3 Proven ways to migrate a MySQL database to a new server or cloud

Moving a MySQL database—whether to a new server, cloud provider, or modern infrastructure—doesn't have to be painful. If you're running a business-critical web application, a clean and reliable migration is key to uptime and future scalability.

Here are three approaches we use when helping clients transition their data environments as part of larger automation or web app development projects.

1. The Classic Way: mysqldump Export & Import

If you're dealing with a smaller MySQL database or want full control over the process, this method still gets the job done.

Steps in a nutshell:

# Export from the old server
mysqldump -u user -p database_name > dump.sql

# Move the dump file to the new server
scp dump.sql user@your-new-server:/your/path

# Restore it on the new environment
mysql -u user -p new_database_name < dump.sql

When it makes sense:

• Small to medium databases
• Minimal write activity during migration
• You're okay with a bit of downtime

Why we like it:
It’s transparent, scriptable, and easy to debug if something goes wrong. Not ideal for high-traffic platforms, but solid for most straightforward cases.

2. Live Migration via Replication

When you're running production systems and can't afford extended downtime, we usually set up replication-based migration.

How it works:

• Enable binlog on the source MySQL server
• Configure the target server as a replication slave
• Let it catch up in real time
• Promote the new server and switch your app over

This approach is perfect for:

• Live web applications with steady traffic
• Mission-critical systems
• Teams that want to test before switching fully

We’ve used this method in projects where uptime was non-negotiable—like logistics dashboards or customer-facing SaaS apps.

3. Using Pro Tools (Percona, MyDumper, or Managed Cloud Services)

For large-scale databases or high-load systems, we rely on specialized tools to migrate efficiently, often with zero downtime.

Top picks we use:

• Percona XtraBackup – great for hot backups and large datasets
• MyDumper / MyLoader – excellent for fast parallel processing
• Cloud-native tools, including:
  • AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
  • Google Cloud DMS
  • Azure Database Migration Service

Why choose these:
They’re fast, reliable, and often part of larger automation workflows we help build for clients scaling their web infrastructure.

Need Help Migrating Your MySQL Database?

At Plantagoweb, we specialize in expert web application development and infrastructure automation. If your team is growing and you’re hitting the limits of your current setup, database migration is often the first step in scaling properly.

Whether you're:

• Moving to the cloud (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Replacing legacy servers
• Or integrating into a larger platform

—we’ll handle your MySQL migration end-to-end: planning, execution, and everything in between.
Let’s talk about how we can help your product scale with confidence. You can also explore more details about our migration service here.

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