> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.messagedesk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# From MessageDesk Reach to Inbox

> Migrate from MessageDesk Reach to Inbox with a step-by-step plan. Move contacts, history, and templates with minimal downtime and full team confidence.

# Why migrate from MessageDesk Reach to Inbox by MessageDesk?

Inbox by MessageDesk gives your team a messaging tool built for collaboration, control, and clarity.

* **Broader media support**\
  You don't have to tell users to "just email it." Inbox lets you send and receive PDFs, DOCs, JPEGs, PNGs, GIFs, WEBPs, HEICs, and more. Files larger than \~500 KB automatically convert to links, and Inbox keeps every attachment in one place.
* **Group texting and 1:1 Conversations**\
  Start a 1:1 Conversation or include up to seven recipients in a group text without duplicating effort or context.
* **User access controls and customization**\
  You're not locked into a one-size-fits-all Inbox. Inbox by MessageDesk lets you set up custom user roles and permissions, comment internally, @mention teammates, and tailor Inbox views. Dark mode, custom theming, and saved filters round out a workspace that adapts to how your team works.
* **Better organization and routing**\
  In Inbox by MessageDesk, you can label Conversations freely and filter, route, or assign messages as a unified team.

## Migration time at a glance

* **Total time:** \~5-10 minutes.
* **Who's involved:** An account owner/admin and any teammates who will use Inbox.
* **What moves:** Your existing phone number (after you complete the setup steps).

### What you'll need to migrate your account

* The email address you want to use for your Inbox login.
* A list of teammates to invite (names and emails).

## How to migrate your MessageDesk Reach account

### 1. Log in to your MessageDesk Reach account

Visit [app.messagedesk.com](http://app.messagedesk.com) and log in to your existing account.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/messagedesk-reach-login.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=2d4c95202795334d137e64652a7077de" alt="Messagedesk Reach Login" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/messagedesk-reach-login.png" />
</Frame>

### 2. Visit Settings → Migrate to Inbox by MessageDesk

You may need to scroll in your settings list to view this option.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-settings-migrate.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=6090c718473a500a144612dbddc0bebf" alt="Migration Settings Migrate" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/migration-settings-migrate.png" />
</Frame>

### 3. Click Connect with Inbox by MessageDesk

This begins the account linking process.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-connect-account.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=b48f269ab115725ef2008ec8897f14b8" alt="Migration Connect Account" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/migration-connect-account.png" />
</Frame>

### 4. Create your Inbox account and connect it to your Reach account

Follow the link to **[https://inbox.messagedesk.com/#/create-account](https://inbox.messagedesk.com/#/create-account)**. Create your Inbox by MessageDesk account, or sign in if one already exists.

<Warning>
  **Important:** Be sure to create your new Inbox account using the **same admin email** already associated with your MessageDesk Reach account.
</Warning>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-connect-account-email.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=634ec413e81c895845925ee689c08caf" alt="Migration Connect Account Email" width="3372" height="2002" data-path="images/migration-connect-account-email.png" />
</Frame>

### 5. Migrate your data

Click **Start Data Migration** to begin moving the following data types to your new Inbox by MessageDesk account:

* **Contacts** (including addresses and email information)
* **Messages** (including media attachments)
* **Message templates**
* **Custom fields**
* **Groups** (which become [labels](/settings/workspace-settings/labels) in Inbox by MessageDesk)
* **Opt-out lists** (contacts who have opted out of communication)

<Note>
  Every data type keeps its original structure and metadata.
</Note>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-data.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=ef1ee1740f78eda4ebb56fc0454f0c81" alt="Migration Data" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/migration-data.png" />
</Frame>

### 6. Begin data migration

Click **Start Migration** to begin your data migration.

<Note>
  Data migration runs in the background and doesn't affect your current MessageDesk Reach account.
</Note>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-data-start.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=459f9cec7e5ae1d254719510eb52057f" alt="Migration Data Start" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/migration-data-start.png" />
</Frame>

### 7. Monitor your data migration

You'll receive email notifications from [no-reply@messagedesk.com](mailto:no-reply@messagedesk.com) for each migrated data type. The emails tell you when each migration begins and finishes.

<Note>
  Each migration email also includes any failure notes you can pass to our dev team for investigation.
</Note>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-email-notifications.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=bb9b86268a178770025cc6640b03b81a" alt="Migration Email Notifications" width="1232" height="2020" data-path="images/migration-email-notifications.png" />
</Frame>

### 8. Migrate your phone number

Migrate your phone number from MessageDesk Reach to Inbox by MessageDesk to start sending and receiving messages.

