How to migrate from a cPanel, Plesk or DirectAdmin backup file

How-to Migration cpanelpleskdirectadminbackup filemigration

Import an account from the backup archive of the old panel when you have no SSH access to its server, as a reseller or an admin.

Backup-file migration is for resellers, or whenever you cannot SSH into the old panel. Supported archives: CWP Pro, cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin and HestiaCP.

Steps

1. Generate the account's backup on the old panel.
2. Copy the archive to the new server in a directory other than /tmp (for example /root/backups/). The panel service has its own private /tmp, so a file left there looks like it does not exist.
3. Import it:

   panel migra-archivo -archivo /root/backups/acme.tar.gz

4. Read the report's "pending" list: passwords to reset, databases without a dump, names that were changed and anything left out.
5. Verify and then cut DNS.

What each archive brings

• Backup files carry password hashes, so mailboxes and FTP accounts keep their passwords (except hashes that need an unsupported method such as MD5).
• Database contents load for cPanel and CWP Pro archives. The others report that database contents must be loaded another way (DirectAdmin keeps databases in a separate file).
• Plesk archives bring the reseller and customer hierarchy and plan limits but not mailbox or FTP password hashes.
• HestiaCP account names must be lowercase to be created here.

FAQ

Is the dump safe to import?

An imported dump is arbitrary SQL, so it is loaded with a temporary identity that has no administrative rights.

Last updated: 2026-10-10