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Cloud Gateways Switching WiFi Camera Security Door Access Integrations Accessory Tech Identity

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  4. Features & Configuration

Backups and Migration in UniFi

UniFi simplifies backups and migration for all devices that host UniFi, including Cloud Gateways, CloudKeys, and Network Video Recorders (UNVR, ENVR). This ensures seamless transitions between devices while preserving settings and configurations.

UniFi provides both complete system backups and Network-specific backups. Most users will not need network-specific backups; they are advanced methods typically used by users with a Gen1 CloudKey, or those self-hosting the UniFi Network Server on a Windows, macOS, or Linux machine.

System Config Backups

System Config Backups include all OS, application, and device configurations. These backups can be created and restored in Settings > Control Plane > Console. This is the most common form of backups for UniFi Cloud Gateways and CloudKeys.

Automated Cloud Backups

The simplest way to ensure your data is backed up is to enable Automated System Backups:

  1. Go to Settings > Control Plane > Backups.
  2. Check System Backups.

If enabled, a cloud backup will be generated automatically each week and prior to each major update. Manual backups and restorations are managed in the Console's Control Plane.

Only the Cloud Gateway Owner has permissions to manage these backups, because they are saved directly to their UI Account. Visit account.ui.com/backups to view all backups associated with your account.

Offline Backups

For users who cannot use cloud backups, a local offline backup file can be used. You can download it in Settings > Control Plane > Backups.

Restoring From a Backup

Restoring from a backup allows you to revert to a previously stable configuration, ensuring continuity and minimizing disruptions. This is especially useful after a system failure, misconfiguration, or when setting up a new device.

To restore from a backup:

  1. Go to Settings > Control Plane > Backups and click Restore.
  2. Choose your most recent Cloud Backup or upload a backup file.

By default, “Restore All Applications and Settings” is enabled. To perform a partial restoration, uncheck it and select the specific apps, settings and admin configurations you need. This is especially useful when restoring to a different device—such as transferring Protect settings from a UDM Pro backup to a UNVR.

Migration & Cloud Gateway Transfers

System Config Backups enable easy migration of devices and settings when when moving from an old UniFi Cloud Gateway or console to a new one - such as when upgrading from an older or smaller device (e.g., UniFi Dream Machine Pro) to a larger or newer one (e.g., Enterprise Fortress Gateway). 

This process is the only way to transfer device management from one Cloud Gateway, CloudKey or UNVR to another—other than performing a factory reset, which is generally undesirable.

To migrate backups to a new device:

  1. On the original device, go to Settings > Control Plane > Console.
  2. Create a cloud backup or download a local backup.
  3. Replace the original Console or Cloud Gateway with the new one (downstream network connections should remain unchanged)
  4. Restore the backup when prompted during the setup process, or afterwards from Settings > Control Plane > Console.

Note: If migrating to a different model Cloud Gateway, CloudKey or UNVR, the new device must be running UniFi OS 3.1 or higher.

Migration Considerations: Migrating Protect

Migrating to Protect to a new UniFi Console follows the same procedure listed above. After restoring your configuration backup, all connected cameras will automatically begin recording on the new system. However, some key considerations apply:

  • Existing recordings cannot be transferred between UniFi Consoles.
    • They remain accessible on the original Host, until you remove or reformat the storage.
  • If you intend to reuse the hard drives in the new Console, they must be reformatted. This will remove any previously stored recordings.
  • Cameras will appear as “adopted but offline” on the original Console, allowing access to old recordings while they are recording new footage on the new Console.

Network-Only Backups

All users with a dedicated UniFi Cloud Gateway or UniFi Console are encouraged to use the comprehensive System Config Backup. For rare cases, UniFi does offer Network-only Backups, which contain UniFi Network settings and device configurations.

These backups are generally only necessary for:

  • Gen1 CloudKeys
  • Self-Hosted UniFi Network Servers
  • Advanced users

These backups are managed in Network Settings > System > Backups.

Below are walkthroughs for some specific cases where Network backups would be necessary.

Migration from an Offline Network Backup File

For users who cannot use cloud Network backups, a local offline Network backup file can be used.

This method is most applicable when replacing a self-hosted UniFi Network Server or CloudKey with another local instance.

  1. Ensure that your new Network Application is up to date.
  2. Download the Network Application backup file (*.unf) from your original Network Application (Settings > System > Backups).
  3. Connect the new Network host, Console, or Cloud Gateway (leave all other UniFi devices connected as they were previously) and remove the old one.
  4. Restore the backup file to the new Network Application in Settings > System > Backups.
  5. Wait for all devices to appear online.
    1. If you did not remove your original UniFi Network Server during step (3), you may need to go back to the old Network Application, select each device, and click "Forget" to ensure they do not reconnect to the old console.
  6. If any device appears offline or “Managed by Another Console,” factory reset the device and re-adopt it to the new console.

Migrating with Layer 3 Adoption

If you have previously adopted a device to a self-hosted UniFi Network Server or CloudKey using Layer 3 adoption commands to connect across VLANs or the internet, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure that your new Network Application is up to date.
  2. Download the Network Application backup file (*.unf) from your original Network Application (Settings > System > Backups).
  3. Connect the new Network host, Console, or Cloud Gateway (leave all other UniFi devices connected as they were previously) and remove the old one.
  4. Restore the backup file to the new Network Application in Settings > System > Backups.
  5. Once restoration is complete, enable the Override Inform Host toggle on the original Network Application and enter the IP address of the new console. This tells your devices where they should connect.
    • If migrating to Official UniFi Hosting, use the Inform URL from the Network Application dashboard. Remove the initial http:// and the ending :8080/inform when pasting.
  6. Wait for all devices to appear as online in the new Network Application. If a device appears offline or 'Managed by Another Console,' factory reset and re-adopt it.
  7. Remove your old Cloud Gateway from the network, or forget the migrated devices from the original Network Application through the devices' settings.

Exporting Individual Sites from Older UniFi Hosting Options

Some older UniFi hosting options, such as CloudKey, Official UniFi Hosting, and self-hosted Network Servers, support cross-site management. Site export allows users to migrate specific sites to another UniFi system.

  1. Ensure that your new Network Application is up to date.
  2. Go to Network Settings > System > Site Management and click Export Site to download the site file and initiate the guided walkthrough.
  3. Ensure your new Cloud Gateway has been set up (leave all other UniFi devices connected as they were previously).
  4. Open your new Network Application in a separate tab.
  5. Select Import Site from the site switcher in the new Network Application and upload the site export file from step (2).
    • If no site switcher is visible, enable Multi-Site Management in Settings > System > Site Management.
  6. Complete the guided walkthrough in the old Network Application by selecting the device(s) you wish to migrate.
  7. Enter the Inform URL (IP address of the new Cloud Gateway).
  8. Forget devices from the original Network Application.
  9. Wait for all devices to appear as Online.
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