cirrux

Switch from Proton

Moving from Proton Mail to Cirrux looks a little different from switching from Google. Because Proton encrypts your mailbox end-to-end, there is no server-to-server sync we can run for you. Instead, you export your data from Proton on your own machine, and then import it into Cirrux. Everything stays under your control, and you can keep using Proton throughout the process.

Before you start

We recommend using your own domain (like you@yourdomain.com) rather than a provider-specific email address. This gives you full control over your email and makes any future move much easier. If you don't have a domain yet, you can register one through any domain registrar.

Migration steps

1

Create your mailboxes

You get your first mailbox when you sign up. To add mailboxes for other people, open the admin app at admin.cirrux.info, go to Users and use Add member, which creates a mailbox for the new member.

Each mailbox has its own app passwords for connecting email clients such as Thunderbird.

2

Export your email from Proton

Download and run the Proton Mail Export Tool. Sign in with your Proton account and export your mailbox. It produces a folder of EML files (one per message) or an MBOX archive, preserving your folder structure.

The export can take a while depending on the size of your mailbox. You can let it run in the background and come back when it's finished.

Paid Proton plans can alternatively use Proton Bridge with Thunderbird and drag mail across via IMAP. The export path above works for everyone, including free Proton accounts, so we recommend it.

3

Export your calendars

In Proton Calendar on the web, go to Settings → Calendars, and export each calendar. You'll get one .ics file per calendar.

Keep these files. You'll upload them into Cirrux in step 5.

4

Export your contacts

In Proton Contacts on the web, go to Settings → Import/Export and export your contacts. This produces a .vcf (vCard) file with all your contacts.

5

Import into Cirrux

With your exports in hand, bring them into Cirrux:

  • Email: Cirrux can't import MBOX or EML files directly, so use Thunderbird as a bridge. Open the exported files in Thunderbird (File → Import), then add your Cirrux mailbox to Thunderbird using an app password, and drag your folders across.
  • Calendar: in Cirrux Mail, go to Settings → Sync & Import and upload each .ics file with ICS file import.
  • Contacts: on the same page, upload the .vcf file with VCF file import and pick the address book it should go into.
6

Add your domain

If you're using your own domain, add it to Cirrux. Go to Settings → Domains in Cirrux Mail (or Domains in the admin app at admin.cirrux.info) and click Add domain.

Cirrux will provide you with the DNS records you need to configure. See our Domains & DNS guide for details on each record.

7

Update your DNS settings

Log in to your domain registrar and update the DNS settings with the records provided by Cirrux. If your domain was previously configured for Proton, remove Proton's MX, SPF, and DKIM records first so they don't conflict. You'll typically add:

  • MX records: route incoming email to Cirrux
  • SPF record: authorizes Cirrux to send email on your behalf
  • DKIM records: sign your outgoing email
  • DMARC record: tells receiving servers what to do with mail that fails these checks

DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate, though they often take effect within minutes. We'll email you when we detect the DNS changes, and your domain will show as Active once the records are verified.

8

Forward mail from Proton during the transition

Because there's no continuous sync from Proton, set up forwarding to catch anything that still lands in your Proton inbox. In Proton, go to Settings → Mail → Forward and add a rule that forwards incoming mail to your new Cirrux address.

Keep your Proton account active until you're confident everything is flowing correctly to Cirrux. You can cancel your Proton subscription once you're ready.

You're all set!

Once your domain is active and your imports are complete, you're ready to use Cirrux as your email provider. New mail will arrive in Cirrux, and your imported history is available to search and reference.

Unlike the switch from Google, there's no ongoing sync between Proton and Cirrux. Keep the forwarding rule in place until you're confident nothing is still being sent to your old Proton address.

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