Migrate Zimbra to iRedMail – Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Summary - Planning to migrate Zimbra to iRedMail? Most users do it because of the ease of use, minimalistic approach, and improved email control of iRedMail. As much as Zimbra has advanced features, its complexity and resource requirement make it a good reason to migrate.A manual migration process is discussed in this article along with its drawbacks and one effective method to smoothly migrate.

Zimbra is an email and collaboration suite that boasts rich features such as calendaring, file sharing, and cloud integration. Nevertheless, its resource-intensive nature, complicated management, and expensive commercial plans render it a less suitable option for most users.

Conversely, iRedMail is a lightweight, self-hosted, and open-source mail server that presents simplicity, security, and greater control over emails. Companies and users tend to migrate from Zimbra to iRedMail to cut costs, minimize email complexity, and improve security.

Migration of email servers is a delicate process, as it includes the migration of emails, user accounts, and folder hierarchy without losing any data. In the discussion that follows, we shall discuss some manual steps to move from Zimbra to iRedMail as well as a commercial utility that does it automatically.

Why Migrate Zimbra to iRedMail?

A few of the most important reasons why companies opt to switch from Zimbra to iRedMail are:

1. Lightweight & Resource-Conscious – iRedMail uses less system resources than Zimbra.
2. Simple Administration – iRedMail uses a less complex configuration and admin interface.
3. Full Data Control – While Zimbra includes integration with third-party cloud services, iRedMail lets users maintain full control over security and email settings.
4. Cost-Effective – Zimbra's commercial versions can be pricey, while iRedMail is completely free and open-source.
5. Improved Security & Privacy – iRedMail has inherent TLS encryption, spam filtering, and virus protection for improved email security.

How to Migrate Zimbra to iRedMail?

There are several methods for migrating user data and emails from Zimbra to iRedMail. Three different manual migration techniques are listed below, and then a professional tool to make the migration process easy.

Manual Method 1: Using Zimbra's Built-in Export/Import Feature

This approach enables users to export emails from Zimbra manually and import them into iRedMail.

First, log into Zimbra Webmail and go to Preferences > Import/Export. In this, select the Mail folder and click on Export to export the.tgz file into your local machine. Once the file is downloaded, unzip the file using a tool for creating archives. Since Zimbra exports mail as.eml, you need to convert .eml mail to MBOX format using email conversion software. After converting, relocate the files to iRedMail's mail directory (/var/mail/). Lastly, reboot the mail server to implement the changes.

Manual Method 2: IMAP Sync for Email Migration

Using IMAPSync is another way to migrate emails from Zimbra to iRedMail. This method requires command-line usage but ensures a seamless email transfer.

To start, enable IMAP Access on both Zimbra and iRedMail servers. Then, install IMAPSync using:

apt install imapsync

Run the following command to migrate emails from Zimbra to iRedMail:

imapsync --host1 zimbra.example.com --user1 [email protected] --password1 'password' \

--host2 iredmail.example.com --user2 [email protected] --password2 'password'

Repeat the process for each user account until all emails are transferred successfully.

Manual Method 3: Using Zimbra Backup & Restoration Commands

This method involves backing up Zimbra mailboxes and restoring them into iRedMail manually.

First, run the following command on the Zimbra server to create a full backup of mailboxes:

zmbackup -f -a all

Once the backup is complete, navigate to the backup directory and extract the backup file using:

tar -xvf backup_file_name.tar.gz

Next, convert .eml files into MBOX format if needed. Finally, copy the MBOX files to the iRedMail mail directory (/var/mail/) and restart the mail server to complete the migration.

Also Read: Is iRedMail Safe?

Limitations of Manual Migration Methods

While manual methods are free and provide full control over the migration process, they come with several challenges:

1. Complex & Time-Consuming – Manual methods require technical expertise and can take significant time to complete.
2. Risk of Data Loss – If not executed properly, emails may be lost or become corrupted during the migration.
3. Limited Data Transfer – Most manual methods only migrate emails, leaving behind contacts, calendar entries, and other crucial data.
4. Requires Technical Knowledge – Users must be familiar with command-line operations, IMAP configurations, and email directory structures.

Due to these limitations, an automated approach is recommended for a safe, secure, and efficient migration.

Best Solution to Migrate Zimbra to iRedMail

For users looking for a hassle-free migration process, the Corbett Zimbra Migration Tool is the best option. This professional tool enables users to transfer emails, attachments, contacts, and other mailbox items from Zimbra to iRedMail without any data loss.

Why Choose Corbett Zimbra Migration Tool?

Automated Migration – Transfers all emails, folders, and attachments without manual effort.

Preserves Folder Structure – Ensures that emails remain in their original format and location.

No Technical Expertise Required – Designed for both technical and non-technical users.

Selective Migration – Allows users to filter and migrate only specific emails or folders.

Complete Security – Ensures a secure migration process without the risk of data corruption.

Conclusion

Switching from Zimbra to iRedMail has many advantages, such as improved performance, reduced costs, and better security. Though possible manually, the process is complicated, time-consuming, and error-prone. For a secure, efficient, and error-free migration process, it is strongly recommended to use the best Zimbra Migration Tool. To know more about the IMAP mails, do check out Mailcow vs iRedMail vs Zimbra vs Dovecot: Full Comparison.