How to Use All In One WP Migration in WordPress
The All-in-One WP Migration plugin is one of the most popular tools for migrating WordPress websites. It simplifies the process of backing up, exporting, and importing your entire site (including files, themes, plugins, and databases) from one hosting environment to another. Whether you’re moving your site to a new server or just creating a backup, All-in-One WP Migration is a straightforward tool to use. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with the process.
Step 1: Install All-in-One WP Migration Plugin
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- In the search bar, type All-in-One WP Migration.
- Click Install Now and then click Activate once the installation is complete.
Step 2: Export Your Website
To export your current WordPress website for migration or backup:
- In the WordPress dashboard, go to All-in-One WP Migration from the left sidebar.
- Click on Export.
- You’ll see an Export To button. Click on it to choose how you want to export the file. Common export options include:
- File (downloads the backup as a file to your computer).
- FTP, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. (if you’ve purchased the premium extension for cloud storage).
- If you select File, the plugin will begin creating a backup of your website.
- Once the export process is complete, you will see a message like “Your website export is complete” with a button labeled Download.
- Click Download to save the exported file to your computer. The file will be in .wpress format.
Step 3: Install WordPress on the New Host
If you are migrating your WordPress site to a new server or host, you will first need to install a fresh WordPress instance on the new server.
- Set up your new hosting environment.
- Install a fresh copy of WordPress (most hosting providers offer one-click installs).
- Once WordPress is installed, log in to the WordPress dashboard of your new site.
Step 4: Install All-in-One WP Migration on the New Site
Just like you did on your old site, you’ll need to install the All-in-One WP Migration plugin on the new WordPress installation.
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for All-in-One WP Migration.
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
Step 5: Import Your Website
Now that you have the plugin installed on the new WordPress site, it’s time to import the backup file you created earlier.
- Go to All-in-One WP Migration in the dashboard and click Import.
- Click on the Import From button and select File.
- Browse for the .wpress file you exported earlier from your old site and click Open.
- The import process will begin. Depending on the size of your website, this may take a few minutes.
- Once the import is complete, you will see a message saying “The import process has finished”. It will prompt you to Restore the backup.
Step 6: Finalize the Migration
- After the import is finished, All-in-One WP Migration will ask you to Save Permalinks. This is an important step to ensure that the site structure and links work correctly.
- Click Save Permalinks to be taken to the Permalink Settings page. You don’t need to change any settings here — just scroll down and click the Save Changes button.
Step 7: Test Your Website
After the migration, thoroughly check your website to ensure everything is functioning properly:
- Test the pages and links to ensure they work.
- Check forms, plugins, and media to make sure everything is in place.
- If you moved to a new domain, make sure the URLs have been updated correctly.
Optional: Increase File Upload Limit (If Needed)
If your website is large and the default upload limit isn’t enough to handle your .wpress file, you may need to increase the maximum upload size.
- Some hosting environments may have a file upload limit of 128MB or lower. All-in-One WP Migration offers a premium extension to remove this limit.
- Alternatively, you can modify the PHP settings (like upload_max_filesize and post_max_size) via your hosting control panel, php.ini file, or .htaccess.
Conclusion
The All-in-One WP Migration plugin makes migrating WordPress websites simple and efficient. Whether you’re moving your site to a new host, creating backups, or restoring your site, the process is straightforward and user-friendly. By following the steps outlined above, you can seamlessly transfer your WordPress site and ensure everything remains intact after the migration.