The Ultimate IONOS Migration Guide - Website & Server Help

It is always mandatory to create a backup before making any changes to any server. If you do not have a backup: Purchase the IONOS Cloud Backup, follow the installation instructions, and complete a manual backup (video).

Prelude

Migrating data between two servers is an advanced task that often requires a system administrator. When transferring your data between two IONOS contracts, you should clarify some important conditions in advance. First, check out the following guide which goes over a basic checklist prior to attempting a migration:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/server-migration-transfer-without-data-loss/

Other Considerations

If you have IONOS mailboxes on the existing contract that you want to migrate away from, you will need to be sure that you have added enough additional mailboxes on the new contract. Some older IONOS contracts have unlimited emails, whereas new VPS only come with 2–so you’d have to purchase the additional ones. (More information on email migration below).

For dedicated servers, I recommend Intel.

For virtualized servers, I recommend Cloud Servers.

Server Migration Guide

Linux Server with Plesk/cPanel to Linux Server with Plesk

If you are migrating websites between two Plesk servers, or between a cPanel server and a Plesk server, you can use the Plesk Migrator. Please see the following guide:

https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12377889325719-Plesk-Migration-and-Transfer-Guide

If Plesk is installed but the web interface (port 8443) is not available, you may try to use the Plesk Migrator via command line:

https://docs.plesk.com/en-US/obsidian/migration-guide/migrating-from-supported-hosting-platfoms/migrating-via-the-command-line.75722/

Hosting to Linux Server with Plesk

You have three options:

A) Transfer files directly between the two servers. Linux terminal & SSH experience are recommended for this method.
B) Backup files locally to your PC then reupload them to the destination server.
C) Use Plesk Site Import Extension

A ) Transfer files directly between the two servers.
----------------------------------------------------

If you are comfortable with SSH or have an admin assisting you on this migration, you can use SCP to directly transfer files between your shared Hosting and dedicated Linux server.

1) First, you will want to set up your new server and be sure that Plesk is installed and that your domain is added.

Installing Plesk (VPS Windows and VPS Linux):
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=5348

Adding Domain Names to Plesk:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=4138

2) Then, you will want to create a dump of your database(s) to files on your webhosting space.

Connecting to IONOS Webhosting via SSH using PuTTY:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2923

Backing Up and Restoring MySQL/MariaDB Databases Using SSH:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2835

3) Next, you can use SCP to transfer the files to your new Plesk server. Please note that it's important that you are transferring files from/to the correct destinations, for example, the correct webspace directory on your Hosting server & the correct htdocs subfolder on your Linux Plesk server.

Linux SCP for transferring files:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/linux-scp-command/

4) Finally, you can import databases in Plesk.

How to import a MySQL/MS SQL database dump to a MySQL/MS SQL database in Plesk:
https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12377563634839-How-to-import-a-MySQL-MS-SQL-database-dump-to-a-MySQL-MS-SQL-database-in-Plesk

Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804

B) Backup files locally to your PC
----------------------------------

You can download your website files to your local computer using FTP, and export the databases using phpMyAdmin.

1) First, you will want to set up your new server and be sure that Plesk is installed and that your domain is added.

Installing Plesk (VPS Windows and VPS Linux):
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=5348

Adding Domain Names to Plesk:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=4138

2) Then, download a backup of your files using an FTP client and the FTP credentials supplied in your Hosting contract.

Transferring Files with FileZilla Using SFTP:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2938

3) Next, export your database(s).

Backing Up MySQL/MariaDB Databases with phpMyAdmin:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2836

4) Now, you can create an FTP user in Plesk and upload those files to the server's webspace.

Uploading Content Using FTP:
https://docs.plesk.com/en-US/obsidian/customer-guide/websites-and-domains/website-content/uploading-content-using-ftp.74104/

5) Finally, you can import databases in Plesk.

How to import a MySQL/MS SQL database dump to a MySQL/MS SQL database in Plesk:
https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12377563634839-How-to-import-a-MySQL-MS-SQL-database-dump-to-a-MySQL-MS-SQL-database-in-Plesk

Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804

C) Use Plesk Site Import Extension
----------------------------------

You can use Plesk's Site Import Extension to import a website via FTP for a website if it's built with WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or PrestaShop. Please see this detailed guide:
Importing Websites

Linux Server with Plesk to Hosting

You have two options:

A) Transfer files directly between the two servers. Linux terminal & SSH experience are recommended for this method.
B) Backup files locally to your PC then reupload them to the destination server.

A ) Transfer files directly between the two servers.
----------------------------------------------------

If you are comfortable with SSH or have an admin assisting you on this migration, you can use SCP to directly transfer files between your Plesk server and Shared Hosting.

1) First, export your databases as .SQL files.

