Importing emails from another IMAP server to Plesk is best done using the Mail Importing feature within the Plesk interface. Install the "Site Import" extension, navigate to the specific domain's mail settings, and enter the source mailbox credentials (IMAP host, email, and password) to migrate messages directly.
Steps to Import Emails to Plesk
- Install/Verify Extension: Ensure the Site Import extension is installed in Plesk.

- Navigate to Mail Importing:
- Go to Domains > click the domain name.
- Click the Mail tab, then click Mail Importing.
- Click Import mail messages.
- Enter Source Mailbox Details:Enter the full email address (e.g., user@example.com) and password of the old mailbox.
- If needed, click Show advanced options to manually enter the source IMAP host/IP address.
- Configure Destination: Choose an existing mailbox in Plesk or create a new one.
- Run Import: Click OK. Plesk will connect via IMAP (preferably over SSL) and transfer the emails.
Critical Tips for Success
- Keep Old Server Active: Do not change your domain's MX records to the new server until after the import is complete to avoid missing emails.
- Use Advanced Settings: If the source server does not support SSL, you may need to disable it in the advanced options. Increase connection timeouts (e.g., to 90–120 seconds) for large mailboxes.
- Alternative Tool: For complex or large-scale migrations, use the open-source tool IMAPsync directly.
For more details, visit the official Plesk Mail Importing documentation.