admin@onpointhosts.com
admin@onpointhosts.com

Before you transfer a domain: what you need to know

A five-minute read that makes your transfer go smoothly first time. Run through the checklist, get to grips with the jargon, then follow our step-by-step transfer guide.

📖 5 minute read 🇬🇧 Our IPS tag: PDR-IN 📧 Access to the domain’s email is a must

On this page

  1. 1Checklist
  2. 2Key terms
  3. 3UK vs other
  4. 4Avoid downtime
  5. ➜Start transfer guide

Before you startTransfer checklist

Most failed transfers come down to one missed item on this list. Tick them all off and your transfer should go through first time.

Items marked UK apply only to .uk domains. Items marked Other apply to .com, .net, .org and similar.

The number one problem An old email address on the domain that nobody checks any more. It happens more than you’d think, so check it first.
  1. You can open the domain owner’s email account Codes and approval emails go to the registrant email. If it’s an old address you no longer use, update it at your current provider first.
  2. The domain hasn’t expired Renew it with your current provider first if it has, or if it expires in the next few days.
  3. It wasn’t registered or transferred in the last 60 days Other Registries block transfers in the first 60 days. UK domains aren’t affected by this rule.
  4. Domain lock is switched off Other Also called transfer lock or registrar lock. It’s a setting at your current provider.
  5. You have the EPP (authorisation) code Other Your current provider gives you this. You’ll paste it into our transfer form.
  6. You know how to change the IPS tag UK Or you’ve asked your current provider to change it to PDR-IN for you.
  7. Your OnPoint hosting is ready Website uploaded and mailboxes created, so nothing goes missing when the domain arrives.

Jargon busterKey terms explained

Registrant

The person or organisation who legally owns the domain. Transferring doesn’t change the owner, only who manages it.

Registrar

The company you register and renew the domain through. After a transfer, that’s OnPoint Hosts.

Registry & TLD

Each ending (the top-level domain, or TLD) is run by a registry. Nominet runs .uk, and other registries run .com, .org and the rest. That’s why the steps differ.

UK

IPS tag

The label Nominet uses to say which registrar looks after a .uk domain. Change it to ours and the domain moves across.

The OnPoint Hosts IPS tag is:

PDR-IN
Other

EPP code

Also called an authorisation or auth code. A password for the domain that proves you’re allowed to move it.

Other

Domain lock

A safety setting that blocks transfers. Switch it off before you start, and it’s switched back on once the domain is with us.

Other

The 60-day rule

A domain can’t be transferred within 60 days of being registered or last transferred.

Nameservers

They tell the internet where your website and email live. Ours are ns0.thundercloud.uk and ns1.thundercloud.uk.

Other

WHOIS privacy

Hides your contact details from public lookups. Turn it off during the transfer so approval emails can reach you.

At a glanceUK domains vs other domains

Domains are run by different registries, so the transfer process depends on how your domain ends.

  UK .uk, .co.uk, .org.uk Other .com, .net, .org…
Run byNominetVarious registries
At your old providerChange the IPS tag to PDR-INUnlock the domain and get the EPP code
Authorisation codeNot neededRequired
Approval emailSometimes, depending on your providerYes, sent to the owner’s email
60-day ruleDoesn’t applyApplies
Typical timeA few hours after the tag change24–48 hours, up to 5 working days
Expiry dateStays the sameExtended by 1 year

Good practiceKeep your website and email running

The transfer moves who manages your domain. Your website and email only move when the nameservers change. Do it in this order and nobody will notice a thing.

  1. 1Set up your hosting

    Order or log in to your OnPoint hosting account.

  2. 2Move your content

    Upload your website and create the same mailboxes in cPanel.

  3. 3Transfer the domain

    Not ready yet? Keep your current nameservers during the transfer.

  4. 4Switch nameservers

    When you’re ready, point the domain to ns0.thundercloud.uk and ns1.thundercloud.uk.

Common questions

What is an IPS tag?

An IPS tag is the identifier Nominet uses for each registrar of .uk domains. To transfer a .uk domain to OnPoint Hosts, your current provider changes the domain’s IPS tag to PDR-IN.

What is an EPP code and where do I find it?

An EPP code (also called an authorisation or auth code) is a unique password for a .com, .net, .org or similar domain. You get it from your current provider’s control panel, or by asking their support team.

Does transferring my domain change who owns it?

No. You remain the registrant (owner). A transfer only changes which company manages the domain for you.

Can I transfer a domain that has expired?

It is best to renew an expired domain with your current provider first. Expired domains often cannot be transferred, and some registrars charge a fee to restore them.

How long does a transfer take?

UK domains usually move within a few hours of the IPS tag change. Other domains usually take 24 to 48 hours once approved, and up to 5 working days at most.

Ticked everything off?

Follow our picture-by-picture guide to move your domain to OnPoint Hosts.

Step-by-step transfer guide Start your transfer

Questions? Contact our UK support team.

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