If you're looking to transfer a domain from Hostinger, this guide will provide step-by-step instructions suitable for both beginners and advanced users. You'll learn how to obtain the authorization code, unlock your domain at the current registrar, and understand ICANN's policies. By following this comprehensive guide, you can transfer your domain easily and confidently, gaining valuable insights along the way.
Key topics covered include:
- Obtaining the Authorization Code: Learn how to retrieve the authorization code from Hostinger’s client area.
- Unlocking Your Domain: Understand the process of unlocking your domain at the current registrar.
- ICANN Policies: Get acquainted with relevant ICANN policies to ensure a smooth transfer.
- Disabling Domain Privacy: Find out how to temporarily disable Domain Privacy during the transfer.
- Updating Registrant Email Addresses: Ensure your registrant email addresses are up-to-date for seamless communication during the transfer process.
Things to Consider Before Transferring Your Domain Away from Hostinger
- Before going further with the domain transfer, it is essential to know that when a domain name is transferred away, the name servers associated with your domain stay the same during the transfer from one registrar to the other. So, for example, if your domain name uses the default name servers of Hostinger, those name servers will be preserved during the transfer, and you won’t be able to change the name servers until the transfer is complete.
This means that if you switched to another web hosting provider and your website was migrated already, before initiating a domain transfer, ensure that your domain name is pointed to the new provider’s name servers. As we previously mentioned – you won’t be able to change the name servers until the transfer is complete. - Domain Name Registrations and Web Hosting are separate services. The domain name transfer process will not automatically migrate your website. If you are a WebGee customer and wish to transfer your website from Hostinger, please submit a migration request from your client area. Our migrations experts will move your existing sites and emails free of charge, seamlessly, and with zero downtime.
- Transferring your domain name will include your domain renewal for another year. So, for instance, if your domain is due to expire on the 1st of January 2025, once the transfer is complete, the new expiration date will be the 1st of January 2026.
- Ensure the domain is in the ‘Active Period’ and not the ‘Redemption Grace Period’ or ‘Pending Delete’ period.
Preps for Transferring a Domain Away from Hostinger
Before initiating the transfer process at the new registrar, essential steps must be taken at the existing domain registrar. These include obtaining your domain’s authorization code (also known as EPP or auth code), unlocking the domain at your current registrar, ensuring 60 days have passed since initial registration, temporarily disabling privacy protection features during the transfer period, and updating your admin email address.
Step 1: Ensuring 60 Days Have Passed Since Initial Registration
ICANN’s Transfer Policy mandates that domains must be registered for at least 60 days before they can be transferred. This rule applies to new registrations and any recent transfers or updates to domain registrant information.
Step 2: Obtaining Domain Secret Key from Hostinger
To transfer a domain from Hostinger, you must first obtain an authorization code (Secret Key, EPP or auth code). ICANN’s transfer policy requires this unique identifier and is a security measure to prevent unauthorized transfers.
1) Log in to your Hostinger portal, then click on Domains in the menu at the top
2) On the next page, you will see a list of all domains registered in your Hostinger account. Find the domain you wish to transfer away from Hostinger and click on it.
3) On the Domain Overview page, see the Secret key and click the Show option.
4) Your auth code will be displayed. You can use this code at the new registrar to transfer the domain away from Hostinger.
Note: Auth/EPP codes are required for all .com, .net, .org, .us, .biz, .info, .me, .co, .io, .ca, .tv, .in, .mobi, .cc, .pe, .com.pe, .net.pe, .org.pe, .tech, .top, .party, .loan, .faith and other new gTLD domains. If you cannot request an EPP code in an account with your Registrar, contact them and ask them to provide it.
5) Copy the EPP Key to your clipboard and paste it into a Notepad or text editor file for safekeeping.
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Step 3: Unlocking Your Domain at Hostinger
The domain must be unlocked at its current registrar for a successful domain transfer. To disable the Transfer lock for your domain with Hostinger, follow the steps below:
1) Log in to your Hostinger portal, then click on Domains in the menu at the top
2) On the next page, you will see a list of all domains registered in your Hostinger account. Find the domain you wish to transfer away from Hostinger and click on it.
