How to Transfer or Migrate cPanel/WHM Accounts as a Reseller

If you are a reseller and want to move one or more cPanel accounts from one server to another, this guide explains the safest and most practical way to do it. It covers both full backup migration and manual migration, with a strong focus on what resellers can actually do in WHM without root access.

Whether you are moving from one reseller server to another or migrating client accounts into a new hosting environment, this manual will help you plan the transfer properly, reduce downtime, and avoid common mistakes.

What Reseller Migration Means

As a reseller, migrating cPanel accounts usually means moving one or more hosting accounts from an old server to a new server while preserving the website, email, databases, and account settings as much as possible.

A typical reseller migration may include:

• Website files
• Email accounts and messages
• MySQL databases
• Subdomains
• Addon domains
• FTP accounts
• Cron jobs
• SSL setup
• DNS changes

Unlike a root administrator, a reseller may not always have access to the full WHM transfer tools. Because of that, reseller migrations are often done using:

• Full cPanel backups
• Manual migration
• Provider-assisted migration

Common Migration Scenarios for Resellers

1. Old server has cPanel access, new server has WHM reseller access

This is one of the most common cases. You generate a full cPanel backup from the old server and then restore it on the new server, either by yourself if allowed or through your new host’s support team.

2. You have reseller WHM access on both servers

This can make account creation easier, but reseller accounts still do not usually have the same migration privileges as root users.

3. You only have cPanel access on the old server

You can still move the account using backup files and manual file/database transfer.

4. Your new hosting provider offers free migration

This is often the easiest option. In many cases, the new provider can handle most or all of the work for you if you provide the necessary access details. For us at telaHosting, we mostly offer migration for those who have purchased the reseller plan for a minimum of 1year billing cycle.

Important Limitations Resellers Should Know

Before starting, it is important to understand that reseller access is different from root access. Depending on the server configuration, you may not be able to:

• Use the full WHM Transfer Tool
• Restore full cPanel backups directly by yourself
• Move accounts in bulk automatically
• Transfer system-level settings
• Preserve all server-wide configurations

Because of this, some steps may require assistance from your destination hosting provider.

What to Prepare Before Migration

Before moving any cPanel account, gather the following details for each account:

• Domain name
• Old cPanel username
• Old cPanel password
• Old server hostname or IP address
• New server nameservers
• Old server nameservers
• List of email accounts
• List of databases and database users
• Current PHP version
• Cron jobs
• SSL status
• Total account size

Pre-migration checklist

• Confirm the new server is active and ready
• Confirm the destination package has enough disk space and features
• Check that the required PHP version is available on the new server
• Check that the website software is compatible with the new environment
• Make sure you know where the DNS is managed

Best Practices Before Starting the Transfer

1. Lower the DNS TTL

If possible, lower the DNS TTL value for the domain a few hours before migration. A TTL of 300 seconds is often a good option. This helps the final DNS switch propagate faster.

2. Take a fresh backup

Even if the website already has existing backups, create a fresh backup right before migration.

3. Avoid live changes during migration

During migration, try to avoid:

• Uploading new files
• Creating new email accounts
• Receiving critical orders on eCommerce websites
• Editing site content during the transfer window

For busy websites, perform the migration during off-peak hours.

Method 1: Full cPanel Backup Migration

This is usually the easiest and safest migration method for resellers.

Step 1: Log in to the old cPanel account

1. Log in to the old cPanel account.
2. Search for Backup or Backup Wizard.
3. Open Backup Wizard.

Step 2: Generate a full cPanel backup

1. Click Back Up.
2. Select Full Backup.
3. Choose Home Directory as the backup destination.
4. Enter an email address if you want a backup completion notification.
5. Click Generate Backup.

The system will create a file usually named similar to:

backup-date_time_username.tar.gz

The time required depends on the size of the account.

Step 3: Download the backup file

1. Open File Manager in cPanel.
2. Go to the account home directory.
3. Locate the generated backup file.
4. Download it to your computer.

If the file is very large, you may prefer using FTP or another supported transfer method.

Step 4: Create the destination cPanel account in WHM

On the new server WHM reseller panel:

1. Log in to WHM.
2. Go to Create a New Account.
3. Enter the domain name, username, password, and package.
4. Complete the account creation.

Some providers may prefer to restore the backup first instead of creating the account manually. If unsure, check with your provider.

