> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.foenix.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# WP Easy Migrate

> Move your WordPress site between a Foenix sandbox and your own hosting in two clicks: create a backup on one site, import it on the other. URLs and the database are adapted automatically.

WP Easy Migrate is a one-click migration plugin built by Foenix. It packs your whole site - database, media, plugins, and themes - into a **single `.zip` file** that you can download and import on any other WordPress site with the plugin installed.

It's built for moving sites in any direction:

* **Sandbox → your own hosting**: built something in a Foenix sandbox and want it live? Move it to your real site.
* **Your hosting → sandbox**: clone your live site into a sandbox to let Foenix agents experiment safely.
* **Site → site**: works between any two WordPress sites, not just Foenix ones.

<Note>
  Foenix sandboxes run on **SQLite**, while most hosting uses **MySQL** or **MariaDB**. You don't have to think about this: the database is converted automatically during import (MySQL ↔ MariaDB ↔ SQLite). The plugin also **rewrites the site URL** and adapts the database to the new server for you.
</Note>

## Before you start

Install and activate WP Easy Migrate on **both** sites - the one you're copying *from* and the one you're copying *to*. After activation, it appears in the WordPress admin sidebar as **WP Easy Migrate**.

<Card title="Download WP Easy Migrate" icon="download" href="https://maps.foenix.ai/0/wp-easy-migrate-20260714-124208.zip">
  Latest version - install via **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**
</Card>

<Note>
  Do not unzip the file - WordPress installs it directly from the archive.
</Note>

At the top of the plugin screen you'll always see where you are: the current site URL, the database type (for example `SQLITE`), and the table prefix. Double-check this line before importing so you don't overwrite the wrong site.

## Step 1 - Create a backup (source site)

Open **WP Easy Migrate → 1. Create backup** on the site you want to copy.

Choose what goes into the backup:

* **Media files** - check *Include the uploads folder (media library)* to bundle your images and uploads. Uncheck it if you only need content and settings (the backup will be much smaller).
* **Database** - always included. No configuration needed; conversion between database engines happens automatically on import.
* **Plugins** - tick the plugins you want to carry over, or use **toggle all**.
* **Themes** - same for themes.

Click **Create backup**. A progress bar shows what the plugin is doing (for example, *Scanning plugin: wp-easy-migrate*). You can safely hit **Cancel** at any point - creating a backup never changes your site.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/foenix/9kOZlKi9BXc5DKWp/images/WP-Easy-Migrate1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9kOZlKi9BXc5DKWp&q=85&s=16a8cf7e77a42f4d695a7ecc2ecf2709" alt="Backup creation in progress with a progress bar and Cancel button" width="1689" height="722" data-path="images/WP-Easy-Migrate1.png" />
</Frame>

When it's done, you'll see a green **Done!** box with the file name and size:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/foenix/9kOZlKi9BXc5DKWp/images/WP-Easy-Migrate2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9kOZlKi9BXc5DKWp&q=85&s=f2d62323b0919b034168ad186d6e832d" alt="Backup created - download button and the backup listed under Backups on this site" width="1610" height="1006" data-path="images/WP-Easy-Migrate2.png" />
</Frame>

Click **↓ Download backup** to save the `.zip` to your computer.

<Tip>
  Backup file names include the site and timestamp, like `wpem-backup-yoursite-20260717-115030-….zip`, so you can always tell which backup came from where.
</Tip>

## Step 2 - Import on the destination site

On the site you're moving *to*, open **WP Easy Migrate → 2. Migrate (import)**.

Under **Or upload a backup from another site**, choose the `.zip` you downloaded and click **Upload and analyze file**. A progress bar shows the upload speed and time remaining - you can **Cancel** at any point.

<Note>
  Uploading and analyzing a backup is **safe** - nothing on the site changes yet. The plugin only shows you what's inside. The database and selected files are replaced **only after** you review the backup and explicitly click **Import and migrate**.
</Note>

### Review what will be migrated

Once the file is analyzed, the plugin shows a **What will be migrated** summary:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/foenix/9kOZlKi9BXc5DKWp/images/WP-Easy-Migrate3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=9kOZlKi9BXc5DKWp&q=85&s=7d74e2f2db45eaa7895978a08f0eabe9" alt="What will be migrated - review screen with import options" width="969" height="661" data-path="images/WP-Easy-Migrate3.png" />
</Frame>

* **Site URL** - the backup's URL will be replaced with this site's address automatically, across the whole database.
* **Database** - source → destination engine (for example `MYSQL → SQLITE`). Conversion is automatic; the database name comes from the current site's `wp-config`.
* **Source table prefix** - adapted to the current site for you.

Then choose what to restore:

* **Plugins and themes in the backup** - untick anything you don't want on this site.
* **Restore media files (uploads)** - bring over the media library.
* **Keep the current site's users and login** - recommended: you stay logged in after the import instead of being logged out.
* **Safe mode: do not auto-activate plugins after import** - recommended: guarantees the site opens after migration. You turn plugins on yourself in the **Plugins** screen afterwards.

<Warning>
  **Only import backups you created or fully trust.** An import restores a database and PHP files from the archive and runs them on this site. A backup from an untrusted source could contain malicious code. Keep *Safe mode* on when in doubt.
</Warning>

Click **Import and migrate**. When the import finishes, log in to the destination site and check that everything looks right. If you kept Safe mode on, go to **Plugins** and activate the ones you need.

<Tip>
  Backups created on this same site appear under **Backups on this site** with a **Restore** button - you can roll the site back to an earlier state without uploading anything.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Importing **replaces** the destination site's database and the selected files. If the destination site has content you care about, create its own backup first - it takes one click on the *Create backup* tab.
</Warning>

## No upload or size limits to worry about

Big site? Not a problem:

* **Uploads are chunked.** Large backup files are uploaded in small pieces (around 10 MB per chunk, adjusted per server), so your host's `upload_max_filesize` limit doesn't apply.
* **Imports are resumable.** The import runs in small steps, so it won't die on servers with short PHP execution limits - and it does not touch the live site until the final, atomic switch.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need the plugin on both sites?">
    Yes. Create the backup with WP Easy Migrate on the source site, and import it with WP Easy Migrate on the destination site. Backups made by other tools won't work here.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My sandbox uses SQLite but my hosting uses MySQL. Is that a problem?">
    No - this is exactly what the plugin was built for. The database is converted automatically on import, in either direction. You don't need to export SQL dumps or configure anything.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is it safe to upload a backup 'just to look'?">
    Yes. Uploading and analyzing a backup changes nothing. The site is only modified after you click **Import and migrate**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does Safe mode do?">
    With Safe mode on, plugins from the backup are copied to the site but **not activated** automatically. This guarantees the site opens after migration even if one of the plugins would crash on the new server. You then activate them one by one in the **Plugins** screen.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The backup is huge. Can I make it smaller?">
    Yes - uncheck *Include the uploads folder* to skip the media library, and untick plugins or themes you don't need on the destination. The database is always included.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/get-started/quick-start">
    Spin up a sandbox or connect your own WordPress in minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backups" icon="shield" href="/security/backups">
    Why you should back up before big changes, and how Foenix handles safety
  </Card>
</CardGroup>