Migrate to the cloud

Step 1 — Back up your current controller

In your existing controller, go to Settings → System → Backup and download a backup file (a .unf for the Network Application). This captures your settings, Wi-Fi networks and adopted devices.

Step 2 — Provision the new hosted controller

Stand up the new controller on the same or a newer UniFi version (restoring an old backup onto a newer controller is fine; the reverse is not). With hosted UniFi, this is where your provider spins up your private controller.

Step 3 — Restore your backup

On the new controller's setup screen, choose restore from backup and upload the file from Step 1. Your networks, settings and device list come across.

Step 4 — Re-adopt your devices (the gotcha)

Your access points and switches still "phone home" to the old controller's address (the inform URL). Moving to a cloud controller is a layer-3 adoption, so each device has to be told the new address: set the unifi DNS hostname on your network to the new controller, use SSH set-inform on each device, or re-adopt from the controller's UI. Until this is done, devices show as "disconnected" or "managed by other" even though the restore worked.

Step 5 — Verify, then retire the old controller

Confirm every device shows Connected on the new controller and your Wi-Fi, VLANs and portal all behave. Then shut down the old controller or Cloud Key so two controllers aren't competing for the same devices.

Or skip all of it. Our managed UniFi hosting includes a free migration — we take the backup, stand up your private controller, and handle the re-adoption so your devices come across cleanly.