It's common to install an app like WordPress on a temporary domain or a subdomain first, then later want it running on your main domain instead. Softaculous has a built-in option that moves an installed app, along with its files and database, to a new domain, subdomain, or folder. You don't need to reinstall the app or manually copy anything.
Before You Start
Moving an app changes its web address immediately once you save the change. Keep the following in mind before you begin:
- Take a full backup of the app first, in case anything needs to be reverted.
- Make sure the destination domain or subdomain already exists on your hosting account and isn't already running another app.
- Note your current admin login details, since you'll use the same ones after the move.
This isn't reversible with an undo button. If you make a mistake, you'll need to restore from the backup you took beforehand.
Finding Softaculous in Your Control Panel
The Softaculous interface itself looks and works the same regardless of which control panel you use. Only where you open it from differs.
In cPanel
Log in to cPanel and look in the Software section for the icon of the app you installed (for example WordPress), or open Softaculous Apps Installer directly.
In DirectAdmin
Log in to DirectAdmin and look for the Softaculous Apps Installer icon, usually under the Extras or Advanced Features section, depending on your hosting setup.
How to Move the App
- Open Softaculous and click the All Installations icon (sometimes shown as a list or grid icon in the top menu).
- Find the installation you want to move in the list and click the Edit (pencil) icon next to it.
- On the edit screen, look for the Choose Protocol and Choose Domain fields. Select the new domain or subdomain you want the app to run on.
- If you want the app to run at the domain's root rather than a subfolder, clear the In Directory field. Leave it blank for the main domain, or type a folder name if you want it in a subfolder.
- Scroll down and click Save Installation Details.
Softaculous will move the app's files and database to the new location and update its configuration automatically. This can take a few minutes for larger sites.
After the Move
- Test the new domain or subdomain address to confirm the site loads correctly.
- Log in to the app's admin area (using your existing admin credentials) to check that everything, including uploaded images and settings, came across.
- The old address will no longer show the app. If it was your live domain, update any bookmarks, saved links, or DNS settings that pointed to it.
If you'd rather keep a copy running in both places instead of relocating it, see our guide on cloning a Softaculous app to create a staging copy.