlobal.net domain anymore, there are some other reasons why shifting to Office 365 is advantageous for you.

Some of the reasons are listed below:

• Improved Email Management and Integration: Office 365 is a more robust and feature-rich email platform in comparison to SBCGlobal.net. It offers a better user interface and experience with email management, calendar integration, and other services. Additionally, the integration with other Office 365 apps and services enhances overall productivity and collaboration.
• Increased Reliability and Support: SBCGlobal.net has been reported to have occasional service outages and delivery delays. On the other hand, Office 365 is a well-established and widely used email platform with a reputation for reliable email delivery and comprehensive customer support.
• Future-Proofing: As SBCGlobal.net is an older email service, migrating to Office 365 ensures that users have access to the latest email features and security updates. Moreover, Office 365 is a more future-proof solution that will continue to be supported and improved over time.
• Advanced Security Features: Office 365 offers multi-factor authentication that adds an extra layer of security. It also includes Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), which protects against cyber threats. After migration, you can use tools like Microsoft Secure Score for security enhancement to continuously monitor and improve your organization’s security posture.
  

How SBCGlobal.net Email Works and Its Modern Limitations

Understanding the fundamental operation of SBCGlobal.net clarifies its position as a legacy service and simplifies the SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 migration pipeline. The platform functions on a basic framework that, while functional in the past, now presents clear operational constraints for contemporary users.

• Legacy Infrastructure: The service operates on AT&T’s backend systems following its acquisition, relying on a standard IMAP and POP3 framework for sending and receiving mail.
• Basic Protocol Reliance: It functions using fundamental email protocols, requiring manual configuration of server settings in email clients rather than modern, automated discovery.
• Static Feature Set: The platform offers a fixed set of features from its era of prominence, including basic contact management and calendar functions, with no development of new capabilities.
• Discontinued Development: As a phased-out service, it no longer receives feature updates, security enhancements, or technical improvements, leaving it functionally static.
• Isolated Ecosystem: The service operates as a standalone email platform without APIs or integration capabilities for connecting with modern cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools.
• Limited Native Security: The platform’s built-in security is confined to basic password protection, lacking the foundational architecture required for modern security layers like multi-factor authentication.
• Administrative Overhead: Management of the account, including password resets and troubleshooting, is handled through AT&T’s general customer support channels, not a dedicated email support system.

These constraints, especially the lack of new accounts and security limitations, explain why many users begin looking up how to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 or plan a complete SBCGlobal.net email migration to Office 365 for better long-term reliability.

Pre-Requisites of SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 Migration

Now, as you know, it is beneficial to migrate to Office 365. Let’s start the process. But, before you actually migrate, here are some necessary steps to take:

1. Obtain the IMAP server settings for your SBCGlobal.net account, which are:
   • IMAP Host: imap.mail.att.net
   • IMAP Port: 993 (for SSL-based mail services)
2. Keep your Office 365 account credentials ready.

Methods to Migrate SBCGlobal.net Emails to Office 365

There are several practical ways to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365, each suited to different levels of technical comfort and mailbox volume. While this guide focuses on SBCGlobal.net, the principles apply to other migrations too – you can learn about specific scenarios like how to migrate from GoDaddy to Office 365.

All approaches rely on IMAP, which serves as the bridge that allows your SBCGlobal.net data to be accessed, exported, and moved into your Microsoft 365 mailbox. Below are the three most common paths, along with what each one offers.

Method 1: Configure SBCGlobal.net in Outlook and Import to Office 365

This approach is a manual, two-stage process ideal for individual users who prefer a hands-on method using familiar tools like Microsoft Outlook. The core of this strategy involves first connecting your old account to a desktop client and then transferring the data via a PST file. It offers you direct control over the export and import stages, making it a transparent, though somewhat technical, path to migration. This method is best suited for migrating a single mailbox, as it can become time-consuming when managing multiple accounts.

Method 2: Add SBCGlobal.net as IMAP and Perform Manual Migration

This method provides a more direct, “hands-on” alternative to using Outlook. Instead of creating an intermediate PST file, you use the tool to directly access your SBCGlobal.net mailbox via IMAP, select the folders for migration, and transfer the data to your Office 365 account. This approach gives you granular control over the process while often being faster and more robust than the manual Outlook method, making it suitable for users comfortable with using utilities to manage their data transfer.

Method 3: Use Third-Party Migration Services for Seamless Transfer

For organizations managing several mailboxes or for anyone who prefers a smooth, hands-off transition, professional migration services offer the simplest path. These services remove the guesswork from figuring out how to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 and instead provide a fully guided experience.

A managed migration handles every stage, from planning the workflow to transferring the data, validating mailbox integrity, and ensuring that nothing is lost in the process. For users looking for a dependable partner, Apps4Rent provides a complete service for those needing a well-structured and reliable SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 migration. Our team manages all technical details, maintains data accuracy, and supports organizations or individuals throughout the entire transition.

Steps for Migrating Emails from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365

As you are ready, let us start the migration process. There are three ways to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365.

