Guide to Migrate WordPress Site from WP Engine Account to Another WPE Account – Probably this would be the easiest scenario that you will face. We will present in this blog the guideline to follow for a proper error free process to complete this task successfully. We will focus on the 2 main methods of migration before tackling the DNS setup.
The Scenario
You have a current WordPress website hosted with a WP Engine (WPE) account. You need to transfer (migrate) this site to another WPE account. Since WP Engine do not sell domain names, so your domain name must be managed by an independent registrar (i.e. GoDaddy, WordPress, NameCheap, Gandi, etc.).
This task will involve 3 steps. The first step is the site migration, the second step is the DNS setup at the side of the Domain Name registrar. The third step is related to your plugins. In this current blog we will tackle the firs step.
Methods of the Site Migration
WP Engine offers 2 methods to execute this task. First it’s through a “Transfer Code”. The second is through a “Site Migration Plugin”.
Method 1: The Transfer Code
WP Engine physically picks up the entire “Site” container from the current account and drops it into your new account. So it will completely disappear from the first WPE dashboard.
Because the site is already living in a “Production” environment in the current WP Engine account, it will transfer over to your new account as a Production environment too. In this case only, you don’t need to move the site to a Staging Environment, there is no compatibility to test, it’s just an exact 1 to 1 same server transfer.
The advantage of this method is:
1- Zero Data Loss: Every file, database entry, and media asset is physically moved by WP Engine.
2- No Re-installation: You don’t need to install WordPress or use a migration plugin.
3- Overwrite is Fine: When the transfer completes, it will simply replace that “blank” site you currently see in your Production environment.
The Disadvantage is that the physical files will be completely removed from the source WPE account. So in case you want to keep it there as a safety net for couple of week, you won’t be able to.
Now follow this step-by-step process to get your Transfer Code:
- Log in to your WP Engine User Portal.
- Click on Settings in the left-hand sidebar.
- Look for a section or toggle labeled “Allow site transfers via transfer code” and turn it ON.
- Copy the code that appears.
- Send that code to the managers of the source WP Account and ask them to initiate a site transfer using this code.
It is highly recommeded for them to backup the website before the transfer.
Method 2: The Sige Migration Plugin
Using the automated migration plugin is a very popular choice. Usually, you need when migrating a site from a different hosting service provider to WPE. But you can also use it to transfer your site from one WPE account to another WPE account.
To be extra safe, migrate the site into your Staging Environment first, then moving it to Production once you’ve confirmed it’s perfect.
Follow these steps to execute this task successfully:
1. Get your “Migration Key” (From your WPE Destination Account)
- Log in to your WP Engine User Portal.
- Select the Staging environment of your new site.
- In the left-hand menu, click Site Migration.
- You will see a section for the Automated Migration Plugin. Click the button to generate your Migration Key.
2. Install the Plugin (On the Current Source Account)
- Log in to the WordPress Admin of the current live site.
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Install the “WP Engine Automated Migration”.
- Install and Activate it.
3. Connect and Start the Migration
- In the sidebar of the Source site, click the WP Engine Migration tab.
- Enter your email address (for notifications).
- Copy and paste the Migration Key you got in Step 1.
- Click Migrate.
The plugin will start “zipping up” your site and sending it to your new destination account. This can take anywhere from 10 minutes to many hours depending on how many images, videos and files you have.
4. The Final Check & Swap
- Once the plugin says “Migration Complete,” go to your Destination Staging URL (e.g., yoursite.wpenginestaging.com).
- Check the pages. If everything looks perfect, go to your WP Engine dashboard and use the “Copy Environment” tool to move the site from Staging to Production.
- Finally, update your DNS at your registrar (Domain Name provider) to point to your new Production IP. You can learn more in details about this step here.
Read More:
