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Transfer a UK Domain from Hostinger to Another Provider

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Transferring a .uk domain (like .co.uk, .org.uk, or .me.uk) from Hostinger to another registrar involves a different process than international domains because .uk domains don’t use an authorization code (EPP code). Instead, you’ll need to update the IPS tag at the registry (Nominet) to your new provider’s tag. This guide walks you through the exact steps, what you need beforehand, common pitfalls, and troubleshooting if things go wrong.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to your Hostinger account (email and password).
  • The domain name you’re transferring.
  • The IPS tag of your new provider (you can usually find this on their website or by asking their support).
  • The new provider must support .uk domain transfers (most do).
  • Your domain must be at least 60 days old (per Nominet rules).
  • Your domain must not be locked or have any pending disputes.

Step-by-Step

  1. Find your new provider’s IPS tag. Before you start, visit your new registrar’s website and look for their IPS tag. Common tags include: 123-reg (123-REG), GoDaddy (GODADDY), Namecheap (NAMECHEAP), or a custom tag. If you can’t find it, contact their support and ask for their Nominet IPS tag.
  2. Log in to your Hostinger account. Go to hPanel and sign in with your credentials.
  3. Navigate to your domain list. In the hPanel dashboard, click on “Domains” in the top menu, then select “My Domains” from the dropdown.
  4. Select the domain you want to transfer. Click on the domain name to open its management page.
  5. Find the transfer section. Look for a tab or link labeled “Transfer out,” “Registrar change,” or “IPS Tag.” In Hostinger’s hPanel, it’s usually under the “Domain Settings” or “More” menu. If you don’t see it, try clicking on “Advanced” or “Domain Management.”
  6. Enter the new IPS tag. You’ll see a field asking for the IPS tag. Type in the tag you got from your new provider (e.g., NAMECHEAP). Double-check for typos – the tag is case-insensitive but must be exact.
  7. Submit the change. Click the “Change IPS Tag” or “Submit” button. Hostinger may ask you to confirm the action – do so.
  8. Wait for the transfer to complete. Nominet will process the tag change, usually within a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. Your domain will then appear in your new provider’s account.
  9. Complete the transfer with your new provider. Once the domain appears in your new account, you may need to accept a transfer request or confirm the domain. Follow your new provider’s instructions to finalize the transfer.
  10. Verify DNS settings. After the transfer, check that your DNS records (A, MX, CNAME, etc.) have been copied over or reconfigure them if needed. Some providers import them automatically, but it’s safer to verify.

Common Mistakes

  • Using an EPP code: .uk domains don’t use EPP codes. Trying to get one from Hostinger will fail. The IPS tag is the only method.
  • Wrong IPS tag: Entering an incorrect tag (e.g., a tag that doesn’t exist or belongs to a different registrar) will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong place. Always copy the tag from the new provider’s official site.
  • Domain locked: If your domain has a transfer lock enabled (some registrars do this by default), the change may be blocked. Check Hostinger’s settings to ensure the domain is unlocked.
  • Not updating DNS: After transfer, your DNS settings might not carry over. If you don’t re-add them, your website and email could go down.
  • Transferring too soon: Nominet requires the domain to be at least 60 days old. If it’s younger, the transfer will be rejected.

Tips

  • Do it before renewal: Transferring a domain doesn’t extend your registration period (unlike gTLDs). It’s best to transfer well before your renewal date to avoid any lapse.
  • Keep your contact email updated: Make sure the email on file with Hostinger is current, as you may receive notifications about the transfer.
  • Back up your DNS records: Before starting, export or note down all your DNS records (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.) so you can recreate them at the new provider if needed.
  • Use the same provider for all services: If you have hosting with Hostinger, consider transferring the domain after you’ve set up hosting elsewhere, or keep the domain with Hostinger and just change the nameservers – you don’t have to transfer the domain to change hosting.
  • Test after transfer: After the transfer completes, test your website and email to ensure everything works. If something’s broken, check DNS propagation and your new provider’s settings.

Troubleshooting

The IPS tag change fails or is rejected. This can happen if the domain is less than 60 days old, has a pending dispute, or is suspended. Contact Hostinger support to ask for the exact reason. If it’s a lock issue, remove the lock and try again.

The domain doesn’t appear at the new provider after 24 hours. First, check the IPS tag was entered correctly. If it was, contact your new provider’s support and ask if they’ve received the domain. If they haven’t, contact Hostinger to confirm the tag change was submitted to Nominet. Sometimes there’s a delay due to Nominet processing times.

You can’t find the IPS tag field in Hostinger. The location may vary depending on the hPanel version. Try searching your domain’s settings for “IPS” or “Transfer out.” If you still can’t find it, contact Hostinger support directly – they can change the IPS tag for you if you provide the new tag.

Your website goes down after the transfer. This usually means your DNS records weren’t copied. Log in to your new provider’s DNS manager and manually add the records you backed up. If you didn’t back them up, you can use a DNS lookup tool to find your current records (if they’re still live) or check your hosting provider’s control panel.

Email stops working. The MX records are part of DNS, so if they didn’t transfer, email will fail. Re-add your MX records at the new provider. Also, if you use email hosting (e.g., Google Workspace), you may need to re-verify domain ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need an EPP code to transfer a .uk domain?
A: No. .uk domains don’t use EPP codes. The transfer is done by changing the IPS tag at Nominet.

Q: How long does a .uk domain transfer take?
A: Typically 1-2 hours, but it can take up to 24 hours for the tag change to propagate. The whole process is usually complete within a day.

Q: Does transferring a .uk domain extend my registration period?
A: No. Unlike .com or .net, .uk domains do not get an extra year added when transferred. Your renewal date remains the same.

Q: Can I transfer my domain if it’s about to expire?
A: Yes, but it’s risky. If it expires during the transfer, you may lose the domain. It’s best to renew first or transfer at least a week before expiry.

Q: What is an IPS tag?
A: IPS (Internet Provider Security) tag is a unique identifier for a registrar that handles .uk domain registrations. Changing it to your new provider’s tag initiates the transfer.

Q: Can I transfer a .uk domain to any registrar?
A: Not all registrars support .uk domains. You’ll need to choose a registrar that is accredited by Nominet and offers .uk domain transfers.

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