3) On the Domain Overview page, scroll down to the Transfer Lock section and click the toggle button to disable it
That’s it; you have now disabled the registrar lock for your domain. The changes may take a few minutes to be reflected on public WHOIS.
Step 4: Disabling Domain WHOIS Privacy Feature at Hostinger
If you have enabled privacy protection features on your domain, such as WHOIS privacy or ID Protect, these must be temporarily disabled during the transfer process.
To do this in Hostinger, please follow the steps below:
1) Log in to your Hostinger portal, then click on Domains in the menu at the top
2) On the next page, you will see a list of all domains registered in your Hostinger account. Find the domain you wish to transfer away from Hostinger and click on it.
3) On the Domain Overview page, scroll down to the WHOIS Privacy section and click the toggle button to disable it
That’s it; whois privacy protection is now disabled for your domain name. The changes may take a few minutes to be reflected on public WHOIS.
Step 5: Ensuring Registrant’s Email Address Is up-to-Date
Lastly, ensure that your registrant email address is up-to-date with Hostinger. This will help facilitate communication between both parties during the domain transfer process. In case of any issues or additional actions required by either registrar, an accurate email address will expedite the resolution.
1) Log in to your Hostinger portal, then click on Domains in the menu at the top
2) On the next page, you will see a list of all domains registered in your Hostinger account. Find the domain you wish to transfer away from Hostinger and click on it.
3) Once you’re on the Domain overview page, click on the Domain Ownership option in the left-hand side menu
4) Ensure that the email address listed in the Registrant tab is correct and that you can access it.
Once you have prepared your domain for transfer, it is time to initiate the process from the new domain registrar.
Step 6: Initiate the Transfer Request at the New Registrar
Once you have the EPP code and have completed the previous steps, you can initiate the transfer request at the new registrar. This can usually be done through their website or by contacting their customer support team.
Step 7: Monitor the Domain Transfer Process
After initiating the transfer request, you must monitor the process to ensure everything goes smoothly. Keep an eye out for emails from both registrars and complete any required actions promptly.
Transferring a domain can take up to 7 days to a couple of weeks, depending on various factors such as the response times of involved parties and specific TLD requirements. If you’re transferring a UK domain, there may be additional steps you need to take. Make sure you’re familiar with specific requirements for your domain extension.
If you’re transferring a currently locked domain, you’ll need to unlock it in your Hostinger account before initiating the transfer request. Additionally, if your domain uses Hostinger’s nameservers, you’ll need to update the DNS settings to the new host’s nameservers after the transfer.
It’s important to note that if your domain is within 60 days of initial registration or a previous transfer, you won’t be able to transfer it.
Transferring a domain from Hostinger to another registrar can be straightforward if you follow the correct steps and ensure compliance with ICANN rules. Some registrars even offer free domain transfer when you transfer your domain to them, so it’s worth considering your options before making a decision.
How about transferring your domain for free?
Grab an annual hosting plan which you’ll need anyway, and get a free domain transfer. Moreover, we’ll migrate your website(s) free of charge and with zero downtime from Hostinger to us.
You’ll get more than a free domain transfer:
- Great renewal rates: When renewing your domain, you’ll never have to worry about breaking the bank.
- User-friendly domain management: Manage your domain with an easy-to-use control panel and dashboard.
- Industry-leading Customer Support – Day or night, our 24/7 happiness engineers are here to offer struggle-free support when you need it.
Transferring a Domain Transfer from Hostinger to WebGee
Transferring your domain registration from Hostinger to WebGee is a straightforward process. Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth transition:
We’ll assume that you have unlocked the domain at its current registrar and have the authorization code (sometimes called an EPP key) from Hostinger.
Step 1
Head to our Domain Transfer page, enter the domain name you wish to transfer to WebGee, and click the Search button.
Step 2
Enter the domain Transfer Code (EPP) in the appropriate text field
2) Click the “Order Now“ button.
3) You will be asked if you require hosting as well. Click the “Continue“ button to finalize only the domain transfer without hosting.
Click the ‘Checkout‘ button to send your domain transfer request.
A domain name transfer can take up to seven (7) days. Once the domain name transfer is complete, you will receive a confirmation by email.
That’s it! You know how to transfer your domain away from Hostinger to WebGee.