How to move primary domain to different cPanel as an add-on domain? |

Here, in this tutorial, we will discuss the procedure to move primary domain to a different cPanel as an add-on domain without losing data.

This involves the following.

Create Backup of Primary Domain
Create Add-on Domain on new cPanel
Restore primary domain data to add-on domain

Let us go through each step one by one.

#1. Create Backup of Primary Domain

First, you have to create backup of your Primary domain which you want to move to different cPanel account. To create the backup follow the below mentioned steps.

Login to cPanel associated with your primary domain.
Select Backup Wizard from the cPanel feature list page.
Backup Feature in cPanel
On the next page, click over Backup & proceed.
Select Backup
On the next page select Home Directory given with Partial Backup on the right side of the page.
Create Partial Backup
Click over Home Directory on the next page and the backup file would be downloaded to your local PC.
Download Backup to Local PC

*You need to follow the same procedure to download MySQL backup of your website.

You have successfully downloaded the Backup of your primary domain.

#2. Create Add-on Domain on New cPanel

After having the backup file of your primary domain. You have to create that primary domain as an add-on domain to different cPanel account. *(Before adding primary domain as an add-on domain, update the nameservers of primary domain if you’are moving it to cPanel on different server) Follow the steps to do the same.

Login to new cPanel account where you want to transfer your add-on domain.
Here, go inside DOMAINS section and select Addon Domains.
Create Addon Domains
On the next page, enter the credentials related to add Primary domain as an Addon Domain.
Add Primary Domain as an Add-on Domain to new cPanel account
Click over Add Domain to add your primary domain to new cPanel account. You may refer to the article to create add-on domain.

Now, you have successfully add your primary domain to different cPanel account as an addon domain.

#3. Restore Primary Domain data to Add-on Domain

The final step to move your primary domain to new cPanel account as an add-on domain is to restore all the data to new server. This will include the following.

Restoration of Files & Directories
Restoration of MySQL database

#1. Restoration of Files & Directories

In the new cPanel account, go inside Backup Wizard section.
Click over Restore and proceed as directed in below given image.
Restore Backup
On the next page, click over Home Directory as you want to restore the backup of primary domain.
Restore Home Directory
Click over Choose File on the next page to select the file from your Local PC.
Then select the downloaded tar.gz file & Upload.
Select & Upload Backup File
Now, go inside File Manager section and you will find all the files and directories of your primary domain inside public_html.
Select all the restored files and move them to domain directory of add-on domain.

#2. Restoration of MySQL database

After restoring files and directories it is required to restore MySQL database as well. Below mentioned procedure will explain to do the same.

Go inside Backup Wizard section in new cPanel account.
On the next page, select Restore and proceed.
You will find multiple options on the next page. Select MySQL Databases as directed in below image.
Restore Database
Click over Browse & select mysql backup file from your local PC. The file would be in sql.gz format. Refer to the below given image.
Select & Upload MySQL Database
Click over Upload to restore MySQL database file.
Now, go inside MySQL Database section. Here, you will find that a new database have already been created.
New Database Created
On the same page, scroll down to MySQL Users section to add a new user for the created database.
Scroll down and Add User to Database.
Add User To Database
On the next page, click over All Privileges & Make Changes.
Add User Privileges

Now, visit your add-on domain URL to verify the changes. You may face an issue called “Error Establishing database connection”. This can be fixed by updating database details inside MySQL database section. You can read the tutorial on the same.

You will now use the primary cPanel account as an add-on domain on different cPanel account.

That’s It !

Hope the article better describes the procedure to move primary domain to different cPanel as an add-on domain. Do share it with your colleagues if you find it working. Also share your suggestions and drop your queries to start the discussion on the related topic. Lets connect on social media with the below links.

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