Skip to content
Help Center

Can I lock my domain to prevent it from being transferred to another registrar?

Why it's advisable to keep your domain locked, when to unlock it and how to change that status from your client area.

Yes. In fact, it's the recommended setting in almost all cases.

Short answer

A locked domain is safer against unwanted transfer attempts. Normally all your domains should be locked, and you should only unlock them if you have decided to transfer them to another registrar. When the transfer is complete, it's advisable to lock them again.

Why it's better to keep it locked

A transfer lock doesn't affect the normal operation of the domain. Your website, email, and DNS can keep working exactly the same. What it does is put an additional barrier in place so the domain can't be easily moved to another registrar without a deliberate action on your part.

When would you need to unlock it

It usually only makes sense to unlock the domain if you're about to initiate a transfer to another registrar. Outside that scenario, there's no real advantage to leaving it unlocked.

How to lock or unlock your domain

If you need to change this status, the process is usually as follows:

  1. Log in to your client area.
  2. Go to the domains section.
  3. Choose the domain you want to review.
  4. Go to the domain lock section.
  5. Select whether you want it locked or unlocked for transfers.

Before changing the status

Before unlocking a domain, it's worth checking:

  • that you are actually going to request the transfer;
  • that you know which registrar you're moving it to;
  • that you have access to the email that will receive the approval;
  • and that you're not making the change out of curiosity or for testing purposes.

Practical recommendation

If you're not transferring the domain right now, keep it locked. It's the safest option and should be the default setting.

In summary

If you want to prevent your domain from being transferred to another registrar without your control, keep it locked. You should only unlock it when the transfer is genuinely going to happen, and once completed, lock it again.