How to move your domain's DNS to UnderDNS
Move a domain's DNS to UnderDNS from CustomerPanel without downtime: scan your current records or import a zone file, review them, then switch the nameservers. Includes Cloudflare and cPanel notes.
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Moving a domain to UnderDNS happens in two parts: first your current records are copied into a new UnderDNS zone, then the domain's nameservers are switched. Nothing changes for your website or email until you confirm, so the move can be done without downtime.
Before you start
- Know where the domain's DNS is today (your registrar, a cPanel server, Cloudflare, another provider). The DNS Propagation Checker shows the current nameservers.
- If you can, export a zone file from the current provider. It is the most complete copy (see below).
- Registrar email forwarding and URL redirects stop working once the domain leaves the registrar's DNS. Set up real mailboxes or a redirect on your hosting first if you use them.
Choose how to bring your records over
| Method | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Import a zone file (recommended) | Reads the .txt zone file exported from your current DNS provider, or text you paste | The most complete copy, including Cloudflare and cPanel |
| Import from your registrar | Copies every record from the registrar's DNS in one click (when the domain uses its registrar's DNS) | Domains registered and managed with UnderHost |
| Scan my current DNS | Looks up the records answering today: www, mail, DKIM, SPF, verification codes and about 120 common names | When no export is available |
| Start empty | Creates an empty zone; you add records yourself | New domains or a fresh start |
DNS has no "list all records" query, so a scan finds common names only. Unusual subdomains will be missed. When the domain is behind Cloudflare, a scan sees Cloudflare's proxy addresses instead of your server's real IP. Use a zone file whenever you can.
Step by step
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Open DNS Management for the domain
In CustomerPanel, go to Domains → My Domains, click the domain, then choose DNS Management. The page shows Host this domain's DNS on UnderDNS.
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Bring your records over
Click Import a zone file and choose or paste the file, or use one of the other methods above.
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Review the records
Every record found is listed with its type, value and priority. Untick anything you do not want. You can edit everything later too.
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Create the zone
Click Create zone with the selected records. Tick Switch the nameservers to UnderDNS right away if the domain is registered with UnderHost and you are ready; otherwise switch later from the same page.
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Switch the nameservers
If the domain is registered with UnderHost, click Switch to ns1.underdns.net / ns2.underdns.net on the DNS Management page. If it is registered elsewhere, set those two nameservers at your registrar (how to change nameservers).
Moving from Cloudflare
In Cloudflare open the domain, then DNS → Records → Import and Export → Export. The exported file contains your real server IPs, not the proxy addresses, so it is the right source. Import it on the DNS Management page.
Once the nameservers point to UnderDNS, Cloudflare's proxy, CDN and firewall no longer apply to the domain. Visitors connect to your server directly.
Moving from cPanel DNS
cPanel creates mail, DKIM and SSL validation records for you, so domains hosted on cPanel are usually best left on the server's DNS. If support asked you to move it, download the zone file from cPanel → Zone Editor → Manage and import it so nothing is missed. See Managing DNS records with cPanel Zone Editor.
After the switch
- Most networks follow the new nameservers within a few hours; some take up to 48. During that time both the old and new DNS answer, which is why the records must match. More in What is DNS propagation.
- Check the NS records with the DNS Propagation Checker, and email with the Email Deliverability Checker.
- Keep the old DNS provider's records for a few days before deleting them.
Starting over or going back
Before the nameservers are switched, Start over removes the new UnderDNS zone so you can scan, import a zone file or start empty again. Nothing changes for your domain.
After the switch, going back is a nameserver change: set the old nameservers again, from the domain's Nameservers tab or at your registrar.
Related: What is UnderDNS? | Managing DNS records on UnderDNS | How to change your domain's nameservers | What is DNS propagation?
Want us to move it for you?
Open a ticket with the domain name and where its DNS is today. We will copy the records and tell you when it is ready to switch.
