Description

EasyWpTools Migration is a Free WordPress migration plugin, easy wordpress migration to use for exporting and restoring complete websites. It works as a WordPress website migration plugin, WordPress site transfer plugin, and website migration tool for moving websites between hosts, between domains, or within the same hosting environment.

This free WordPress migration plugin can be used to:

• Easy migrate WordPress from one host to another (hosting provider)
• Move a WordPress website to another domain
• Restore a WordPress website on the same host
• Transfer a WordPress site within the same domain
• Migrate a website from staging to live

This is a simple migration plugin that works by exporting your original website into two files:

• database.sql
• files.zip

These two export files contain your original website.

The target WordPress installation is only the base needed to continue with the website restore process. When you click Run Restore, the plugin replaces that base installation step by step with your original website database, files, folders, and URLs.

Main Workflow

This workflow can be used to migrate WordPress from one host to another, migrate a WordPress site to a new host, transfer a WordPress website to another domain, or restore a WordPress backup within the same hosting account.

1. Install WP Easy Migration on the old website.
2. Export the website.
3. Download database.sql and files.zip.
4. Place those two files into one ZIP file named wpem-backup.zip.
5. Install WP Easy Migration on the target WordPress installation.
6. Upload wpem-backup.zip.
7. Run Restore.
8. Enter the Old Site URL if the domain has changed.
9. Wait for migration to complete.

Installation

1. Upload the plugin folder to /wp-content/plugins/
2. Activate the plugin through the WordPress Plugins screen
3. Open WP Easy Migration in the WordPress admin menu

Screenshots Gallery

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Export



Import

Exporting a Website

Use these steps on the source website:

1. Install and activate WP Easy Migration
2. Open WP Easy Migration in the admin menu
3. Click Export Website
4. Wait until export completes
5. Download database.sql
6. Download files.zip

The plugin creates two important files:

• database.sql
• files.zip

These files together represent your original website and are used by the plugin to migrate WordPress from one host to another, move a website to a new domain, or restore it on the same host.

Importing a Website

Use these steps on the target WordPress installation:

1. Install and activate WP Easy Migration
2. Open WP Easy Migration
3. Create wpem-backup.zip containing database.sql and files.zip
4. Under Import Website, choose wpem-backup.zip
5. Click Upload Backup
6. Wait until the plugin shows:

• Import folder: Found
• database.sql: Found
• files.zip: Found

When those items are found, the backup is ready to restore.

Restoring a Website

After uploading the backup on the target WordPress installation:

1. Scroll to Run Restore
2. Enter the Old Site URL if needed
3. Click Run Restore
4. Confirm the warning
5. Wait for the plugin to finish

• Restoring database
• Restoring files
• Replacing URLs
• Cleaning up temporary files

The Run Restore step is where the plugin performs the actual WordPress website migration by replacing the base installation with your original website database and files.

Final Step (Required)

1. Access your site via SFTP or File Manager
2. Open wp-config.php
3. Find:

   $table_prefix = 'wp_';

4. Replace it with the prefix from your backup (example: ewpm_)
5. Save the file
6. Upload the updated file back to the same root folder and overwrite the original
7. Refresh your website or go to /wp-admin/

Once the prefix matches, your website will load normally and the migration will be complete.

Old Site URL

What is the Old Site URL?

The Old Site URL is the full URL of the website you exported from.

Example:

https://oldsite.com

If you are moving the site to a new domain, the plugin uses this value to replace old URLs in the database with the new website URL.

Example migration:

• Old website: https://oldsite.com
• New website: https://newsite.com

In this case, enter https://oldsite.com.

The plugin will replace old links, media URLs, and stored site references with the new website URL.

When should I use the Old Site URL field?

Use the Old Site URL field when:

• moving to a different domain
• moving from staging to live
• moving from one subdomain to another
• moving from one folder/site path to another
• the plugin cannot reliably detect the old domain automatically

Examples:

• https://staging.example.com → https://example.com
• https://example.com/oldsite → https://example.com
• https://old-domain.com → https://new-domain.com

When can I leave it blank?

You can leave it blank if:

• the domain is staying the same
• you are restoring within the same environment
• the imported database already matches the current site URL

Note: Entering the Old Site URL manually is recommended when the domain changes.

What Gets Exported

WP Easy Migration exports:

• WordPress database
• /wp-content/uploads
• /wp-content/themes
• /wp-content/plugins

The plugin excludes its own folder during file export:

• /wp-content/plugins/wp-easy-migration

This prevents the migration plugin from overwriting itself during restore.