Step 5: Upload the backup file to the new server

Upload the full backup file to the destination server. Depending on the hosting setup, you may do this through:

• cPanel File Manager
• FTP
• Your provider’s support team

Step 6: Restore the backup

This part depends on the permissions available in your reseller environment.

• If your host allows reseller-level restore tools, use the available restore option.
• If not, submit the backup file to your host’s support team and request a full cPanel account restore.

This is the most common method for reseller-level migrations.

Method 2: Manual cPanel Migration

If full backup restoration is not available, you can move the account manually.

This method usually includes:

• Website file transfer
• Database export and import
• Email account recreation
• Email message migration if needed
• FTP recreation
• Cron job recreation
• DNS switch
• SSL reissue or reinstallation

Step 1: Create the cPanel account on the new server

1. Log in to the destination WHM reseller account.
2. Open Create a New Account.
3. Enter the account details.
4. Assign the correct hosting package.
5. Create the account.

Step 2: Transfer website files

From the old cPanel account:

1. Open File Manager.
2. Go to public_html.
3. Select the site files.
4. Compress them into a .zip archive.
5. Download the archive.

On the new cPanel account:

1. Open File Manager.
2. Go to public_html or the correct document root.
3. Upload the archive.
4. Extract the files.

Be careful with addon domains and subdomains so that files are placed in the correct folders.

Step 3: Export and import databases

On the old server:

1. Open phpMyAdmin.
2. Select the database.
3. Click Export.
4. Download the .sql file.

On the new server:

1. Open MySQL Databases.
2. Create a new database.
3. Create a new database user.
4. Assign the user to the database with all privileges.
5. Open phpMyAdmin.
6. Select the new database.
7. Click Import and upload the SQL file.

Step 4: Update database configuration files

After importing the database, update the website configuration to use the new database name, username, and password.

Examples:

• WordPress: wp-config.php
• Laravel: .env
• Joomla: configuration.php
• Custom PHP scripts: application config file

Step 5: Recreate email accounts

On the new cPanel account:

1. Open Email Accounts.
2. Recreate each mailbox manually.
3. Use the same passwords if possible for easier continuity.

Step 6: Migrate old email messages if needed

Email migration may be done in different ways:

• IMAP sync for active mailbox transfer
• Manual mail data copy where supported
• Fresh mailbox setup only if old messages are not needed

If there are many email accounts or important historical mailboxes, this is often best handled by your hosting support team.

Step 7: Recreate FTP accounts

1. Open FTP Accounts in cPanel.
2. Recreate any custom FTP users.
3. Assign the correct folder access.

Step 8: Recreate cron jobs

From the old cPanel account:

1. Open Cron Jobs.
2. Copy the cron schedule and commands.

On the new cPanel account:

1. Open Cron Jobs.
2. Recreate each task manually.

Always check the full command path because the username or folder structure may be different on the new server.

Step 9: Recreate addon domains and subdomains

If these were not restored automatically:

1. Create the subdomains again.
2. Create the addon domains again.
3. Confirm the correct document roots.
4. Make sure the files are placed inside the right folders.

Step 10: Reinstall or reissue SSL

If the new server supports AutoSSL:

1. Point the domain to the new server.
2. Wait for DNS to resolve correctly.
3. Allow AutoSSL to run or trigger it if available.

If the old certificate was manually installed or commercially issued, you may need to reinstall it manually.

Can a Reseller Use WHM Transfer Tool?

In most cases, not fully. The WHM Transfer Tool is usually intended for root-level administrators because it handles remote authentication, account restoration, package mapping, and service-level migration.

If you do not see the full transfer tool in your WHM, that is normal for many reseller environments.

In such cases, the best alternatives are:

• Use a full cPanel backup and ask your new host to restore it
• Perform a manual migration
• Ask the destination provider to migrate the accounts for you

How to Test the Website Before Switching DNS

Before changing nameservers or DNS records, test the migrated website first.

You can test using:

• A temporary preview URL if your host provides one
• Your local hosts file
• A server preview method recommended by your provider

Make sure you check:

• Homepage loads properly
• Internal pages open correctly
• Images, CSS, and JavaScript load
• Admin login works
• Forms work properly
• Database-driven content shows correctly

Updating Nameservers or DNS After Migration

Option 1: Change nameservers at the registrar

If the domain uses hosting nameservers, update the domain to the new nameservers provided by your destination server.

