When managing a domain name, you may need to update its associated information. Different updates—such as changing the owner, correcting contact details, or switching DNS servers—follow distinct procedures and have very different impacts on your services (such as website access or domain transfers). This topic helps you quickly identify your specific need, understand the consequences of each operation, and choose the correct action.
Quick decision guide
Find your scenario and the corresponding procedure in the table below.
|
Update needed |
Corresponding operation |
|
Change domain ownership (transfer) Update registrant name or ID number, transfer from individual to organization, or from Company A to Company B |
Scenario 1: Update domain registrant information (ownership transfer) |
|
Update registrant information Update registrant contact details or address |
Scenario 1: Update domain registrant information (ownership transfer) |
|
Update administrative/billing/technical contact information Name, contact details, address |
|
|
Switch the domain’s DNS service provider |
|
|
The domain name has a typo and needs correction |
Scenario 1: Update domain registrant information (ownership transfer)
-
When to use this operation:
-
When you need to transfer domain ownership to another organization or individual.
-
When the current registrant’s name, address, contact details, or other information contain errors that require correction.
If you only need to update registrant information (such as mobile phone number or mailing address), follow the same procedure as for ownership transfer (but the registrant remains unchanged).
-
-
Key impacts:
-
No impact on DNS resolution or website access: During the transfer, DNS resolution and website access remain uninterrupted, and the domain functions normally.
-
Re-verification required: For , the updated information must undergo review, which takes 3–5 business days.
-
ICP filing status change: After the transfer, if the new registrant information no longer matches the record in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) ICP filing system, immediately log in to the filing system and submit a modify ICP filing information request. Failure to do so promptly may result in your website being shut down by the communications administration.
-
60-day transfer-out lock (can be disabled): After a successful transfer, the domain is locked for 60 days and cannot be transferred to another registrar. If you plan to transfer out later, disable this lock during the operation.
-
-
Procedure: Update domain registrant information (ownership transfer)
Scenario 2: Update other domain contact information
Use this operation to update only the administrative, technical, or billing contact name or contact details (such as email or phone number), without changing domain ownership.
-
Key impacts: Low risk. It does not trigger re-verification, does not affect ICP filing, and does not impose a 60-day transfer-out lock. The change takes effect immediately.
-
Procedure: Update other domain information.
Scenario 3: Update domain DNS servers
Use this operation when you need to switch your domain’s DNS service provider—for example, migrating from a third-party DNS provider to Alibaba Cloud DNS.
-
Key impacts: After changing the DNS server addresses, recursive DNS servers worldwide require time (up to 48 hours) to refresh their cache. Without proper preparation, some users may still reach the old servers, causing service interruption or unstable access.
-
Smooth migration approach: To avoid disruption, configure all required DNS records with the new DNS provider before making the switch, and ensure they match the records at the old provider exactly.
-
Procedure: Update DNS servers
Clarifying two concepts: “DNS servers” vs. “DNS records”
These are two easily confused but fundamentally different operations:
-
Update DNS servers: Change the “navigation service provider” responsible for resolving your domain.
-
Update DNS records: Modify the specific “destination” (such as a server IP address) your domain points to, using your current “navigation service provider.” This does not involve changing providers.
To update DNS records, see Add website resolution.
Non-modifiable items
You cannot modify the domain name itself in any way.
If you registered an incorrect domain due to a typo, you cannot undo the registration or directly correct the name.
-
Solution: Register a new, correct domain name. Let the incorrect domain expire without renewal.
-
Minimize loss: If the domain was recently registered, you can try paid domain deletion; you can also consider selling the domain.