1. Importing SBCGlobal.net contacts, emails, calendar, etc to Office 365 using the tool – IMAP Backup Wizard.
   • Download and install IMAP Backup Wizard.
   • In IMAP Backup Wizard, enter the SBCGlobal.net credentials.
   • Now, you will see two checkboxes. If you want to back up multiple email accounts, then choose the ‘Use Batch Mode’ option, and if you want to back up data using a proxy server, then choose the ‘Use Proxy’ option.
   • In the Batch mode option, click and check the sample CSV files.
   • Then, click on the browse icon on the right side and select the CSV file that contains the email address and password. Then, click ‘Next’
   • If you selected the proxy option, then enter the proxy details and click ‘next’.
   • But as we are doing it with the IMAP server, simply enter the IMAP details as given above.
   • Then click on ‘Login’.
   • Check the folders you want to convert
   • Select the saving option as ‘Office 365’ and check the box that says ‘Save messages in default folders’.
   • Click on the ‘I am Admin’ option to map the Office 365 user account and then select the language.
   • After this, enter your Office 365 credentials and click on the ‘Backup’ Button.
   • The live conversion process will start.
   • After the process is complete, go to Office 365.
   • Under the ‘Hierarchy’ folder, click on ‘Inbox’ to see the converted emails.
2. Forward emails from SBCGlobal.net account to the Office 365 account
3. Set up your SBCGlobal.net account in Outlook and then manually migrate the data to Office 365.If you want to go by this option, then the process is the same as above till you enter the IMAP server details. After this, follow the given steps:
   • Select the folders you want to convert.
   • Select the saving option as ‘PST’ and then select your preferred language.
   • Now select the destination path to save the output files.
   • Then click on the ‘Backup’ button.
   • Go to Outlook.
   • Go to file > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data file. Then select the PST file.
   • Under the IMAP BackupWizard tab, click on ‘Inbox’. Your converted emails will show.

How to Add SBCGlobal.net Email to Outlook 365 (IMAP Configuration)

Before setting up Outlook, make sure you have the correct SBCGlobal.net credentials and the verified AT&T IMAP and SMTP details. These are the same settings used when you migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 or work through any SBCGlobal.net email migration to Office 365 on Windows. Once everything is ready, the steps below walk you through adding your SBCGlobal.net mailbox to Outlook 365 using a clean, manual IMAP configuration.

• Gather the Verified Server Settings: Keep your SBCGlobal.net password handy, along with the official AT&T server details. This includes the updated IMAP and SMTP values that Outlook requires for a reliable connection.
• Open Outlook and Access Account Settings: Launch Outlook and go to File, then Account Settings. From here, select Manage Profiles or open Account Settings directly to begin adding a new mailbox.
• Start the Manual Setup Flow: Type your SBCGlobal.net email address, then select Advanced options. Check the option labeled Let me set up my account manually so Outlook presents the configuration windows instead of attempting automatic setup.
• Choose IMAP as the Account Type: Pick IMAP from the available service types. IMAP keeps your mailbox synced across devices and is the recommended method, whether you are setting up Outlook or preparing for a later transition, such as how to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365.
• Enter User Information and Server Details: Provide your SBCGlobal.net email address, password, and the correct AT&T IMAP and SMTP server information.
• Enable SMTP Authentication: Go to More Settings, open the Outgoing Server tab, and activate My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication. Select Use same settings as my incoming mail server to finalize the requirement.
• Finish the Configuration and Run the Test: Click Next. Outlook will test the IMAP and SMTP connections and confirm that the mailbox is ready to use.

Errors that persist often come down to incorrect server entries. Reviewing the IMAP address, the SMTP port, and the STARTTLS selection against the official AT&T support documentation usually resolves the issue quickly.

Post-Migration Checklist: DNS, Folder Mapping, and Data Verification

After the mailbox transfer finishes, a quick post-migration review helps confirm everything is working correctly. These checks make the transition smoother for anyone planning to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 and ensure the new mailbox is fully ready for daily use.

• Verify DNS Record Configuration for Custom Domains: Update your domain’s MX record so new mail flows directly into Microsoft 365 instead of the old SBCGlobal.net account.
• Review Folder and Item Mapping: Open Outlook on the web or the desktop client and confirm that folders such as Inbox, Sent Items, and any custom folders appear correctly.
• Check Data Integrity and Completeness: Compare a small set of emails between your old SBCGlobal.net mailbox and the new Office 365 account. Verify basic details such as sender, subject, dates, and attachments. This quick sampling helps validate a successful sbcglobal.net email migration to Office 365.
• Test Sending and Receiving: Send a test email from Office 365 to an external address, reply to it, and confirm both functions work. Confirm that your Sent Items and Inbox update normally.
• Finalize Cutover and Forwarding: Set temporary forwarding from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 to catch lingering messages. Once everything runs smoothly and no new mail hits the old inbox, you can safely decommission the SBCGlobal.net account.
  

Common Issues During SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 Migration

Even well-planned migrations can run into obstacles, especially when working with an older service like SBCGlobal.net. Being aware of common problems helps you prepare ahead of time and ensures a smoother sbcglobal.net email migration to Office 365.

