IMAP

Backup Synology Mail Server Email – Complete Tutorial

You can use the Hyper Backup tool to backup your Synology MailPlus server emails and system configuration settings. IMAP is also a good option to export your Synology emails. There are other ways that I am going to explain in this blog, “backup Synology Mail Server Email”.

Your mailbox data is stored in NAS drives inside the application-managed mail storage directories, which are usually hidden. You can interact with Synology email on your Windows or Mac using the desktop email client. If you use NAS, then you can find your Synology emails in one of the hard drives in the hidden Maildir folder. But, if you set up in Windows or any OS, you can find them in the email client location. For example, configure Synology mail with Microsoft Outlook.

Why Backup Synology Mail Server Email?

To know why it is important to create backup of Synology MailPlus. Below, I have provided multiple reasons.

• Failures of the mechanical or SSD drive may corrupt your MailPlus database
• There is a chance that multiple drives may fail, which causes a complete crash and makes it impossible to recover Maildir files.
• You mistakenly delete your Synology emails when managing them.
• Organizations need to follow standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, or financial regulations where they need to retain the email backup.
• When replacing the NAS drive, taking a backup of emails make it restore the email services faster.
• By backing up your MailPlus, you can, it support disaster recovery planning.

So, it is very important to backup your Synology MailPlus to protect from accidental email deletion and other issues..

Not only can you export emails, but you can also export other data from MailPlus. Emails and mailboxes are the obvious, but other than that, you can backup mail system configuration and DSM accounts that are tied to the mail server. Now, get ready as I am going to explain different ways to backup Synology mail server.

Export Synology MailPlus with Hyper Backup Option

The Hyper Backup tool is a native option to export your emails from the Synology NAS. You can download from the official Synology package center and use it to copy your mail system configuration

1. After downloading it, open the tool. Click the + button at the top left corner.
2. Choose Folders and Packages as the type of backup. Click the Remote NAS device as backup destination.
3. Your destination NAS must have MailPlus and Hyper Backup Vault installed.
4. Follow the instructions to provide the settings. When they ask, click Synology MailPlus Server for backup.

This will backup your domain, mail delivery, service, security, auditing, and account. This method is for those who use a NAS device, if your Synology is configured with another email client. Then, use this next method to export your emails.

One-Way Sync Option to Backup Mailbox

With the help of Shared Folder Sync, you can backup large number of mailboxes and emails.

1. In the source NAS Control panel, click on File Services.
2. Select Advanced and Shared Folder Sync.
3. Create a sync task for the shared folder.

Don’t use Cloud Station Server, Cloud Sync, or Synology Drive to backup your MailPlus emails. This may corrupt your data because of compatibility issues.

Backup DSM Accounts

You can save a copy of the DSM accounts if the MailPlus user type is configured to local users and set up DSM configuration backups.

1. Go to the Control Panel and then Update & Restore.
2. Click on Configuration backup, then Enable automatic DSM configuration backup.
3. Select an encryption mode for your backup data.
4. Apply the saved settings. Then, the DSM configurations will be backed up and uploaded to Synology account.

Manually Use IMAP to Export Synology Emails

1. Go to your Synology MailPlus or Mail Station settings. Enable IMAP protocol.
2. Then, run any IMAP email client. Go to the Account Settings.
3. Select the Add new Account option. Provide these details.
   1. Account Type: IMAP
   2. Incoming Host name: your Synology NAS hostname, domain, or local IP address.
   3. Port: 993 (SSL) or 143 (Standard)
   4. Username and password.
4. After you have properly configured your Synology mail account. Export your emails.

There is a direct option to backup MailPlus server using the IMAP server.

Direct Backup MailPlus Server with IMAP

Instead of using an email client to export your emails. Try FreeViewer Email Backup Software, a specialized software that can easily backup emails from any IMAP-enabled account. With this, you can save your emails from the Synology mail server to your local formats like PST, EML, MBOX, etc. Below are the steps of the software.

Working Guide of Professional Tool

1. Download and install the software on your device.
2. Choose the IMAP option as the source platform. Select the format you want your emails in. Then, click Email category.
3. You can apply a date filter to back up selective emails.
4. Provide the details of the Synology email account. Click Next.
5. Browse a location where you want your files stored and choose a file size.
6. Add a user account from Fetch Users and Import Users. Then, click Start Migration.

Practices for Smooth Backup of Synology Mail Server Email

These methods are helpful to backup your MailPlus server. However, there are certain practices you must follow during the procedure.

• To backup your Mail Server application package, Hyper Backup is a nice option as it exports domains, aliases, security certificates, and SMTP routing rules.
• Include the shared folder in your backup task, as that’s where your emails are usually.
• Don’t ever use Synology Drive, Cloud Station, or Cloud sync for active mail databases.
• Schedule your task at a time when there is the least email activity so that you can minimize transaction volumes during the process.
• Regularly verify your backup task.
• Before you recover your data from an actual disaster, perform a test restoration.

To Be Conclude

If you are using the Synology MailPlus server or Mail Station and want to backup the emails. Follow the methods that I mentioned. Use the Hyper Backup, One-way Sync option to export your mails to the NAS. You can also export your Synology mail to other devices by enabling IMAP. Don’t forget to follow the practices to make your work easier.