This guide moves a WordPress site to a new host or a new domain with 1-Click Migration: back up the old site, then paste the restore code on the new one. The same steps clone a site to staging or move a localhost or staging site to live.
Before you start
- Remove themes, plugins and media you don’t need. A smaller site backs up faster. Old backup zips and cache folders add time and size without moving anything.
- Deactivate every plugin except 1-Click Migration.
- Install 1-Click Migration from WordPress.org on the site you’re moving from.
Step 1: Back up the site you’re moving from
- Go to Tools → One Click Migration.
- Enter your email and click Start backup. Most backups finish in 10–30 minutes, and the site stays online while it runs.
- Keep the email with your 8-character restore code. It’s the only way to restore the backup, and it works for 48 hours.
Step 2: Restore on the site you’re moving to
- Install WordPress and 1-Click Migration on the new host or domain.
- Delete any other plugins the host pre-installed.
- Go to Tools → One Click Migration, paste the restore code and click Check backup & restore.
- Review any extra site addresses the check found, such as an old domain or a CDN, choose which ones to rewrite, then start the restore.
- Log in with the usernames and passwords from the original site.
Site addresses are updated throughout the database, serialized data included, so links and images point at the new domain.
If a large site fails
If a large site fails to back up or restore in one go, click Stop & Reset and use Advanced options to move one part at a time, with the database last. Each partial backup gets its own restore code.
If a backup hits a PHP memory error or finishes with uploads skipped, read WordPress migration plugin memory limit.
Good to know
- Every part of the backup is AES-256 encrypted on your server before it’s uploaded. Backups are deleted after 48 hours; after that the restore code stops working, so run a new backup.
- The database is imported into temporary tables and checked before it replaces anything. If a check fails, the restore stops, says why, and leaves the site as it was.
- We can’t resend a lost restore code. Check your spam folder, or run the backup again.
Need help?
Ask on the 1-Click Migration support forum on WordPress.org. Include your site’s domain, but never your restore code: anyone who has the code can restore your backup.