How to connect to a Plesk server via SSH:
https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12377512781975-How-to-connect-to-a-Plesk-server-via-SSH-with-available-server-s-credentials

How to back up all MySQL databases via a command-line interface:
https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12377216464279-How-to-back-up-all-MySQL-databases-via-a-command-line-interface-in-Plesk-for-Linux

2) Next, you can use SCP to transfer the files to your Hosting contract. Please note that it's important that you are transferring files from/to the correct destinations, for example, the correct webspace directory on your Hosting server & the correct htdocs subfolder on your Linux Plesk server.

Create the SSH user on your Hosting:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2925

Linux SCP for transferring files:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/linux-scp-command/

3) Then, you can restore your databases.

Connecting to IONOS Webhosting via SSH using PuTTY:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2923

Restoring MySQL/MariaDB Databases Using SSH:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2835

4) Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804

B) Backup files locally to your PC
----------------------------------

You can download your website files and export your databases to your local computer using FTP and Plesk.

1) First, you can export your databases in Plesk:
https://docs.plesk.com/en-US/obsidian/reseller-guide/website-management/website-databases/exporting-and-importing-database-dumps.69538/

This will save the database as a .ZIP of a .SQL export. Extract the .SQL file for importing in a further step.

2) Then, download a backup of your website files using an FTP client and the FTP credentials in Plesk for websites. Use SFTP access with the root user to copy 3rd party applications and external files outside of Plesk management. Custom applications/extensions (such as Docker), and third-party databases [non-MySQL/MariaDB](such as MongoDB) will not run on Shared Hosting.

Set up FTP credentials in Plesk (unless you're using root over SFTP):
https://docs.plesk.com/en-US/obsidian/customer-guide/ftp-access-to-your-websites/changing-ftp-access-credentials.65186/

How to connect to a website in Plesk via FTP:
https://support.plesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/12376969914519-How-to-connect-to-a-website-in-Plesk-via-FTP

Transferring Files with FileZilla Using SFTP:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2938

3) Next, transfer the files to your Hosting contract.

Create the SFTP user on your Hosting:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2925

4) Finally, import your databases on to the Hosting contract.

Create databases on Hosting contract:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2840

Restoring MySQL/MariaDB Databases with phpMyAdmin:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2833

5) Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804

Hosting to Linux Server without Plesk

Keep in mind that a root dedicated server is completely up to the customer and their applicable system admins to install, configure, maintain, update, secure, and backup. A dedicated Linux server without Plesk will operate nothing like a Hosting contract out of the box. IONOS technical support will not set up or maintain a root dedicated server.

You have two options:
A) Transfer files directly between the two servers. Linux terminal & SSH experience are recommended for this method.
B) Backup files locally to your PC then reupload them to the destination server.

A ) Transfer files directly between the two servers.
----------------------------------------------------

If you are comfortable with SSH or have an admin assisting you on this migration, you can use SCP to directly transfer files between your shared Hosting and dedicated Linux server.

1) First, you will want to set up your new server and be sure that the server software is installed and configured properly. Apache, nginx, and LiteSpeed are the most popular options. For those wanting a typical Apache + MySQL + PHP setup, a LAMP stack may be of interest.

Connecting to Linux Server via SSH:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2286

Installing a LAMP stack on Ubuntu:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-the-lamp-stack-on-a-cloud-server-with-ubuntu/

Installing a LAMP stack on CentOS Stream:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-a-lamp-stack-on-a-server-with-centos-stream-9/

Getting Started with Apache:
https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/getting-started.html

2) Then, you will want to create a dump of your database(s) to files on your webhosting space.

Backing Up and Restoring MySQL/MariaDB Databases Using SSH:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2835

3) Next, you can use SCP to transfer the files to your new server. Please note that it's important that you are transferring files from/to the correct destinations, for example, the correct webspace directory on your Hosting server & the correct htdocs subfolder on your Linux server.

Linux SCP for transferring files:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/linux-scp-command/

4) Finally, you can import databases via MySQL.

How to import a MySQL/MariaDB Database:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/mysqlmariadb-database-import/

Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804B) Backup files locally to your PC
----------------------------------

You can download your website files to your local computer using FTP, and export the databases using phpMyAdmin.

1) First, you will want to set up your new server and be sure that the server software is installed and configured properly. Apache, nginx, and LiteSpeed are the most popular options. For those wanting a typical Apache + MySQL + PHP setup, a LAMP stack may be of interest.

Connecting to Linux Server via SSH:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2286

Installing a LAMP stack on Ubuntu:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-the-lamp-stack-on-a-cloud-server-with-ubuntu/

Installing a LAMP stack on CentOS Stream:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-a-lamp-stack-on-a-server-with-centos-stream-9/

Getting Started with Apache:
https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/getting-started.html

2) Then, download a backup of your files using an FTP client and the FTP credentials supplied in your Hosting contract.

Transferring Files with FileZilla Using SFTP:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2938

3) Next, export your database(s).

Backing Up MySQL/MariaDB Databases with phpMyAdmin:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2836

4) Now, you can connect to your server via SFTP using the root user to upload files.

Connecting to a server using SFTP with FileZilla:
https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_Client_Tutorial_(en)

5) Finally, you can import databases on your destination server via MySQL.