• Authentication Failures and App Password Requirements: AT&T accounts that use two-factor authentication often reject standard passwords during migration. In these cases, you must generate an App Password in the AT&T security dashboard to allow Outlook or migration tools to connect.
• Incorrect or Outdated IMAP/SMTP Settings: Migration attempts fail quickly when outdated or incorrect server values are used. Using generic IMAP servers or older SMTP details prevents the mailbox from connecting, impacting anyone trying to migrate from sbcglobal.net to Office 365.
• Incomplete Folder and Data Mapping: Some users find that custom folders, older messages, or items like contacts and calendar entries do not appear in their new Office 365 mailbox. This typically occurs when the migration tool does not fully map non-standard folders.
• Password and Login Problems: Many users have not manually logged into their SBCGlobal.net account for years, leading to forgotten or outdated passwords. This is a frequent early roadblock when learning how to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365.
• Large Mailboxes and Oversized Attachments: Very large mail volumes or heavy attachments can cause slowdowns, incomplete transfers, or timeouts, especially when using IMAP-based migration methods.
• Risk of Corrupted PST Files in Manual Exports: Users choosing the PST export-and-import method may encounter corrupted PST files, which prevent successful import into Microsoft 365 and require the entire extraction process to be repeated.

Troubleshooting Email Migration Errors and Authentication Issues

A clean sbcglobal.net email migration to Office 365 often comes down to resolving a few recurring issues. A focused, step-by-step troubleshooting approach helps keep the process on track.

• Authentication Problems: If Outlook reports an invalid password, reset the SBCGlobal.net password through AT&T’s account page. For accounts with two-factor authentication, generate an App Password in the AT&T security settings and use that instead of the regular password.
• Connection and Server Errors: Most connection failures stem from outdated IMAP or SMTP details. Review the current AT&T server settings and update them in your migration tool. If the settings are correct but connections still fail, check whether a VPN, firewall, or security software is blocking access.
• Interrupted Transfers: Stalled or failed migrations often relate to internet instability or throttling by AT&T/Yahoo. Restart the migration and enable the option to skip duplicates. If throttling is suspected, pause for a short period before continuing.
• Folder and Message Errors: “Folder Synchronization Failed” errors usually mean the folder does not exist in Office 365. Create the missing folder and rerun that portion of the migration. For oversized messages or attachments, move them in smaller batches or handle them separately.

If repeated issues slow the process or large volumes of data are involved, working with a professional service like Apps4Rent can simplify the workload and ensure accuracy for anyone trying to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365. We have experience with complex migrations, including tenant to tenant migration in Office 365, and can handle any technical challenges that arise.

Best Practices for a Smooth SBCGlobal.net Email Migration

A focused plan makes it easier to migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 without surprises. The points below highlight the essentials and keep the process steady from start to finish.

• Log into the account and review folder sizes, total email volume, and any important messages or large attachments that need to be carried over.
• Delete old mail, clear junk and spam, and empty the trash. A lighter mailbox speeds up the SBCGlobal.net email migration to Office 365.
• Ensure the password is current. If AT&T uses two-factor authentication, create an App Password for the migration tool.
• Test the process with one non-critical account to confirm data integrity and estimate the time needed for the full migration.
• Inform users about timing, expected downtime, and any steps they’ll need to take once they migrate from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365.
• Evenings or weekends help avoid workflow disruptions and reduce the chance of throttling.
• After completion, confirm folder structure, basic send/receive functionality, and a sample of migrated emails.
• Leave the original SBCGlobal.net account active for a brief period to retrieve any missed messages or resolve issues.

Also Read: How to Migrate Emails from Combell to Office 365?

Apps4Rent: Your Trusted Partner for SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 Migration

Migrating from SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 works in favor of the enterprises. However, challenges during the Microsoft Office 365 migration process are inevitable. Addressing these issues is important for a successful migration.

To help you, Apps4Rent, a Microsoft Solutions Partner, is here to save your day. It provides assistance for seamless migration. The team ensures a smooth migration process by addressing issues and leveraging their experience to streamline the process. So, if you are planning to migrate to Office 365, don’t hesitate to contact Apps4Rent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I migrate my Yahoo email to Office 365?

   Use an IMAP migration. Enter your Yahoo login details in the migration tool and map the mailbox to Office 365.

2. How do I transfer my email account to Office 365?

   Verify your credentials, add the source account to the migration tool, and start an IMAP transfer into your Office 365 mailbox.

3. Can I migrate SBCGlobal.net contacts and calendars to Office 365?

   Yes. Export them from the SBCGlobal/Yahoo webmail page and import the files into Outlook or Office 365.

4. Do I need an SBCGlobal/Yahoo app password for IMAP migration?

   Yes, if two-factor authentication is enabled. Generate an App Password and use it instead of your normal password.

5. Is there any risk of data loss during SBCGlobal.net to Office 365 migration?

   Very low. A quick post-migration check and keeping the old mailbox active for a short period helps confirm everything transferred correctly. Using Apps4Rent’s Office 365 migration service further reduces the data loss risks.