Magic Transit: move your server in minutes – transfer files & databases for free

Magic Transit is a free migration tool by MagicHosting. It connects two servers and transfers your data directly from server to server. Nothing has to be downloaded to your PC and uploaded again. You need no installation, no account, and you don't have to open any firewall ports.

After clicking "Start a move" you get your own page for the move with one command for each server. Once you've pasted the commands, both servers check in on their own. Then you choose in your browser what should move and watch your data arrive on the new server.

Whether you're moving to MagicHosting, upgrading to a bigger server or switching from Linux to Windows (or the other way round): moving has never been easier.

• Server to server: Files go straight from the old server to the new one – no detour via your PC and no double waiting time for download and upload.
• MySQL and MariaDB included: Databases are exported on the old server and imported on the new one automatically. MariaDB can be set up on the new server right away.
• Linux and Windows in any direction: Linux to Linux, Windows to Windows, Linux to Windows and Windows to Linux.
• Verified, not hoped for: Every file is confirmed via SHA-256 before it is put in place.
• Interruptions don't matter: If the connection drops, a new run continues where the last one stopped.
• Encrypted: From each server to Magic Transit with TLS 1.3. Nothing is stored along the way.
• No open ports, no account: Both servers establish the connection themselves – no firewall changes needed.
• 100 % free: Magic Transit is a MagicHosting tool and costs nothing – even if your new server is hosted elsewhere.

Magic Transit doesn't care where your data comes from or where it goes. On Linux you paste the command into your SSH session, on Windows into PowerShell.

A move often touches exactly the data that matters most: customer data, databases, configuration files with passwords. That's why Magic Transit was designed with security in mind from day one:

• Connections start from your servers. Both servers check in with Magic Transit themselves. No port has to be opened that someone could use to reach your server from outside.
• TLS 1.3 on every leg. Data is encrypted with TLS 1.3 from each server to Magic Transit.
• Nothing is stored in between. Magic Transit relays your data; nothing is stored along the way.
• No account, no data collection. You don't have to provide an email address or password for a move.
• Integrity via SHA-256. Every file is verified before it lands at the destination – damaged or incomplete files are caught immediately.

The classic way – mysqldump, copying the file, importing on the new server – is error-prone, especially with large databases or character set issues. Magic Transit handles this part automatically: export on the old server, import on the new one. If there's no database server on the new machine yet, you can have MariaDB set up right away.

After the move you only need to check the credentials in your application. If your database should also be reachable from outside, for example for a tool on your PC, see our guide Allow external connections to MariaDB and MySQL. For a web interface to your databases, install phpMyAdmin.

Magic Transit reliably moves your data from Linux to Windows or from Windows to Linux. Programs and services, however, work differently on each operating system. Plan a few minutes for the follow-up work:

• Install software on the target: Web server, PHP, Java, Node.js or game server files must be installed on the new system.
• Adjust paths: /var/www becomes, for example, C:\inetpub or a folder of your choice – update paths in configuration files accordingly.
• Upper and lower case: Linux file names are case-sensitive, Windows file names aren't. Check files that differ only in case.
• Permissions and users: Linux file permissions don't exist in the same form on Windows (and vice versa). Set owners and permissions again on the target.
• Services and autostart: systemd services on Linux or Windows services and scheduled tasks have to be set up again on the new server.

Besides the browser-based move, transit.magichosting.de also offers downloads:

• Windows app (MagicTransit.exe): for moves from or to your own PC – or directly between servers, without the online service at all.
• Server files (magictransit.sh for Linux, magictransit.exe for Windows): The page for your move loads them automatically. For manual use you can also download them directly.

• New server is ready and reachable via SSH or RDP
• root/sudo or administrator access on both servers
• Enough free storage on the new server
• Folders and databases to move are decided
• Services with rapidly changing data (e.g. game servers, shops) briefly paused so nothing new is added
• Move started and completed with Magic Transit
• Application tested on the new server
• DNS, domains and connection details switched to the new server
• Old server cancelled only after a few days without problems

• Switching hosts: You move your website, Discord bot or game server to MagicHosting.
• Upgrade: Your project has grown and needs a bigger VPS or a dedicated server.
• New operating system: You reinstall the server, for example with a new Debian or Ubuntu version, and bring your data back.
• Platform switch: Your project should move from Windows to Linux – or the other way round.
• Backup copy: You mirror important folders and databases to a second server.

At MagicHosting you get affordable servers that are ready for your move in minutes:

• KVM VPS with root access, NVMe and DDoS protection – Linux or Windows
• LXC containers for lightweight Linux projects
• Configure your own server with exactly the resources you need
• Free 24-hour test server before you decide

Questions about your move, or would you like us to help? Just open a support ticket or reach out on our Discord. We're always happy to hear ideas and wishes for Magic Transit – good suggestions get built in.

Try it now: Start your server move with Magic Transit