Option 2: Change DNS records only

If the domain uses external DNS, update the necessary records, especially:

• A record
• MX record if mail is also moving
• TXT/SPF/DKIM/DMARC records where needed

Wait for propagation

DNS propagation may take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours or more depending on the previous TTL settings and resolver caches.

During this period, some visitors may still see the old server while others see the new one.

Post-Migration Checklist

After the migration, review everything carefully.

Website checks

• Homepage works
• All internal pages work
• Admin panel works
• Images and assets load properly
• No PHP errors or permission issues

Database checks

• No database connection errors
• Correct database credentials are in place
• Dynamic content loads correctly

Email checks

• Mailbox accounts exist
• Webmail works
• Sending works
• Receiving works
• Correct MX records are set

SSL checks

• HTTPS loads properly
• No SSL warnings
• No mixed content issues

Cron checks

• Scheduled tasks are recreated
• File paths are correct
• Jobs are running as expected

DNS checks

• Domain resolves to the new server IP
• Subdomains resolve correctly
• Nameservers or records are correctly updated

Do Not Cancel the Old Hosting Immediately

After the migration, keep the old hosting account active for a short period if possible. This gives you time to:

• Recover any missing files
• Compare email delivery
• Confirm traffic is no longer going to the old server
• Catch anything overlooked during transfer

This is especially important for business websites, eCommerce stores, and active email accounts.

How to Migrate Multiple Accounts as a Reseller

If you are moving many accounts, do not rely on memory alone. Create a simple migration tracking sheet with columns such as:

• Domain name
• Old server
• New server
• Backup created
• Files copied
• Database imported
• Email recreated
• DNS updated
• SSL active
• Tested
• Completed

Recommended migration order

1. Migrate the smallest and least critical accounts first
2. Migrate medium-sized accounts next
3. Migrate the largest or most important accounts last

This helps you identify and fix process issues before working on the most sensitive accounts.

Common Problems After Migration and How to Fix Them

500 Internal Server Error

Possible causes include:

• Incorrect PHP version
• Broken .htaccess file
• Missing PHP extensions
• Wrong file permissions
• Application configuration issue

Database connection error

Usually caused by:

• Wrong database name
• Wrong database username
• Wrong database password
• Database user not assigned proper privileges

Email not receiving

Usually caused by:

• DNS still pointing to the old server
• Wrong MX records
• Propagation delay
• Incorrect local mail exchanger setting

Missing images or assets

Usually caused by:

• Incomplete file copy
• Files extracted into the wrong folder
• Wrong document root

SSL not working

Usually caused by:

• Domain not yet pointing to the new server
• AutoSSL not yet issued
• Certificate not reinstalled

Cron jobs not running

Usually caused by:

• Wrong file path
• Wrong username in the command
• Missing PHP binary path

Security Tips During Migration

• Do not send server passwords through insecure channels
• Use secure support tickets when sharing access details
• Change passwords after migration where appropriate
• Remove large backup files from the server after successful migration

Recommended Reseller Migration Workflow

1. Review the source account and gather all needed details
2. Lower the DNS TTL if possible
3. Create a fresh full backup
4. Create the destination account in WHM
5. Restore the backup or migrate manually
6. Test the website on the new server
7. Recreate missing email accounts, cron jobs, or addon domains if necessary
8. Update nameservers or DNS records
9. Wait for propagation
10. Verify the website, email, SSL, and database functionality
11. Keep the old hosting active briefly
12. Remove old data only after everything is fully confirmed

When You Should Ask Your New Host for Help

As a reseller, it is best to involve your hosting provider if:

• The account backup is very large
• You do not have restore privileges
• You are migrating many accounts
• The websites are mission-critical
• There are many email accounts to preserve
• You want to minimize downtime as much as possible

In many reseller environments, provider-assisted migration is the most efficient and safest option.

Final Summary

The easiest way for a reseller to migrate cPanel accounts is usually to generate a full cPanel backup on the old server and have it restored on the new server. Where that is not possible, a manual migration can still be done by moving files, databases, email accounts, and DNS step by step.

The key to a successful migration is proper planning, careful testing, and not rushing the DNS switch before confirming everything works on the new server.

Need Help with Your Migration?

If you have purchased reseller hosting or a new hosting server with telaHosting for a minimum of 1year billing cycle and need help moving your cPanel accounts, kindly contact our support team with the old server details and list of accounts to be migrated. Our team can review the migration scope and advise the best and safest migration method for your setup.