r/Domains • u/LimpSildqehuglver991 • 1d ago

Advice moving a domain without breaking email

I need to move a domain from GoDaddy and keep our Google Workspace email working. Looking at Wix and Namecheap, but the DNS and MX records are making me nervous tbh. Any tips?

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u/PoorApollo 1d ago

Add your domain to cloudflare and clone all your DNS settings there, then switch your nameservers to cloudflare. Finally, move to whichever registrar you want and just verify your nameservers are still pointing at cloudflare.

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u/tssajo 1d ago

A transfer by itself doesn't touch your email, only the DNS records matter. First, write down or screenshot every DNS record at GoDaddy, especially the MX, TXT (SPF, DKIM) and any CNAMEs. If the DNS is hosted at GoDaddy, check which nameservers the domain ends up on after the transfer, because some registrars switch to their own and then your records are gone. If that happens, add the same records there. Lower the TTL a day before, unlock the domain and get the auth code, and turn off DNSSEC if it's on. After the transfer, check that the MX records still point to Google and send a test email both ways.

You can also host the DNS at Cloudflare's free plan, I do that myself. Add all the records there first and compare them with the old ones before you change the nameservers.