Outlook / Exchange Online → Zoho Mail
Outlook to Zoho Mail Migration Guide
Complete guide to migrate from Outlook or Exchange Online to Zoho Mail using IMAP. Learn how to set up app passwords, preserve folders, and migrate emails safely with zero downtime.
Outlook
Zoho
Prerequisites
- Source accounts in Outlook / Exchange Online with IMAP access enabled
- Destination Zoho Mail accounts created for each user
- App passwords configured for both Outlook and Zoho Mail (see instructions below)
How to Get App Passwords
Outlook / Microsoft 365 App Password
Step-by-step instructions:
- Go to your Microsoft Account Security page
- Enable "Two-step verification" if not already enabled
- Click on "Advanced security options" or go directly to App passwords page
- Click "Create a new app password"
- Enter "Migrate Wizard" as the app name and click "Generate"
- Copy the generated password – you'll use this in Migrate Wizard
Zoho Mail App Password
Step-by-step instructions:
- First, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your Zoho account if not already enabled
- Go to accounts.zoho.com and sign in
- Click My Profile → My Account
- Go to the Security section
- Click App Passwords → Generate New Password
- Enter "Migrate Wizard" as the app name and click Generate
- Copy the generated password immediately (you won't be able to see it again) – use this as the Zoho IMAP password
Important: App passwords are only available if 2FA is enabled. Also ensure IMAP access is enabled in your Zoho Mail settings (Settings → Mail Accounts → IMAP Access).
Using App Passwords in Migrate Wizard
- Use the user's email address as the username for both Outlook and Zoho.
- Use the generated app password (not the regular password) in the password field.
- For Outlook IMAP, use
outlook.office365.comor your Exchange server. - For Zoho IMAP, use
imap.zoho.com(orimap.zoho.eufor EU accounts).
Recommended Migration Strategy
1Test with a Single Mailbox
Migrate one Outlook mailbox to Zoho Mail using Migrate Wizard and confirm that login works, folders appear as expected, and messages are readable.
2Run a Small Pilot
Move 3–5 more mailboxes with different sizes and usage patterns. Use this to validate performance and confirm that Zoho isn't throttling or blocking IMAP connections.