Preparation
• Ensure you are authorized to move the site.
• In the source cPanel, note the document root (usually public_html).
• In Joomla admin, optionally set the site Offline to freeze content during migration.
• Verify the PHP version used on the source so you can match it on the destination.
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Step 1: Backup and Package Files
1. Log in to the source cPanel → open File Manager.
2. Navigate to the site’s root folder.
3. Select all files → Compress into joomla-site.zip.
4. Download the zip to your computer.
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Step 2: Export the Database
1. Open phpMyAdmin in source cPanel.
2. Select the Joomla database (check configuration.php if unsure).
3. Click Export → choose Quick & SQL → download joomla.sql.
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Step 3: Create Database on Destination
1. In the destination cPanel → open MySQL Database Wizard.
2. Create a new database.
3. Create a new MySQL user with a strong password.
4. Assign user to database with All Privileges.
5. Note down DB name, DB user, and DB password.
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Step 4: Upload Files to Destination
1. In destination cPanel → File Manager → target document root.
2. Upload joomla-site.zip.
3. Select the file → Extract.
4. Confirm all Joomla folders exist (administrator, components, modules, templates, etc.).
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Step 5: Import Database on Destination
1. Open phpMyAdmin in destination cPanel.
2. Select the new database.
3. Click Import → upload joomla.sql → click Go.
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Step 6: Update configuration.php
1. In File Manager, open configuration.php.
2. Update values:
public $host = 'localhost';
public $user = 'NEW_DB_USER';
public $password = 'NEW_DB_PASSWORD';
public $db = 'NEW_DB_NAME';
public $dbprefix = 'ko3ex_'; // keep the same prefix
public $log_path = '/home/DEST_USER/logs';
public $tmp_path = '/home/DEST_USER/tmp';
3. Save changes.
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Step 7: Match PHP & Extensions
• In destination cPanel, open MultiPHP Manager → set correct PHP version.
• In Select PHP Extensions, enable: mysqli, json, mbstring, zip, xml, gd, intl, curl.
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Step 8: DNS & SSL
• Add the domain in destination cPanel if not already present.
• Update domain DNS (nameservers or A record) to point to the new server.
• Once live, run AutoSSL to issue HTTPS.
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Step 9: Final Checks
• Log into Joomla admin (/administrator).
• Clear cache: System → Clear Cache → delete all.
• Test site features, menus, images, and forms.
• Confirm email sending works.
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Troubleshooting
• Database connection error → Check DB name, user, password in configuration.php.
• 500 error / blank page → Fix $log_path and $tmp_path, ensure PHP version compatibility.
• Broken SEO URLs → Check .htaccess and Joomla SEO settings.
• Missing images → Ensure files extracted to the correct root.
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Summary
By packaging the files, exporting/importing the database, updating configuration.php, and matching PHP settings, you can migrate a Joomla site between cPanel accounts quickly and safely.