How to Migrate a Website Using cPanel Full Backup & Restore

Migrating a website from one hosting provider to another can seem daunting, especially when uptime and data integrity are critical. But if both your old and new hosting environments use cPanel, the process becomes significantly easier. One of the most efficient methods is using the Full Backup & Restore method, which ensures all files, databases, email accounts, and configurations are preserved during the move.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of the process from generating the backup to restoring it on the new server.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to the source cPanel account (old server)

  • Access to the destination WHM or cPanel (new server)

  • Enough disk space on both ends

  • Optional: SSH or root access for faster restoration

 

Step 1: Generate a Full Website Backup in cPanel

  1. Log into your cPanel account on the old server.

  2. Go to Files > Backup.

  3. Under “Full Backup,” click Download a Full Account Backup.

  4. Choose Home Directory as the backup destination.

  5. Optionally, enter your email address to get notified when the backup is complete.

  6. Click Generate Backup.

This will include:

  • All website files

  • MySQL databases

  • Email accounts and forwarders

  • DNS settings

  • Cron jobs and configurations

Note: This method does not restore to another cPanel user account. You’ll need WHM or root access on the destination to restore it completely.

Step 2: Download the Backup File

Once the backup is complete:

  1. Go back to the Backups section in cPanel.

  2. Under Available Backups, download the .tar.gz file to your local system or transfer it via FTP/SCP directly to the new server.

 

Step 3: Upload the Backup to the New Server

If you have WHM access:

  1. Log into WHM on the destination server.

  2. Navigate to Backup Restoration > Restore a Full Backup/cpmove file.

  3. Either:

    • Upload the .tar.gz file manually

    • Or move it to /home or /root directory using SSH

Make sure the file is named correctly:
cpmove-username.tar.gz or username.tar.gz

Step 4: Restore the Backup in WHM

  1. In WHM, go to Backup Restoration.

  2. Select the backup file and click Restore.

  3. Choose to restore:

    • Account files

    • Databases

    • DNS entries

    • Email accounts

  4. Start the restoration process.

This will recreate the cPanel account exactly as it was on the old server.

Optional: If you’re restoring multiple accounts, consider using the Transfer Tool in WHM instead.

Step 5: Test Everything Before DNS Update

Before making the site live from the new server:

  • Preview the site using a temporary URL or hosts file trick

  • Verify databases, images, links, and forms

  • Confirm email accounts and mail delivery

  • Check DNS zone records if they were custom

 

Step 6: Update DNS to Point to the New Server

Once confirmed:

  • Update your domain’s nameservers to the new hosting provider’s

  • Or update the A record to point to the new IP

Allow up to 24–48 hours for full DNS propagation, although changes usually reflect within a few hours.

Final Cleanup

  • Delete old backups to save space

  • Cancel or decommission the old hosting account after verifying migration

  • Monitor site performance and functionality for a few days

 

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Solution
Wrong file/folder permissions Use Fix Permissions script or set via File Manager
Email not working Double-check MX records and email clients
Website loading old data Clear browser, server, and CDN caches
500 Internal Server Error Check .htaccess and PHP version compatibility

Conclusion

Migrating a website using cPanel Full Backup & Restore is one of the most reliable ways to ensure a seamless move with minimal downtime. It gives you a complete snapshot of your site and configurations, making restoration clean and efficient especially when WHM access is available.

Whether you’re switching hosting providers for performance, cost, or support reasons, this method ensures nothing gets left behind.