Transfer a domain to Lovable

1. 1

   Make sure you are on a paid plan and are a workspace owner or admin.

   These are necessary permissions and account requirements to start a domain transfer.

2. 2

   Gather your current domain's DNS records from your existing provider.

   Lovable tries to copy your records, but having a backup ensures nothing is missed and your website and email continue to work correctly.

3. 3

   Check your domain's status at your current provider: it must be older than 60 days, unlocked, and have DNSSEC disabled.

   These are common requirements from domain authorities (like ICANN) that prevent transfers if not met.

4. 4

   Get the authorization code (also called EPP or transfer code) from your current domain provider.

   This is a security code required to approve the transfer from your current provider to Lovable.

5. 5

   Go to 'Workspace settings' in Lovable, then 'Workspace domains', and click 'Transfer in'.

   This is where you initiate the transfer process within Lovable.

6. 6

   Enter your main domain (like 'example.com', not 'blog.example.com') and click 'Check'.

   Lovable will verify if your domain meets all the transfer requirements before you proceed.

7. 7

   Fill in the transfer form with your authorization code, contact details, and choose which existing DNS records Lovable should copy.

   This provides Lovable with the necessary information to complete the transfer and set up your domain correctly.

8. 8

   Click 'Continue to checkout' (or 'Continue' if free) and complete the payment.

   This officially starts the transfer process, and Lovable will begin working with your old provider to move the domain.

9. 9

   After the transfer is complete (usually 5-7 days), check your DNS records in 'Workspace settings → Workspace domains' and add any missing ones.

   Even though Lovable copies records, a manual check ensures all services linked to your domain (like email) continue to function perfectly.

10. 10

    If your domain wasn't already connected to a Lovable project, connect it from your project's settings or by asking Lovable in the project chat.

    This links your newly transferred domain to your website or application hosted on Lovable.

I want to transfer my existing domain, example.com, to Lovable. I have a paid plan and am an admin. I've gathered my DNS records, unlocked the domain, disabled DNSSEC, and have my authorization code. Please guide me through the steps to complete the transfer and connect it to my project.

Registrar

A company that sells and manages domain names, like Lovable or GoDaddy. They keep track of who owns which domain.

DNS records

These are like a phone book for the internet. They tell computers where to find your website, email, and other online services linked to your domain name.

Root domain

The main part of your domain name, like 'example.com'. It's the base address for your website.

Subdomain

An address that comes before your main domain, like 'blog.example.com' or 'shop.example.com'. It's a section of your main domain.

ICANN

A global organization that coordinates the internet's naming system, including domain names. They set many of the rules for how domains are registered and transferred.

DNSSEC

A security feature for DNS records that helps protect against fake websites or email. It's like a digital signature for your domain's internet phone book entries.

Authorization code (EPP code/transfer code)

A special, one-time password given by your current domain provider that proves you own the domain and authorize its transfer to another provider.

WHOIS privacy protection

A service that hides your personal contact information (like your name, address, and email) from public databases when someone looks up your domain name.

Nameservers

These are special servers that direct internet traffic for your domain. They tell browsers where to go to find your website or email.

• Trying to transfer a domain that was registered or transferred less than 60 days ago, as this is against ICANN rules.
• Forgetting to unlock your domain at your current provider, which will block the transfer.
• Not disabling DNSSEC at your current provider before starting the transfer, which can cause the transfer to fail.
• Using an incorrect authorization code, leading to transfer failure and delays.
• Not having a backup of your DNS records, which might lead to missing settings for your website or email after the transfer.
• Attempting to transfer a subdomain instead of the root domain, as only root domains can be transferred.
• Expecting a free transfer when your domain isn't already with the same registrar Lovable uses.
• Forgetting to connect the transferred domain to your Lovable project if it wasn't already connected to a Lovable subdomain before the transfer.