What Happens During Restore

During restore, the plugin:

1. imports database.sql
2. extracts and restores files.zip
3. replaces the existing database and files in the target environment
4. safely replaces old URLs with the new site URL
5. updates home and siteurl
6. removes temporary import files

This is why EasyWpTools Website Migration works as a WordPress database migration plugin, WordPress site transfer plugin, and full website migration tool.

The plugin also writes a log file here:

/wp-content/wpem-log.txt

Migration Log

The migration log is useful for troubleshooting.

Location:

/wp-content/wpem-log.txt

The log may contain entries such as:

• Starting export
• Database exported
• Files exported
• Starting import
• Backup extracted successfully
• Restoring database
• Restoring files
• Replacing URLs
• Restore completed

Common Error Codes

Upload error code: 1

Meaning: The uploaded backup file is larger than the PHP server limit.

Cause: The file exceeds upload_max_filesize.

Fix: Increase PHP upload limits in your hosting environment.

Recommended PHP Settings

For large websites and backups:

• Set limits to at least 2× the size of your backup ZIP file
• Increase execution time for large restores

upload_max_filesize = 512M
post_max_size = 512M
memory_limit = 512M
max_execution_time = 300
max_input_time = 300

Advanced (.user.ini)

If supported by your host, you can increase PHP limits further using a .user.ini file.

If you do not see a .user.ini file in your root directory, you can create one manually and place your PHP settings inside it.

After creating or editing the file:

• Refresh your website or log out and back in to apply changes
• Wait a few minutes for the server to update before starting the restore process

If your website becomes inaccessible after adding the file:

• Access your site via SFTP or File Manager
• Temporarily rename the .user.ini file (for example: .user.ini.bak)
• Check if the site loads again
• If the issue was not caused by the file, you can restore its original name

Once confirmed working, you can proceed with the migration.

upload_max_filesize = 4096M
post_max_size = 4096M
memory_limit = 4096M
max_execution_time = 2500
max_input_time = 2500

Upload error code: 2

Meaning: The uploaded file exceeds the maximum form size allowed by the server or application.

Fix: Increase upload limits and try again.

Upload error code: 3

Meaning: The file was only partially uploaded.

Fix: Try uploading again. Check server stability, timeouts, and upload limits.

Upload error code: 4

Meaning: No file was uploaded.

Fix: Choose a backup ZIP file and upload again.

Upload error code: 6

Meaning: Missing temporary folder on the server.

Fix: Your server is missing or misconfigured PHP temp storage. Contact your hosting provider.

Upload error code: 7

Meaning: The uploaded file could not be written to disk.

Fix: Check disk permissions, available storage, and server write access.

Upload error code: 8

Meaning: A PHP extension stopped the upload.

Fix: Check server PHP extensions or contact hosting support.

Other Common Problems

Security check failed for export/import/restore

Meaning: Nonce validation failed.

Fix: Refresh the plugin page and try again.

ZipArchive is not enabled on this server

Meaning: Your server does not have the PHP ZipArchive extension enabled.

Fix: Enable ZipArchive in PHP or ask your hosting provider to enable it.

wp-content is not writable

Meaning: The plugin cannot write backup or import files into /wp-content/.

Fix: Check file permissions and make sure /wp-content/ is writable by PHP.

Failed to move uploaded file into wp-content

Meaning: The server could not move the uploaded backup file.

Fix: Check permissions, available disk space, and PHP upload settings.

Failed to open the ZIP backup file

Meaning: The uploaded backup is not a valid ZIP or is corrupted.

Fix: Re-export the backup and upload it again.

Failed to extract the ZIP backup file

Meaning: The ZIP could not be extracted.

Fix: Check ZIP integrity, server permissions, and available space.

database.sql not found

Meaning: The imported backup does not contain database.sql.

Fix: Create a fresh export from the old site and upload it again.

files.zip not found

Meaning: The imported backup does not contain files.zip.

Fix: Create a fresh export from the old site and upload it again.

Could not determine old or new URL

Meaning: The plugin could not detect one of the required site URLs.

Fix: Enter the Old Site URL manually in the restore form.

Upload Backup keeps loading

Meaning: The backup file may be too large for the current PHP configuration.