<Warning>
  #### Important information

  * Phone migration is instant.
  * Your MessageDesk Reach app will no longer send or receive texts.
  * Every text message will start running through Inbox by MessageDesk.
  * You can move your number back from Inbox by MessageDesk at any time. Email [**support@messagedesk.com**](mailto:support@messagedesk.com) to start that process.
</Warning>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-phone-number.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=6885512b503be8eca01160b2f4307723" alt="Migration Phone Number" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/migration-phone-number.png" />
</Frame>

<Warning>
  Only account admins can migrate phone numbers from MessageDesk Reach accounts to Inbox by MessageDesk accounts.

  <Frame>
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-admin-only-number-migration.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=197f18e17f1f034a33c7ecaff4ae5a87" alt="Migration Admin Only Number Migration" width="1146" height="736" data-path="images/migration-admin-only-number-migration.png" />
  </Frame>
</Warning>

### 9. Confirm your phone number migration is complete

Verify your phone number migration from your MessageDesk Reach account, then log in to your Inbox by MessageDesk account to confirm there too.

#### Migration complete in MessageDesk Reach

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-phone-complete.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=75e85d699acd1073635451c5762cd23f" alt="Migration Phone Complete" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/migration-phone-complete.png" />
</Frame>

#### Migration complete in Inbox by MessageDesk

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H/images/migration-inbox-migration-complete.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=U_5XQXhG1_d-fD-H&q=85&s=c4e7c767d09bcb064ab61ebb2a8a23c4" alt="Migration Inbox Migration Complete" width="3358" height="2004" data-path="images/migration-inbox-migration-complete.png" />
</Frame>

### 10. Invite your team and get familiar with your new Inbox

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Column>
    <Card title="Inbox by MessageDesk mobile apps" type="info" href="/get-started/install-apps" cta="Learn more">
      Download and install mobile apps and desktop extensions.
    </Card>
  </Column>

  <Column>
    <Card title="Invite and manage team members" type="info" href="/settings/workspace-settings/team-management" cta="Learn more">
      Bring teammates into your Inbox with roles and permissions.
    </Card>
  </Column>
</Columns>

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Column>
    <Card title="Messaging overview" type="info" href="/messaging/overview" cta="Learn more">
      Learn the ins and outs of sending messages in Inbox by MessageDesk.
    </Card>
  </Column>

  <Column>
    <Card title="Inbox overview" type="info" href="/inbox/overview" cta="Learn more">
      Manage Conversations in Inbox by MessageDesk.
    </Card>
  </Column>
</Columns>

## Frequently asked migration questions

### How many times can I run a data migration?

Once every 24 hours.

### Do I need to be an admin to run a data migration?

No. Users with manager-level permissions can migrate data, but only admins can migrate phone numbers. Operators can't migrate data or numbers.

### Do I lose my MessageDesk Reach account?

No. Your MessageDesk Reach account isn't deleted, and you can move data to Inbox by MessageDesk multiple times. Your original account stays accessible and functional.

### Can I test Inbox by MessageDesk before moving my number over?

Yes, and we recommend it. Moving your number to Inbox by MessageDesk is instant, but moving the number back to Reach requires messaging support.

### What data is migrated during the migration process?

The migration moves your contacts (including addresses and email information), messages (including media attachments), message templates, custom fields, groups (which become labels), and opt-out lists. Every record keeps its original structure and metadata.

### How long does the migration process take?

It depends on how much data you have. Data migration runs in the background, and you'll get a notification when it's done. Phone number migration is instant once you start it.

### Can I use both my MessageDesk Reach and Inbox by MessageDesk accounts at the same time?

Yes. Use both at the same time until you migrate your phone number. After the phone number migration, every text message goes through Inbox by MessageDesk, and your Reach account stays accessible for viewing historical data.

### What happens if I need to move my phone number back to MessageDesk Reach?

You can move your phone number back from Inbox by MessageDesk at any time. Contact support to start that process.

### Will there be any downtime during migration?

No. There's no downtime during data migration. Your MessageDesk Reach account stays fully functional, and phone number migration happens instantly.

### What if something goes wrong during migration?

Contact [support@messagedesk.com](mailto:support@messagedesk.com) right away. Your data stays safe in your MessageDesk Reach account, and you can retry the migration. Data migration can run multiple times if needed.

### Do I need to do anything after the migration is complete?

Once data migration finishes, verify that your contacts, messages, and templates transferred correctly in Inbox by MessageDesk. When you're satisfied, migrate your phone number whenever you're ready.

### Will my team members and permissions be migrated?

No. You manage team members and user permissions separately in Inbox by MessageDesk. Invite your team to your new Inbox by MessageDesk workspace and configure their permissions there.