Can I migrate the MainWP Dashboard to a different server?

Migrating a WordPress installation with MainWP installed is identical to migrating any WordPress site. Use any migration method, and MainWP continues working without reconfiguration in most cases.

Migrating a WordPress installation with MainWP installed works the same as migrating any WordPress site. You can use migration plugins, hosting migration tools, or manually copy files and the database. MainWP functionality continues after migration without requiring reconfiguration in most cases.

What You’ll Learn

• How to prepare for migration
• What to verify after migration
• How to handle domain changes
• How to reconnect child sites

For general WordPress migration guidance, see the official documentation: Moving WordPress.

---

Before Migration

Document Your Setup

Item	Why It Matters
Dashboard URL	Child sites use this to communicate with the Dashboard
Extension license keys	Required if reactivation is needed after migration
Extension settings	Export using built-in import/export features where available

Sync all child sites before migration to ensure the database contains current information.

Create Backups

Create backups before starting migration.

Backup Type	Contents
Database	Full database backup of the Dashboard site
Files	Complete backup including wp-content
Configuration	Document wp-config.php constants and .htaccess rules

---

During Migration

Use any standard WordPress migration method:

Method	Examples
Migration plugins	Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, UpdraftPlus
Hosting tools	Many hosts offer one-click migration
Manual migration	Export database, copy files, update wp-config.php

If changing domains during migration, see Changing the Domain of Your MainWP Dashboard for important considerations about search-replace operations.

---

After Migration

Verify Dashboard Access

1. Log in

   Access your MainWP Dashboard at the new location.

2. Check status

   Navigate to MainWP > Info > Server to confirm the Dashboard is functioning.

3. Verify extensions

   Confirm all extensions appear and are activated.

Reconnect Extensions

If extensions show as deactivated, go to MainWP > Add-ons, enter your API credentials, and reactivate any extensions that require license verification.

Verify Child Site Connections

1. Open Manage Sites

   Navigate to MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites.

2. Sync all sites

   Click Sync All to verify connections.

3. Check connection status

   Verify each site shows as connected.

Reconnect Disconnected Sites

When the Dashboard URL changes, child sites may not automatically find the new location.

1. Access child site

   Visit the child site’s wp-admin directly.

2. Update Dashboard URL

   Go to Settings > MainWP Child and update the Dashboard URL if it shows the old address.

3. Reconnect

   Reconnect from your new Dashboard location.

If using the same domain, ensure DNS has propagated, clear any CDN or caching layers, and force a sync from the Dashboard.

Test Core Functionality

Verify these features work after migration:

Test	Action
Site access	Jump to WP Admin for several child sites
Data sync	Sync site data successfully
Updates view	View updates across your network
Update test	Run a test update on a non-critical site

---

Domain Changes During Migration

When your Dashboard domain changes (for example, olddashboard.com to newdashboard.com):

1. Avoid running search-replace operations on MainWP tables
2. Child sites will need reconnection to the new Dashboard URL
3. See Changing the Domain of Your MainWP Dashboard for detailed guidance

---

Keeping the Same Domain

When migrating to a new server while keeping the same domain:

1. Update DNS

   Point DNS to the new server.

2. Wait for propagation

   DNS propagation may take up to 48 hours.

3. Verify connections

   Child site connections should resume automatically once DNS resolves to the new server. Use Jump to WP Admin or sync operations to confirm.

No reconfiguration is typically needed when the domain stays the same.

---

Self-Check Checklist

• Backup created before migration
• Extension license keys documented
• Dashboard accessible at new location
• Extensions activated and functioning
• All child sites connected and syncing
• Core functionality tested

---

Related Resources

• Change Dashboard Domain - Domain change procedures
• Move Child Sites - Transfer sites between Dashboards
• Reconnecting Child Sites - Reconnection process