FAQs – Cloud Mail Upgrade

What is Cloud Mail Upgrade?

We're thrilled to inform you that a significant upgrade is coming soon for all email users. This automatic update will seamlessly transfer your current email boxes, aliases, folders, calendars, and contacts to an enhanced infrastructure. With a modern design and advanced spam and virus protection, this upgrade ensures greater stability and reliability, alongside the cloud-based storage capabilities you require.

In this article, we'll cover: 

• What Enhancements Can I Expect After the Cloud Mail Upgrade?
• What are the Changes Made After the Cloud Mail Upgrade?
• What steps should I take to prepare for my upgrade?  
• Will my login credentials remain unchanged?
• Will my Webmail Interface remain unchanged?
• Will there be any interruption to my email service during this migration?  
• Is it possible to continue using my third-party email application?  
• Are there any concerns unique to email apps on Apple devices? 
• What steps should I take if I encounter email issues after the migration?  
• Understanding TLS 1.2
• Unsupported Email Applications 

What Enhancements Can I Expect After the Cloud Mail Upgrade? 

• If you're utilizing Hosting email services included in your hosting package, get ready for an updated experience featuring a sleek design and enhanced functionality. Here's what you can look forward to: 
  • Access your email from anywhere with cloud-based accessibility. 
  • Keep all your files in one secure location with cloud-based drive storage. 
• For Professional Mail or Professional Mail Plus users, expect an upgraded interface packed with exciting additions: 
  • Enjoy the convenience of cloud-based email management. 
  • Store your files securely in the cloud for easy access. 
  • Benefit from advanced security measures, including anti-phishing technology. 
  • Simplify your email experience with the one-click Safe Unsubscribe feature. 
  • Best of all, these enhancements come at no extra cost to you.

What are the Changes Made After the Cloud Mail Upgrade? 

Here are the changes we're implementing to enhance security and comply with industry standards: 

• CRAM-MD5 Authentication will no longer be supported. 
• Support for TLS v1.0 and 1.1 will be discontinued. 
• As part of these security updates, your DNS will be modified when we initiate the email upgrade process. 

What steps should I take to prepare for my upgrade?

We do not expect this update to impact most users. However, it is important to review the action items below to ensure that there is no interruption to your services during this upgrade. 

• Verify the contents of your Spam and Trash folders to ensure nothing important is lost, as these folders will not be transferred. 
• If your DNS is managed by another provider, reach out to them to update your DNS settings using the information provided in Cloud Mail DNS Settings. 
• Update your Mail Server Settings and activate TLS v1.2. 
• Configure SMTP Authentication to use Password/Plain authentication. 
• Keep in mind that you might experience occasional sluggishness or connectivity issues during the upgrade process, which is normal.

Will my login credentials remain unchanged?

You'll still access your Professional Email in a familiar manner. However, rather than using just your Username, you'll now be required to input your complete email address for login.

Will my Webmail Interface remain unchanged?

Your Webmail Interface will undergo updates to deliver a contemporary and user-friendly system, fostering a productive environment.

Will there be any interruption to my email service during this migration?

While we're working diligently to minimize downtime and maintain your email access, it's important to note that there will be a brief period during which access to Webmail may be limited in order to successfully complete the migration for each user.

Is it possible to continue using my third-party email application?

Absolutely! The majority of widely used email apps are compatible with TLS 1.2 and will remain functional with the updated cloud email service. However, users may need to adjust settings to ensure connection to a secure server. It's essential to upgrade email apps that do not support TLS 1.2 to maintain compatibility.  

Are there any concerns unique to email apps on Apple devices?

Ensure that SMTP authentication is activated when updating your DNS settings. Unsecured mail settings will no longer be supported.

What steps should I take if I encounter email issues after the migration?

If you encounter any problems with your email following the migration, we recommend referring to the Troubleshooting Email Connection Issues: Unable to Connect on Your Device or Software article for assistance.

Understanding TLS 1.2

TLS (Transport Layer Security) 1.2 stands as a widely embraced security protocol that is vitally important for ensuring privacy and data security during online communications. Its applications range from encrypting data transmissions between web applications and servers, like when loading websites on web browsers or interacting with mail servers through email applications. It's essential to note that our enhanced cloud email service mandates support for TLS 1.2 in mail applications. 

Take a look at the list below detailing Operating Systems compatible with TLS 1.2.

Unsupported Email Applications

Explore the following roster of email applications that lack TLS 1.2 compatibility. Should you utilize any of these applications, it's imperative to upgrade to a newer version or resort to webmail for accessing your emails: 

• Outlook® 2007 
• Outlook® 2010 
• Mac Mail on MacOS 10.8 or earlier 
• Windows 7 
• Thunderbird 68 or earlier

Summary

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the upcoming Cloud Mail upgrade for Bluehost customers. It covers the benefits of the upgrade, what to expect during the migration process, and how to prepare your email applications. Key points include: 

• Improved security and reliability with a sleek, modern design and robust spam and virus protection. 
• Cloud-based storage to access your email from anywhere. 
• Enhanced features for Professional Mail and Professional Mail Plus users, including anti-phishing technology and one-click Safe Unsubscribe. 
• Action items to prepare for the upgrade, such as reviewing spam and trash folders, updating DNS settings, and updating email client settings to enable TLS 1.2. 
• Minimal is downtime expected during the migration. 
• Compatibility requirements for email applications, with a list of incompatible applications that require updates. 
• Email limits for sending and receiving emails, including mailbox size, attachment size, and number of aliases and forwards. 

This FAQ format effectively addresses potential user concerns and ensures a smooth transition to the new Cloud Mail platform.