Domain and custom email address transfer questions

I am transferring a domain to the new website I have built for my organization on squarespace. I am not very knowledgeable about how domains work.

We previously used Wix for our website and Dreamhost for domain registration. We are transferring the domain to squarespace now.

For the most part I have figured out the domain transfer and it is in progress. I am still unclear however what happens to the custom email address. It is supported by Wix mailboxes.

Will the email address transfer along with the domain? Will there be any interruption to access, and will it change the way we log into the email?

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

Not too helpful for you, I know, but have the same query. I don't really understand all that about DNS settings to keep existing email address as me@mydomain.com. Current domain and email provider is giving conflicting information if I can keep their email hosting services as their own website says I lose all access to my email account if I cancel the website although the transfer is in process. Worried about transferring existing email contacts and archive to another provider and timing a transfer, don't really care for Google and have no need for all the Workspace functions as am a one man band. Can someone on forum point to a simple solution?!

Hi everyone, 

I'd like to start by clarifying that when you transfer a domain to be hosted by Squarespace, this doesn’t automatically transfer your email hosting to Squarespace as well. Domain and email hosting are two different services. 

If you already have a custom email address setup for your domain, you can keep it with the company through which you set this service up if you would like. While transferring your domain to Squarespace you were given the option to transfer your email account’s MX records (the records responsible for handling your email), which allow you to keep using the email service. However, you will need to make sure that you keep the email service active with your provider, so you can be able to keep using it. As a note, if you keep the email service with them, you’ll still manage your email account with your original provider.

Before transferring your domain to Squarespace, we always recommend contacting your current email provider to ensure that there won’t be any restrictions or issues by moving to Squarespace. We also recommend backing up any essential emails, contacts, or settings you may need.

There might be some downtime on your email during the transfer. Check this FAQ on our help center more specifics. 

To stop using your email provider and move your email account to Squarespace, you can create a Google Workspace account that’s managed through your Squarespace site. This allows you to keep the same email address, but creates an entirely new account with new inboxes and billing managed by Squarespace. There are more details on this setup in this help article. 

For any further questions you might have about this, feel free to reach to Squarespace Customer Support for personalized assistance.