How to transfer a Processwire site from one server to another

[modifiedcontent]

Is there a hassle-free way to migrate/transfer a Processwire site from one server to another - both Linux, CentOS to Ubuntu? Install Processwire on the new server and then replace files and database with what was on the old server?

I may have already lost access to the old installation, messing up DNS/IP etc. while transferring other domains to the new server. Is there a way to transfer Processwire sites with just the backed-up files and database?

[zoeck]

1 hour ago, modifiedcontent said:

there a way to transfer Processwire sites with just the backed-up files and database?

Sure 🙂 

You can have a Look at this thread:

 

[modifiedcontent]

What is the best way to move a Processwire site to a new server in 2026?

I have backups from my old sites - almost 2 years old by now... - and have installed empty Processwire sites on my new server.

Do the PW versions still have to be the same to make importing the old templates and database etc. work? How can I find out in my backups what version of PW they were on then and could I still find that version and downgrade to it?

Or are there now other ways to rebuild the old sites?

[virtualgadjo]

Hi,

honestly, the answer is in your first post, files and DB backup are all you need (same as when you go online for a local dev website)
the only things you'll have to change are the db connection settings in the config.php file

of course, depending on the pw version the websites are using you may have to check the php version your new hosting server is on and if needed set a lower one (most recent hosting service will use a 8+ version and if your website uses a 3.0.165 pw there may be some warnings 🙂 in that case go for a php 7.4.x version and, afterwards, simply upgrade both your pw and php)

have a nice day 

[Najib]

Honestly, you’ve got everything you need with just the files and a database dump. I’ve done this exact migration a few times, and ProcessWire is actually one of the easiest CMSs to move because it doesn’t hardcode paths in the DB. Just upload your files to the Ubuntu server, import the SQL via phpMyAdmin or CLI, and update your /site/config.php with the new database credentials. The only real "gotcha" is usually file permissions or missing .htaccess—make sure mod_rewrite is enabled on the new Ubuntu box and double-check that your /assets/ folders are writable by the server, otherwise your images won't render. You definitely don't need a fresh install first; just "drop and swap" works fine.