This guide shows how to import MailerLite contacts into MailerPress: groups, fields and subscribers. It is a one-time import: MailerPress does not stay in sync with MailerLite afterwards.
Importing from MailerLite requires MailerPress Pro 2.1.0 or later. Only imports from MailPoet and Newsletter are free.
Before you start
- Get a MailerLite API key from the Integrations section of your MailerLite account.
- Use a key from the new MailerLite. Keys from MailerLite Classic do not work.
- Decide now whether to include unsubscribed contacts: the option only appears next to the API key.
- Back up your site, or try the import on a staging site first.
- Import only people who agreed to receive your emails.
What gets imported
| MailerLite | MailerPress |
|---|---|
| Groups | Lists, with each subscriber’s groups |
| Segments | Tags (names only: subscribers are not tagged) |
| Fields | Custom fields, with each subscriber’s values |
| Name and Last name fields | First name and last name |
| Subscribers | Contacts |
| Subscribers in no group | Your default list |
| Not imported | Campaigns, automations, forms, templates, statistics, segment rules |
Lists and tags with the same name as existing ones are reused. Contacts are matched by email address, so there are no duplicates.
Import your contacts
- Go to MailerPress > Tools > Migrations.
- Select Platforms.
- In Import from platform, choose MailerLite (not connected).
- In the Connect MailerLite form, paste your key in API key.
- Check Include unsubscribed contacts to also import unconfirmed, unsubscribed, bounced and junk subscribers.
- Click Save API key. The number of records appears under Data to migrate.
- Under Data to migrate, check Lists, Tags, Custom fields and Contacts as needed.
- Click Start migration.
- Wait for Migration completed. The import runs in the background, so you can leave the page.
Keep Custom fields checked if you want the field values on your contacts.
Contact statuses
| MailerLite status | Include unsubscribed contacts unchecked | Include unsubscribed contacts checked |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Subscribed | Subscribed |
| Unconfirmed | Not imported | Pending |
| Unsubscribed, Bounced, Junk | Not imported | Unsubscribed |
- An existing contact with the same email gets the MailerLite status. An unsubscribed contact can become Subscribed again.
- New contacts imported as Pending receive your sign-up confirmation email.
- Automations that start with the Contact Subscribed trigger can run for imported contacts. Pause them first if needed.
After the import
- Open a few contacts and check their status, lists and custom fields.
- Errors counts contacts that could not be saved, such as invalid email addresses.
- Tag contacts yourself if you need your MailerLite segments: imported segment tags are empty.
- Changes made in MailerLite later are not copied. Run the migration again to bring them over.
- If the migration does not progress, set up a server cron job.
Next, choose the sending service that will deliver your MailerPress emails. For all sources and options, see Migrate your contacts to MailerPress with the Migration Center.