How to import a MySQL/MariaDB Database:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/mysqlmariadb-database-import/Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804

Linux Server without Plesk to Linux Server without Plesk

Keep in mind that a root dedicated server is completely up to the customer and their applicable system admins to install, configure, maintain, update, secure, and backup. IONOS technical support will not set up or maintain a root dedicated server.

You have two options:
A) Transfer files directly between the two servers.
B) Backup files locally to your PC then reupload them to the destination server.

A ) Transfer files directly between the two servers.
----------------------------------------------------

You can use SCP to directly transfer files between your two Linux servers.

1) First, you will want to set up your new server and be sure that the server software is installed and configured properly. Apache, nginx, and LiteSpeed are the most popular options. For those wanting a typical Apache + MySQL + PHP setup, a LAMP stack may be of interest.

Connecting to Linux Server via SSH:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2286

Installing a LAMP stack on Ubuntu:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-the-lamp-stack-on-a-cloud-server-with-ubuntu/

Installing a LAMP stack on CentOS Stream:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-a-lamp-stack-on-a-server-with-centos-stream-9/

Getting Started with Apache:
https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/getting-started.html

2) Then, you will want to create a dump of your database(s) to files on your server.

MySQL backup with MySQL dump:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/security/mysql-backup/

3) Next, you can use SCP to transfer the files to your new server. Please note that it's important that you are transferring files from/to the correct destinations/directories.

Linux SCP for transferring files:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/linux-scp-command/

4) Finally, you can import databases on your destination server via MySQL.

How to import a MySQL/MariaDB Database:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/mysqlmariadb-database-import/

Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804

B) Backup files locally to your PC
----------------------------------

You can download your website files to your local computer using FTP, and export the databases using phpMyAdmin.

1) First, you will want to set up your new server and be sure that the server software is installed and configured properly. Apache, nginx, and LiteSpeed are the most popular options. For those wanting a typical Apache + MySQL + PHP setup, a LAMP stack may be of interest.

Connecting to Linux Server via SSH:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2286

Installing a LAMP stack on Ubuntu:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-the-lamp-stack-on-a-cloud-server-with-ubuntu/

Installing a LAMP stack on CentOS Stream:
https://www.ionos.com/help/server-cloud-infrastructure/server-administration/installing-a-lamp-stack-on-a-server-with-centos-stream-9/

Getting Started with Apache:
https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/getting-started.html

2) Then, download a backup of your files using an FTP client and the FTP credentials supplied in your Hosting contract.

Transferring Files with FileZilla Using SFTP:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2938

3) Next, export your database(s).

MySQL backup with MySQL dump:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/security/mysql-backup/

4) Now, you can connect to your server via SFTP using the root user to upload files.

Connecting to a server using SFTP with FileZilla:
https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_Client_Tutorial_(en)

5) Finally, you can import databases via MySQL.

How to import a MySQL/MariaDB Database:
https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/hosting/technical-matters/mysqlmariadb-database-import/Be sure that any database connection strings (such as hostname, user and password) are updated in scripts (such as WordPress' wp-config.php).

Changing the Database Configuration File of a CMS:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2804

Windows Server without Plesk to Windows Server without Plesk

Third-party Hosting to IONOS Hosting

Although we do not offer any free or paid services to migrate data between a third party provider and IONOS, we do offer a detailed guide that lays out the process and includes guides for various other hosts.

Transferring Domains with Websites, Emails, and Subdomains:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=452

Next Steps

Any other third party software that was installed and configured on your server would need to be installed and configured on the new server as instructed by its documentation.

After migrating any websites, it is up to you or your web developer to test websites on the new server for functionality, errors, and bugs (such as on a subdomain) on the new server.
Previewing websites in Plesk

If you have the domain with IONOS, or it’s added an external domain, you can find out which contract the domain resides on your Contracts & Subscriptions page:
Contracts & Subscriptions

If your domain exists on the server contract you’re migrating away from, you can move the domain between contracts:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=213

If it is an external domain you can refer to this guide:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=388

If you’re using IONOS as your domain’s nameserver, you can refer to this guide for updating A records to point to the IP address of your new server:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=408

After migrating the website, you will need to reinstall the SSL.

Setting up and issuing an IONOS SSL:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2736

Downloading the SSL files:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=2728

Install the SSL in Plesk:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=1794

If you have email on the contract you are migrating away from, you can use the IONOS Email Migration Tool. When you transfer a domain, all email addresses that you have set up for that domain are deleted. However, in order to prevent unintentional data loss, the mailboxes with all of the emails in them remain in place.

Creating the new mailboxes:
https://www.ionos.com/help/email/setting-up-mail-basic/creating-a-11-ionos-email-address/#:~:text=Log%20in%20to,as%20Mail%20Basic.

If your contract does not contain any more available/unused mailboxes of the desired type, you will find the Order button while creating the mailbox. This will take you to the order page. There you will be shown order options and can complete the order. You can then proceed directly to setting up your email address.

Migrating email:
https://www.ionos.com/help/index.php?id=4634