Knowledgebase

Purpose

To guide administrators on how to change an email account name in cPanel.
⚠️ Note: cPanel does not support direct renaming of email accounts. The process involves creating a new account and migrating data.

Scope

This applies to all cPanel hosting accounts where email accounts are managed via Email Accounts.

Procedure

Step 1: Access cPanel

1. Open your browser

2. Go to:

    

   https://yourdomain:2083

    

   Example:

    

   https://mywebdev.co.zw:2083 as shown in the attached screenshot

    

   

    

3. Log in using your cPanel credentials

    

    

Step 2: Navigate to Email Accounts

1. Scroll to the Email section

2. Click Email Accounts

Step 3: Create the New Email Account

1. Click + Create

2. Enter the new email username (e.g., panashe)

✅ You have now created the new email account

Step 4: Prepare Mailbox for Migration

1. Go to File Manager

2. Navigate to:

    

   /home/username/mail/domain/

    

   Example:

    

   /mail/mywebdev.co.zw/

    

   

    

3. Confirm both folders exist:

   • Old account (e.g., michael)

   • New account (e.g., panashe)

Step 5: Copy Email Data

1. Open the old email folder (e.g., michael)

2. Select all files and folders:

   • cur

   • new

   • tmp

   • and all dovecot files

3. Click Copy

4. Enter destination:

    

   /mail/domain/newemail/

    

   Example:

    

   /mail/mywebdev.co.zw/panashe

    

   

    

5. Click Copy Files

Step 6: Verify Migration

1. Go to Email Accounts

2. Click Check Email for:

    

   [email protected]

    

3. Confirm the following:

   • Mailbox size reflects expected data tallies

   • Emails are visible

   • Folder structure (Inbox, Sent, Drafts, etc.) is intact

Important Notes

• Email renaming is not native in cPanel

• This method ensures:

  • No data loss

  • Continuity of service

• Permissions and ownership are handled automatically by cPanel