How to transfer a domain from GoDaddy to Namecheap and vice versa in a simple step by step process with screenshots to assist further
GoDaddy and Namecheap are two popular domain registrars. So let me share with you how to move the domain out of one to another and vice versa.
GoDaddy to Namecheap
First, we will do a domain transfer from GoDaddy to Namecheap. If you are fed up with the GoDaddy upsell and other such offers, here is how to move a domain out of GoDaddy into Namecheap.
The process is fairly simple and we can complete the transfer of a domain from GoDaddy into Namecheap in 3 steps.
Step 1. Unlock Domain and Get Transfer Authorization code in GoDaddy
Log in to your GoDaddy account and visit the Domain control. Visit the domain you want to transfer out of GoDaddy into Namecheap.
Unlock the domain if you see it as Locked. See 1 in the screenshot above. If the domain is locked, click manage to unlock the domain.
Once the domain is unlocked, click on the Send by Email link near the Authorization code to get the authorization code for your domain. Soon, you will get the following email from GoDaddy on your domain’s administrative contact email and it will contain the authorization code that one can use for domain transfer.
Now you are ready to transfer the domain out of GoDaddy. So we move over to Namecheap and initiate the transfer.
Step 2. Initiate the Transfer from Namecheap
Now you can transfer the domain to any other registrar of your choice. All you have to be doing is initiate the transfer process and add the domain authorization code we have from step 1.
Visit Namecheap.com, click on the domain transfer link under the domains menu. Now enter the domain name and proceed to payment. It will ask for the EPP code for domain transfer. It is the authorization code that we have from GoDaddy for the domain. Each domain’s EPP or Authorization code is unique and different. So if you are transferring multiple domains, make sure you enter the code for each domain correctly.
Once you have made the payment for renewal, the transfer request will start and you should expect a series of emails from both the domain registrar.
However, the only email that we should be concerned about is the transfer acceptance email.
Step 3. Accept Domain Transfer Request
There will be a payment receipt email from Namecheap. However, there will be a third party email that will allow the transfer of the domain from GoDaddy to Namecheap. It will take a few moments before you get this email.
You should see the following looking email. All you have to do is click the link and Approve the transfer.
See the text I have underlined in Green. Ideally, you can do nothing and the transfer will complete in 5 days. However, you can visit your GoDaddy Domain control panel and accept the pending transfers to transfer the domain immediately to Namecheap.
After you accept the transfer you will get a final confirmation email from GoDaddy.
All done from your end but at times it may take some time for the domain to show up in the list of domains in the Namecheap interface.
NameCheap to GoDaddy
Do you have a domain registered in Namecheap and want to transfer it to GoDaddy? Let me share the step by step process to transfer a domain from NameCheap into GoDaddy.
Note: Before we can begin the transfer, make sure the contact details especially the administrative contact email for the domain is correct and it is your email. If the contact details are not correct, make the necessary changes before proceeding further.
Step 1. Unlock Domain in Namecheap and get the EPP Code
Unlock the domain for transfer. In NameCheap, you can find that information under the Registrar Lock Option from the left navigation.
Once you have unlocked the domain you can transfer it to other registrars like GoDaddy.
Also note, once you have unlocked the domain, it makes sense to get the EPP code or transfer code for the domain transfer right away. Click the Get EPP Code link (as we can see in the screenshot above).
Namecheap will send an email to the administrative email for the domain. Once you have the email, proceed to step 2.
Step 2. Initiate Domain Transfer in GoDaddy
Visit in.Godaddy.com, click on the domain transfer link under the domains menu.
Now enter the domain name and proceed to pay. Once the payment is confirmed you will have few emails.
Let them be as they are and visit the domain control center of GoDaddy and Select the Pending Transfer Menu.
Click on the Authorize link and it will ask for Transaction ID and security code.
You will find them in one of the emails that GoDaddy sent you just after making payment for your order.
The subject line will be “Transfer of DOMAIN.COM – Action Required“. This email is sent to the Administrative contact email for the domain you are transferring and not to your GoDaddy Email.
After you enter the Transaction ID and security code, you can proceed to step 2 and it will ask for the Authorization Code, which is the EPP code, generated in NameCheap.
Once the authorization code is accepted, you should see the following message.
Step 3. Accept the Transfer (Optional)
In a few minutes, you should have an email for accepting the domain transfer request where you don’t need to do anything and the transfer request will complete in five days. However, one can instantly accept the transfer request to complete the transfer ASAP and renew the domain.
Once accepted, it may take some time for the domain to show up in the list of your domains in GoDaddy.
Can I Transfer Domain on The Last Day of Expiry?
The answer is Yes and No. Technically one can but practically one shouldn’t.
Yes, you can transfer a domain to another registrar even before a few hours of expiry because normally the transfer of domains can be completed in a few hours.
However, the registrar from where you are transferring the domain out can take a lot more time than actually needed. Normally transfer requests can be approved within 5 days.
So if they take a couple of days to approve the transfer (which normally should not be the case unless a holiday), you have the risk of losing the domain.
Ideally, one should transfer the domain with few days of buffer in hand. So, unless it is a must, do not transfer the domain registrar in the last week of expiry.
