---
title: "Export Your Database With WP Migrate"
description: "In this article we will outline how you can export your database using the WP Migrate (formerly known as WP Migrate DB) plugin. This free WordPress plugin allows you to export data from your..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/wordpress/export-your-database-with-wp-migrate-db/
date: 2020-03-13
modified: 2023-09-22
author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor"
categories: ["WordPress Tutorials"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Export Your Database With WP Migrate

In this article we will outline how you can **export** your **database** using the **WP Migrate** (formerly known as WP Migrate DB) plugin. This free **WordPress** plugin allows you to export data from your WordPress dashboard, saving you the time and hassle of logging into the [phpMyAdmin](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/cpanel/manage-mysql-database-in-phpmyadmin/)** **database manager. This is particularly useful for migrating your website data to a new server. The plugin is now known as WP Migrate Light for the free version, and an upgrade to WP Migrate Pro is available with features like better support, full site migrations, and more.

In this guide we will cover:

- [Why Use WP Migrate Light](#why)
- [How to Use WP Migrate Light ](#how)

Use WP Migrate Light to move your site to one of our [WordPress Hosting](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/wordpress-hosting) plans!

## Why Use WP Migrate?  

**WP Migrate DB** is a free plugin for WordPress that enables users to export databases in a user-friendly and customizable environment. This plugin eliminates the need to login to **phpMyAdmin** when exporting database content, streamlining the migration process and allowing users to quickly export their database even if they only have access to the **WordPress** dashboard. This can be a useful tool for WordPress developers as well as those simply looking to migrate their websites to a new host. 

## How to Use WP Migrate

### Install the Plugin

1. [Log into your **WordPress dashboard**.](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/wordpress/logging-into-wordpress-dashboard/)[![BG Login Page](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/bglogin.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/bglogin.png)
2. Click on the **Plugins** tab.[![Plugins Tab](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/plugins.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/plugins.png)
3. Click **Add New**.[![Plugins Page](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pluginspagered.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pluginspagered.png)
4. Type “WP Migrate Light**“** in the search box and click **Install Now** to begin the installation process. [![Search and Install](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/searchandinstall.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/searchandinstall.png)
5. Click **Activate** to activate the plugin in your dashboard.[![Activate Plugin](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/activate1.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/activate1.png)

### Access the plugin

1. To access the plugin interface, navigate the sidebar to **Tools** >** Migrate DB**.[![access migrate db](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Annotation-2020-03-12-111458.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Annotation-2020-03-12-111458.png)
2. Once on the Migrate DB page, click the checkbox for **Save as file to your computer** if it is not already checked. If you have a large database, you may want to also select **Compress file with gzip** to speed up the download. [![Export Settings](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/export.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/export.png)
3. Replace the original file path with the file path used for the site on the new server. If the site will be moved to a **new URL** you will want to replace the **original URL** as well. [![Export Settings 2](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/filepaths.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/filepaths.png)
4. Click **Export**.[![Export Button](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/button.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/button.png)
5. Once the loading bar has completed the file should be automatically downloaded to your computer. [![Export Finished](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/finished.png)](/support/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/finished.png)

Now that you have successfully exported your database you can upload the exported **.sql or .sql.gz** file to your new server [via phpMyAdmin](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/server/databases/import-database-using-phpmyadmin/) or [via Command Line](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/how-to-import-mysql-databases-in-command-line/). You are now one step closer to moving your site to a new home!