How to Import Emails to Hostinger Webmail

This guide walks you through importing emails into your Hostinger webmail account using the built-in import tool. You’ll need your email account credentials and a file containing your existing emails (usually in .eml or .mbox format). By the end, you’ll have your old messages accessible directly in your Hostinger webmail interface.

What You’ll Need

• Your Hostinger email address and password (the one you want to import into).
• Access to the Hostinger webmail interface (webmail.hostinger.com).
• Your email export file. Hostinger’s import tool accepts .eml files (single messages) and .mbox files (a folder of messages). If you’re migrating from Gmail, Outlook, or another provider, export your emails in one of these formats first.
• If you’re importing from another email account directly (not a file), you’ll need that account’s IMAP/POP3 server settings and credentials.

Step-by-Step

1. Log in to Hostinger Webmail. Open your browser and go to webmail.hostinger.com. Enter your full email address and password, then click Log in.
2. Open the Settings menu. Once in your inbox, look for the gear icon (usually in the top-right corner) and click it. From the dropdown, select Settings.
3. Find the Import/Export section. In the Settings panel, look for a tab or link labeled Import/Export or Import Messages. It’s often under the “Accounts” or “Email” section. Click it.
4. Choose the import source. You’ll see two options: Import from file and Import from another email account. Select the one that matches your situation.
5. If importing from a file: Click the Choose File button and select your .eml or .mbox file. Then click Import. The process may take a few minutes depending on the file size.
6. If importing from another account: Enter the email address of the source account, its password, and the server details (IMAP server, port, and security type). You can usually find these in the source account’s help documentation. Click Import to start.
7. Wait for the import to complete. You’ll see a progress bar or a success message once done. Large imports might take a while, so be patient.
8. Verify your emails. After the import finishes, go to your inbox or the folder you imported into. Your messages should appear there. If they’re not visible, check the folder structure—imported messages often land in the same folders they came from.

Common Mistakes

• Importing the wrong file format. Hostinger only supports .eml and .mbox. If you try to import a .pst (Outlook) file directly, it will fail. You need to convert it first.
• Using the wrong server settings for direct import. If you’re importing from another account, getting the IMAP server or port wrong is a frequent error. Double-check the source provider’s documentation.
• Importing into the wrong folder. The import tool might place messages in a default folder like “Imported” or “Inbox.” If you expected them elsewhere, you may need to move them manually.
• Uploading a huge file without splitting. If your .mbox file is hundreds of MB, the import might time out. Split it into smaller parts using a tool like Thunderbird before importing.
• Forgetting to check storage limits. Importing a large number of emails can quickly fill your mailbox quota. Check your Hostinger plan’s storage limit first.

Tips

• Back up your current mailbox before importing. This ensures you don’t lose anything if something goes wrong. You can export your current emails using the same Import/Export tool.
• Use IMAP for direct import. If you’re moving from another provider, IMAP is more reliable than POP3 because it preserves folder structure.
• Import in batches. For large exports, split your .mbox file into smaller chunks (e.g., by year or folder) to avoid timeouts.
• Check your spam folder. Occasionally, imported messages might be flagged as spam. Whitelist the sender or move them to your inbox.
• Update your email client. If you use Outlook or Thunderbird, make sure it’s set to sync with the server so the imported emails appear on all devices.

Troubleshooting

• Import fails with a “file not supported” error. This means your file isn’t .eml or .mbox. Convert it using a free tool like Thunderbird’s ImportExportTools add-on or an online converter.
• Import takes forever. Large files can take a long time. If it seems stuck, try splitting the file and importing each part separately. Also ensure your internet connection is stable.
• Emails are missing after import. Check if they landed in a different folder. Use the search bar to look for a known subject. If they’re not there, try re-importing the file.
• Direct import from Gmail/Outlook fails. Make sure you’ve enabled IMAP access in the source account. For Gmail, you may need to generate an app password if you use two-factor authentication.
• Storage full error. If you get a quota exceeded message, delete some emails or upgrade your hosting plan. You can also compress attachments before importing.
• Webmail is slow after import. This is usually temporary while the server indexes the new messages. Give it a few hours. If it persists, contact Hostinger support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import emails from Gmail directly into Hostinger webmail?

Yes, you can use the “Import from another email account” option. You’ll need to enable IMAP in Gmail and use an app password if you have 2FA enabled.

What file formats does Hostinger webmail support for import?

Hostinger supports .eml (single email) and .mbox (multiple emails in one file). If you have a .pst file, convert it to .mbox first.

Will the import preserve my folder structure?

When importing from a .mbox file, the folder structure is usually preserved. Direct IMAP import also maintains folders. However, if you import individual .eml files, they’ll go to your inbox.

Is there a size limit for the import file?

Hostinger doesn’t publicly document a strict limit, but very large files (over 1GB) may time out. It’s best to split large exports into smaller parts.

Can I import emails from a backup of another hosting provider?

Yes, as long as you have the emails in .eml or .mbox format. Most hosting providers allow you to export your mailboxes in these formats.

What happens to my existing emails when I import?

Importing does not delete or overwrite your current emails. The imported messages are added to your mailbox, so you’ll have both old and new messages.

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