How to Backup Rackspace Email Accounts

Leena Taylor Paul
Updated: May 10, 2026 • Backup • 7 Min Read

Summary: Back up Rackspace email by connecting your account to a desktop client over IMAP. The same IMAP method also works to back up GoDaddy email accounts and other hosted webmail services. The server is secure.emailsrvr.com on port 993 with SSL.

Sync the mailbox to Mozilla Thunderbird and enable offline storage to save messages as MBOX.
Add the account to Outlook desktop and run File > Open & Export > Import/Export to a PST file.
Use a dedicated Rackspace backup tool to export to PST, EML, MBOX, MSG, or PDF in one job.

Why Backup Rackspace Email Accounts?

Rackspace Email is a paid business mailbox hosted by Rackspace Technology. Mailboxes live on Rackspace’s servers, and the official web client offers no built-in “Export all mail” button.

As a result, a local backup matters in several cases. Common reasons include account lockout, billing issues that cut off access, accidental deletion, migration to Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, and compliance rules that require mail on your own storage.

Once your mail sits on your computer in PST, EML, MBOX, or PDF, you can open it offline. In addition, you can import it into another mailbox at any time.

Rackspace IMAP Server Settings You Need First

Every method below uses the same connection details. Therefore, set them up once and reuse them:

Incoming (IMAP): secure.emailsrvr.com, port 993, SSL/TLS
Outgoing (SMTP): secure.emailsrvr.com, port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS)
Username: your full Rackspace email address
Password: your Rackspace mailbox password (App Passwords are not required)

Tip: If you use two-factor authentication on the Rackspace admin portal, that does not change the IMAP password. The IMAP connection still uses the regular mailbox password.

Method 1: Backup Rackspace Email to MBOX with Thunderbird

This is the free, cross-platform option. Mozilla Thunderbird runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It stores synced mail as MBOX files inside your profile folder.

Steps to Sync Rackspace into Thunderbird

First, install Thunderbird and open Account Settings > Account Actions > Add Mail Account.
Next, enter your name, Rackspace email address, and password. Click Configure manually.
Then set incoming to IMAP, server secure.emailsrvr.com, port 993, SSL/TLS, normal password.
Set outgoing to SMTP, server secure.emailsrvr.com, port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS), normal password.
Click Done and let Thunderbird verify the credentials.
Right-click each folder you want a permanent copy of. Choose Properties > Synchronization and tick Select this folder for offline use.
Finally, let the initial download finish. The mail now sits in your Thunderbird profile under ImapMail/secure.emailsrvr.com/.

Limitation: IMAP keeps the local copy in sync with the server. As a result, a deletion on Rackspace removes the local message too, unless you first move it to a Local Folder in Thunderbird.

Method 2: Export Rackspace Email to PST with Outlook Desktop

If you have Outlook 2016, 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365 installed, you can produce a single PST file. The export includes every folder and attachment.

Steps to Export to PST

First, in Outlook desktop, go to File > Add Account and choose Manual setup or additional server types.
Next, select POP or IMAP. Enter your Rackspace address and the IMAP and SMTP settings from above.
Let Outlook finish the initial sync. Wait until the status bar says All folders are up to date.
Then go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
Choose Export to a file, then Outlook Data File (.pst).
Select your Rackspace account at the top of the folder list and tick Include subfolders.
Finally, browse to a save location (an external drive is ideal). Name the file rackspace-backup-2026.pst and click Finish.

Method 3: Use a Dedicated Rackspace Backup Tool

A dedicated tool is the easiest route in three cases. First, you may not have Outlook installed. Next, you may need an output format other than PST or MBOX. Finally, you may want to back up several Rackspace mailboxes in one job.

EmailBakup connects to Rackspace over IMAP and saves your mailbox in PST, EML, MBOX, MSG, or PDF. It also pushes the data into Gmail, Microsoft 365, or another IMAP host in a single step.

Steps with EmailBakup

First, download and install EmailBakup for Windows or macOS.
Next, click Add Account and choose Other IMAP from the provider list.
Then enter your full Rackspace email address and password. Set the IMAP server to secure.emailsrvr.com.
Once the folder tree loads, tick the folders you want to back up (Inbox, Sent, Archive, custom folders).
Click Export and pick an output format (PST, EML, MBOX, MSG, or PDF).
Alternatively, choose the Email Account destination (such as Gmail or Microsoft 365) and supply its credentials.

Related Reading:

Which Method Should You Choose?

Want a free, ongoing local mirror on any OS: use Method 1 (Thunderbird MBOX).
Already use Outlook desktop and want a single PST archive: use Method 2 (PST export).
Need PDF, MSG, or per-folder EML, or multiple Rackspace mailboxes in one job: use Method 3 (dedicated tool).
Plan to push data directly into another cloud account: Method 3 is still the best fit.

Common Errors and Fixes

Authentication failed for secure.emailsrvr.com

This usually means a wrong password or a locked mailbox. First, sign in at the Rackspace webmail page to confirm the password works. If you see a captcha or lockout, reset the password and retry the client.

Folders missing in Thunderbird after first sync

Some Rackspace folders stay unsubscribed by default. Therefore, right-click the account in Thunderbird and choose Subscribe. Then tick every folder you want and click OK.

PST export errors with “0x8004010F”

Outlook usually shows this when the data file is still building. As a result, you should wait for the status bar to read All folders are up to date. Then restart Outlook and rerun the Import/Export wizard.

Backup tool times out on large mailboxes

Rackspace throttles IMAP at high request rates. Therefore, run the backup overnight, split it by folder, or reduce parallel connections to one. Most tools expose this in advanced settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rackspace offer a built-in export option?

No. The Rackspace webmail interface does not include a one-click export. Therefore, you must use IMAP, Outlook desktop, or a third-party tool.

What is the Rackspace IMAP server?

The incoming IMAP server is secure.emailsrvr.com on port 993 with SSL/TLS. The outgoing SMTP server is the same host on port 465 (SSL) or 587 (STARTTLS).

How long does a Rackspace backup take?

Over IMAP, plan on roughly 1 GB per 30 to 45 minutes. The exact time depends on your bandwidth and how many large attachments you have. In contrast, a PST export from a fully synced Outlook desktop is much faster because the data is already local.

Can I back up multiple Rackspace mailboxes at once?

With Thunderbird or Outlook, you would add each mailbox as a separate account and back them up one at a time. However, EmailBakup supports adding multiple IMAP accounts and exporting them in a single job.

Will deleting messages on Rackspace remove them from my backup?

A PST or PDF backup made with Method 2 or Method 3 is independent of the server. As a result, deletions on Rackspace do not affect it. However, an IMAP mirror in Thunderbird will reflect deletions unless you move messages to a Local Folder.