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Managing Translations When Migrating from Development to Production or Copying Your Site

Nikoletta
Updated
May 26, 2025

Learn how to set up WPML properly when you create a copy of your site or migrate it to a new domain.

Copying or moving your site affects your WPML site key, automatic translation, and Advanced Translation Editor features.

To set up WPML and be able to use automatic translation on your new site, follow two essential steps:

  1. Complete WPML’s migration wizard. WPML automatically detects changes to your site’s URL and shows you a migration wizard on your new site’s dashboard.
  1. Unregister the new site and then re-register with a new site key. Don’t register the new site before unregistering first, as this will cause issues with your automatic translation credits.

Migration Cases

Below are the main types of migration you can do through WPML’s migration wizard.

Move site To New URL

For example, moving from development to production.

On the wizard’s first question, select No / I changed the address of the site to this one

Copy site with Or without Migration Code

For example, creating a staging/testing environment.

On the wizard’s first question, select Yes / This is just a copy – original is still running

1. Completing WPML’s Migration Wizard

Go through the wizard and select the options that match your migration case.

  • If you’re moving your site permanently, confirm this in the migration wizard and WPML will handle the rest.
  • If your site is a copy, choose whether to use the migration code to share credits between sites.

The following table summarizes each case’s implications for WPML’s automatic translation and the Advanced Translation Editor.

Move site to new URLCopy site with migration codeCopy site without migration code
What happens to the original site?No longer in use.Still running.Still running.
How are automatic translation and the translation editor affected?You can translate on the new site only. On the old site, you won’t be able to use the Translation Management page or the WPML translation editor.You can translate as normal on both sites.You can translate as normal on both sites.
What happens to automatic translation credits?Automatic translation credits are moved to the new site.Automatic translation credits are shared between sites.Credits aren’t shared, so you need to add credits or activate pay-as-you-go separately on the new site.
What happens to translation information (e.g. memory, glossary)?All translation information is moved to the new URL.Translation information is shared between original and new site.Translation information is copied from the original site, and then managed separately on the new site.

How To Get The Migration Code

When WPML’s migration wizard asks you to add a migration code, it’ll point you to a link where you can get the code. This link takes you to the Translation Tools page on the original site. Expand the Connected Sites section and copy the code.

2. Unregistering and Re-registering Your Site

The new site will appear registered, but the site key isn’t valid for that site. You need to unregister the new site first before registering it again:

  1. Go to Plugins → Add Plugin and navigate to the Commercial tab. 
  2. Click on Unregister WPML from this site.
  3. Register WPML again by getting a new site key from the prompt that appears in the Commercial tab.
Unregistering your new site before you register again

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Undo The Move To A New Site URL?

You may unintentionally move your original website to a new URL. WPML provides you with two options:

  • Undo the change and revert to the original site URL
  • Mark the original site as a copy to be able to translate on both sites

Option 1: Reverting to Your Original Site URL

If you want to revert to your original site URL, log into your original website. You should see a notification giving you the option to undo the move.

Clicking the link to revert to the original site URL

Reverting to your original domain allows you to resume translating there. However, the ability to update translations at the new URL will no longer be available.

Option 2: Marking the Original Site as a Copy

To be able to use your original site and its new location, first sign in to your original site. There, you’ll find a notification about your site moving to a new location that lets you mark your original site as a copy.

Choosing to mark your original site as a copy

What Should I Do If I Have Two Domains Pointing to the Same Website?

If you have multiple domains pointing to the same site, WPML may show the migration wizard when you log into your site via any of the additional domains. 

However, this isn’t a real case of site migration, and you shouldn’t use the wizard. Instead, follow these steps:

  1. Go to WPML → Support and click on the Troubleshooting link.
  2. On the WPML Troubleshooting page, click the button labeled Force-enable WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor.

These steps inform WPML that no migration is necessary. Now, you can use WPML’s Advanced Translation Editor to add, edit, and manage translations on both domains. You should also not see the migration wizard anymore.

Please note that this troubleshooting option is available in versions WPML 4.6.7 and above.