To move a domain from Bluehost to Host Dada, turn off Domain Lock in the Bluehost portal and request the authorisation (EPP) code, which Bluehost emails to the domain's registrant. For a .co.uk or .uk domain, change the IPS tag to Host Dada's tag, HOSTDADA, instead.
Before you start
- 60-day rule: Bluehost can't release a .com-type domain within 60 days of registration or a previous transfer, or within 60 days of a change of registrant (ownership).
- Registrant email: Bluehost sends the authorisation code to the domain's registrant email address, which may not be your Bluehost login email. Check it's an address you can receive, and update it in the domain's contact details first if not.
- Moving your website too? Bluehost uses cPanel, so we can usually move your site and email for you. See Migrate from any cPanel host.
.com, .net, .org and other domains: unlock and get the code
- Sign in to Bluehost at my.bluehost.com and choose Domains in the left-hand menu.
- Select the domain. On its Overview tab, find the Domain Lock card and switch the lock off.
- Request the code. Open the Move & Access tab (or use the Request Auth Code link that appears after unlocking) and select Request Auth Code.
- Confirm. Choose a reason, then Continue, Continue With Transfer and Send Auth Code.
- Check the registrant's inbox. Bluehost emails the code to the registrant address. It can take up to 24 hours to arrive.
Bluehost's own guides: EPP / auth code and Transfer your domain to another registrar. Bluehost updates its screens from time to time, so follow its guide if the labels look different.
.uk domains: change the IPS tag to HOSTDADA
.uk domains (.co.uk, .uk, .org.uk, .me.uk and others) don't use authorisation codes. Instead, Bluehost changes the domain's IPS tag to Host Dada's tag, HOSTDADA, and the domain moves across. Order the transfer at Host Dada first (see below) so we can match it to your account.
- Sign in to Bluehost, choose Domains and select the .uk domain.
- Turn Domain Lock off on the domain's Overview tab.
- Select Change IPS Tag, enter
HOSTDADAand choose Transfer Domain.
Bluehost's guide: Change IPS tag and transfer .uk domains.
Complete the transfer to Host Dada
-
Order the transfer. Go to Transfer in a Domain (or Domains → Transfer in a Domain in the Client Area), enter your domain under Domain Name and click Order Now.
Start the transfer in the Host Dada Client Area.
- Paste the authorisation code into the Authorization Code box when asked. Codes are case-sensitive, so copy and paste rather than typing. (.uk domains don't ask for a code.)
- Check the nameservers and check out. If checkout shows nameserver boxes, they're filled in with the Host Dada nameservers. Keep them if your website and email are with us, or enter your current nameservers if they're staying elsewhere for now. For most .com-type domains, the transfer adds a year to the registration.
- Approve and wait. Bluehost may email you to approve the transfer. Approving it speeds things up. Otherwise .com-type transfers usually complete within 5 to 7 days. For a .uk domain, change the IPS tag as described above and it usually arrives within a few hours.
- Check everything once it arrives. The domain appears under Domains → My Domains. Check auto-renew is on and the Contact Information is correct.
Settings at a glance
| What | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Dada IPS tag (.uk domains) | HOSTDADA |
| Host Dada nameservers | ns1.kandekore.net, ns2.kandekore.net, ns3.kandekore.net, ns4.kandekore.net |
| Start a transfer | my.hostdada.co.uk → Transfer in a Domain |
Troubleshooting
The auth code email never arrived
It goes to the domain's registrant email, not necessarily your Bluehost login. Check the contact details on the domain in Bluehost (and your spam folder). Allow up to 24 hours before requesting it again.
Bluehost won't let me transfer yet
The domain is probably within a 60-day lock (new registration, recent transfer or change of registrant), or Domain Lock is still on. Bluehost shows the reason on the domain's page.
My Bluehost email stopped
Email hosted by Bluehost stops when your Bluehost hosting ends. Before you cancel, plan where your email will live, for example Host Dada Email or Microsoft 365 through Host Dada, and ask us to move it.
Last reviewed: October 2026
