Hosting guide · Domains + hosting

Moving from IONOS (1&1)

Three ways to do it. Most people pick the first one: about 10 minutes, and nothing goes down while it switches over.

Never send us your password. Every option below uses IONOS (1&1)'s own invite or settings screens, so you stay in control and can remove us any time.

1. Point your domain to us Recommended

Your domain stays at IONOS (1&1) (you keep paying them for it). We host the new site. You just swap two settings.

Before you start: we'll email you two nameservers that look like xxxx.ns.cloudflare.com. Have that email open.

IONOS account > Domains, find the domain
Click the gear icon in Actions > Name Server
Choose Use Custom Name Servers, enter Cloudflare nameservers in Name Server 1 and 2
Click Save (up to 48 hours; Reset Settings restores IONOS defaults)

Official help page: www.ionos.com/help/domains/using-your-own-name-servers/using-your-own-

Changes usually show up within a few hours, at most 24 to 48. Your old site keeps working until the switch finishes.

2. Move your domain to us

We take over the domain itself, so you get one bill (ours) for website, hosting and domain. It stays registered in your name and we renew it at cost.

Open Domains > Renewal & Transfer page
Select the domain and turn off the Domain transfer lock (generic TLDs locked by default)
Click Show Authorization Code (may take several minutes)
Give us the code; start transfer at Cloudflare

Timing: .com .net .org .info .biz .mobi .cc .tv must be registered under your name 60 days before transfer. Article does not mention approval emails or privacy.

Then send us: the authorization code (also called the EPP or transfer code). Paste it in your dashboard or reply to our email. Don't post it anywhere public.

Official help page: www.ionos.com/help/domains/transferring-your-domain-away-from-ionos-to

3. Keep IONOS (1&1), let us in to fix or rebuild

Best if you only want fixes or a rebuild and want to stay on IONOS (1&1). You invite us; we never need your login.

IONOS (1&1) calls it: UNVERIFIED for domains/web hosting. Official docs found only for Cloud Panel roles and Data Center Designer user groups (cloud servers). · Choose:

Invite this email: hello@advancingwebsites.com

No official IONOS Help page confirming how to grant a collaborator access to a domain/web-hosting contract was found
Fallback: you change DNS/nameservers themselves from our instructions, or shares credentials temporarily and change password afterwards (your choice)

Official help page: www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/cloud-panel-management/

Good to know about IONOS (1&1)

Nameserver method works only for root domains; subdomains need NS records.
IONOS DNS records are invisible once custom nameservers are in use; recreate MX etc. first.
The separate 'get authorization code' article does not describe an unlock step; use the Renewal & Transfer page.

Heads up: we couldn't confirm every step here from IONOS (1&1)'s own help pages. If a screen looks different, send us a screenshot and we'll walk you through it.

Stuck?

Reply to any email from us, or send a note with a screenshot of what you see. We'll walk you through it, or hop on a quick call.

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Steps checked against IONOS (1&1)'s official help pages in October 2026. Screens change sometimes; if something looks different, tell us and we'll update this guide.