How to migrate from UDM to UniFi OS Server

Ubiquiti’s release of UniFi OS Server means you can now host the full UniFi stack (Network, Identity, SiteMagic VPN) on your own hardware. No Cloud Key. No Dream Machine. No appliance needed.

If you’ve been running client networks on a UniFi Dream Machine (UDM or UDM Pro), you can now migrate those setups to UniFi OS Server and consolidate management across multiple sites.

Here’s how to do it.

Why migrate off a UDM?

UDMs are solid for single-site setups. But for MSPs or IT teams managing dozens of networks, they create overhead:

• One device per site
• Limited storage and CPU
• No centralized control
• No clean automation or scaling

Migrating to UniFi OS Server lets you:

• Centralize site management
• Eliminate hardware dependencies
• Standardize backups and updates
• Run in your own cloud, datacenter, or hosted provider

What you can migrate

You can migrate everything that lives in UniFi Network:

• Sites
• Devices (APs, switches, gateways)
• Wireless configs
• VLANs, firewall rules, port profiles
• Users, roles, IP settings

Currently, UniFi Protect, Access, and Talk settings do not transfer. Those apps are still hardware-bound.

Step 1 – Back up your UDM

Log into your UDM via unifi.ui.com or local IP.

Go to:

System Settings > Advanced > Backup

Click Download Backup. This will generate a .unf file containing all UniFi Network data.

Save this file somewhere secure. It will be imported into your UniFi OS Server instance.

Step 2 – Set up UniFi OS Server

If you haven’t already installed UniFi OS Server, follow one of these setup guides:

• macOS setup guide
• Windows setup guide
• Linux setup guide

Or skip the setup and use a managed provider like UniHosted.

Once UniFi OS Server is running, open it in your browser:

arduino

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`https://localhost:11443`

Step 3 – Restore your UDM backup

From the UniFi OS dashboard:

1. Choose “Restore from Backup”
2. Upload the .unf file you downloaded
3. Wait for the import process to complete

The system will recreate your site(s), device configs, and settings inside UniFi OS Server.

Step 4 – Re-adopt your devices

The backup restores site configs, but devices won’t automatically connect to the new controller. You’ll need to point them to the new UniFi OS Server.

Option 1: SSH into each device

bash

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`set-inform http://<your-unifi-os-ip>:8080/inform`

Run this on each AP, switch, or gateway.

Option 2: Use DHCP Option 43

Set DHCP Option 43 to point new devices to your UniFi OS Server. This is helpful if you manage adoption at scale.

Option 3: Factory reset + adopt

If SSH isn't available, reset the device and adopt it manually via the UniFi interface.

Step 5 – Verify everything

After adoption, double-check:

• Devices show up under the correct site
• VLANs, SSIDs, firewall rules are intact
• Firmware is current (or rolled back, if needed)
• Alerts and logs are populating
• Client data and performance metrics look correct

Optional: Decommission the UDM

Once you're confident the new UniFi OS Server is stable:

• Disconnect the UDM
• Remove it from your Site Manager dashboard
• Reassign DNS or DHCP if the UDM was your primary router

Note: UniFi OS Server is control plane only. It does not replace routing/firewall functions. You’ll need a standalone gateway (e.g. UXG-Pro or third-party router).

Final Thoughts

Migrating from a UniFi Dream Machine to UniFi OS Server gives you full control of your UniFi environment, especially if you manage multiple client networks.

With a simple .unf backup and restore, most of the transition is straightforward, followed by a one-time device re-adoption step. If you’d rather not manage containers, backups, SSL, or adoption workflows, we’ve already built a managed UniFi OS platform for you.

UniHosted runs UniFi OS Server across 30+ global regions, fully managed. Bring your .unf file and we’ll handle the migration, device adoption, and production setup. Schedule a call to migrate to UniFi OS. Limited onboarding slots available.