Fix: Increase:

• upload_max_filesize
• post_max_size
• memory_limit
• max_execution_time
• max_input_time

Make sure the values match the size of the website you are migrating.

Restore page becomes blank

Meaning: The restore may still be processing in the background, especially on larger websites.

Fix: Wait for the browser tab loader at the top to fully stop. Large websites may take longer to complete restore steps. If the page remains blank after the loader finishes, manually go to:

/wp-admin/

Then check the migrated site and log in again if needed.

Recommended Migration Method (Important)

For best results and to avoid database prefix issues, follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Check Backup Prefix

1. Extract your backup ZIP file
2. Open database.sql in a text editor
3. Note the table prefix (example: ewpm_)

Step 2: Prepare Target WordPress

1. Install a fresh WordPress site as the base environment
2. Install a File Manager plugin or use SFTP
3. Increase PHP limits if needed (see server section)
4. Make sure SSL is active and ready on the target domain
5. Disable unnecessary plugins

Step 3: Import Backup

1. Install and activate WP Easy Migration
2. Create and upload your backup ZIP
3. Wait until all restore files are detected

Step 4: Run Restore

1. Enter Old Site URL if required
2. Click Run Restore
3. Wait until process completes

Step 5: Fix Table Prefix (Required)

If the site does not load after restore:

1. Open wp-config.php
2. Update $table_prefix to match your backup
3. Upload the updated file back to the same root folder
4. Save and refresh your site

Recommended Server Requirements

• PHP 7.4 or higher
• WordPress 6.0 or higher
• ZipArchive enabled
• Sufficient PHP upload and execution limits for your backup size
• Write access to /wp-content/
• SSL certificate active on the target domain before migration

Important Notes

• This plugin works across different hosts, domains, or within the same environment
• The restore process overwrites the current database and files
• The target WordPress installation is used only as a base environment
• Always keep multiple backup copies before restoring
• Large websites may take longer to export, upload, and restore
• After restore, temporary import files are cleaned automatically
• Ensure your server supports ZipArchive and has sufficient file permissions
• The Restore Status section may show missing again after a successful restore because cleanup removed the temporary files

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate WordPress from one host to another?

Yes. WP Easy Migration can be used to migrate WordPress from one host to another by exporting the original website and restoring it into the target WordPress installation.

Can I migrate a WordPress site to a new host for free?

Yes. WP Easy Migration is a free WordPress migration plugin that allows you to export and restore your website using database.sql and files.zip.

Can I use this as a WordPress site transfer plugin on the same host?

Yes. The plugin can also be used within the same hosting account or on the same domain, as long as you restore the backup into a WordPress base installation.

Does this plugin work as a WordPress database migration plugin?

Yes. The plugin exports and restores the WordPress database using database.sql, and it also restores the website files using files.zip.

Do I need WP Easy Migration installed on both websites?

Yes. Install it on the old website to export, and on the target website to import and restore.

What file should I move to the target website?

Create:

wpem-backup.zip

This ZIP must contain:

• database.sql
• files.zip

What should I enter in Old Site URL?

Enter the original domain of the exported website, for example:

https://oldsite.com

What if the target website uses the same domain?

You can usually leave the Old Site URL blank if the domain is not changing.

Where is the migration log?

Here:

/wp-content/wpem-log.txt

What should I do after a successful migration?

Check that the site loads correctly, confirm the table prefix matches if needed, and keep at least one backup copy stored safely.

Changelog

1.0.3

• Changed export workflow to provide separate downloads for database.sql and files.zip
• Removed dependency on creating a final outer backup ZIP during export
• Added clearer Import Website instructions in plugin UI
• Added instructions for manually creating wpem-backup.zip
• Improved export stability for larger websites
• Improved troubleshooting logs for export and file handling

1.0.2

• Improved restore workflow and user guidance
• Added clear instructions for table prefix mismatch resolution
• Added UI warnings before restore execution
• Improved documentation for real-world migration scenarios
• Enhanced PHP configuration guidance for large backups

1.0.0

• Initial release
• Export database and files
• Create downloadable backup ZIP
• Import backup ZIP
• Restore database and files
• Safe URL replacement for serialized data
• Manual Old Site URL support
• Temporary import cleanup
• Migration log support

Related Guides

• Migrate WordPress from one host to another
• Migrate WordPress site to new host
• Free WordPress migration plugin guide
• WordPress site transfer plugin tutorial
• WordPress database migration plugin guide