You can move your Nitrado game server to game-serverhosting by first backing up all relevant server data, then starting the import via SFTP or upload, and thoroughly checking the new server before canceling. Important: the old server remains untouched until successful verification, so you can always fall back to your original data.
Requirements
For the migration, you need an active Nitrado account with access to the affected game server, the FTP or SFTP login details, enough local storage space for a backup, and a target setup at game-serverhosting. Also plan time for download, upload, and a test start. The basic setup is often completed quickly, but the actual duration depends on world size, mod scope, and your connection.
Use the Nitrado server panel at server.nitrado.net as the official starting point for your existing server. Use only login details that are shown directly in your account or that you set there yourself.
If you want to refresh general file management before the migration, the internal guide SFTP access to the game server - manage files will help you. For migrations from other providers, you can also find the overview Move a game server: from any host to game-serverhosting.
Step 1: Find Nitrado SFTP Login Details
- Log in at server.nitrado.net.
- Select the game server you want to transfer.
- Open the Configuration section in the left menu.
- Go to FTP Browser or Login Details.
- Write down the displayed connection details.
Typically, you need this information:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Host | Server address, for example de5.gameservers.nitra.do |
| Port | Often 21 for FTP or 22 for SFTP |
| Username | Your displayed FTP/SFTP user |
| Password | The FTP/SFTP password set in the panel |
Use SFTP via port 22 if possible, because compared with plain FTP, the connection is better suited for protected file transfer. If SFTP does not work, first check whether the port is correct and whether a separate password must be set in the Nitrado panel.
Step 2: Save a Complete Backup
Before importing anything, create a complete copy of your current server state. There are three useful ways to do this.
Option A: Direct SFTP Import
With direct SFTP import, you enter the Nitrado login details in the game-serverhosting migration wizard. The import reads the data directly from the old server. This is practical if access works reliably and you do not want to prepare a local archive first.
Option B: Download and Upload a Backup
If you want maximum control, connect with an SFTP client such as FileZilla and download the game folder. For Minecraft, the path can look something like this, for example:
/games/ni_12345/minecraft/
Do not only back up the world folders, but also configuration files, plugin folders, mod folders, whitelists, ban lists, and startup parameter files, as far as they are located in the server directory. After that, you can compress the data into a ZIP file. If your import path uses a size limit, observe the limit shown in the wizard; in the original process, a ZIP upload of up to 10 GB was planned.
Option C: Nitrado Backup Function
Some plans or games offer a backup section in the panel. If available, you can download an existing backup or create a new backup there under Game Server → Backups. Then import the .tar.gz file in the wizard, provided this format is offered in the import dialog.
Step 3: Start the Migration Wizard
Open /migrate?hoster=nitrado and first select the game. Then choose SFTP import or upload. For SFTP, enter the host, port, username, and password. For upload, select your prepared archive.
game-serverhosting is paid multi-game hosting. During the order process, you select a suitable plan, check the configuration, and complete the order. If the import shows notes about game variant, mods, plugins, slots, or memory requirements, understand this information as technical guidance and compare it against your previous server operation.
Step 4: Check the Result
Start the new server in a controlled way first, then check the most important points:
- Is the right world loaded?
- Are mods and plugins present?
- Are whitelist, ops, ban lists, and permissions correct?
- Do configuration files and server properties fit?
- Are there error messages in the log?
- Can players connect?
For Minecraft, you should also make sure that the first start and EULA acceptance were processed cleanly. The internal guide Minecraft EULA & first server start fits this. For log analysis and terminal work, Linux game server commands - the most important terminal commands helps.
Cancel the Nitrado server only once you have tested the new server and no relevant data is missing.
Troubleshooting
SFTP Connection Fails
Check the host, port, username, and password character by character. Pay attention to whether you are using FTP port 21 or SFTP port 22. If you have just changed the password, wait briefly and try again.
Import Stops With Large Data
Download the data locally, remove cache files or old log archives that you do not need to migrate, and create a new archive. Still keep the unchanged original backup separately.
Mods or Plugins Do Not Start
Compare the game version, modloader, plugin versions, and Java version. Many errors are not caused by the migration itself, but by version differences between the old and new setup.
World State Is Not Current
Stop the old server before the final backup so no new data is written. Then create a fresh backup again and import it again.
How to Cancel Your Nitrado Server — Only After Testing
Cancel only once the new server demonstrably works. While your Nitrado contract is active you still have a way back; after it ends, the files stored there are usually no longer accessible.
An order that keeps you safe:
- Test the new server completely — world, mods, plugins and player access, using the same client version you actually play on.
- Keep a second copy of the backup — locally or on your own storage, independent of both providers.
- Find the cancellation path in your customer account — usually under the contract, subscription or renewal section for that server.
- Check auto-renewal separately — with many providers this is its own switch, independent of cancelling.
- Keep the confirmation — until the billing period you paid for has ended.
Which notice period applies to your contract, and where exactly the cancellation option sits, is stated in your order confirmation and in Nitrado's own terms. Check both there directly before you cancel — do not rely on outside sources, including this page.
Download whatever you want to keep before cancelling. World saves, configuration files and logs are usually unavailable once the contract ends.
If you are unsure about any step, let the old server run one more billing period. Paying twice for a single month costs less than losing a world save.
Checks, Limits, and a Safe Way Back
The guide “Nitrado Migration: Migrate a Game Server to game-serverhosting” applies to the server type described in the article and the version state visible at the time of checking. Menu names, available versions, mod or plugin compatibility, and required resources may differ after updates. Therefore, do not transfer values unchecked to another game, loader, or server version.
Before making changes to the world, game state, configuration, or extensions, create a backup of the affected files. Then change only one related step and check it with the same client and server version you want to play with later.
| Check point | Expected result | Stop and way back |
|---|---|---|
| Server start | The server reaches the ready-to-run state without a new error message. | If startup errors occur, revert the change and restore the latest backup. |
| Connection test | A test account can connect via the address shown in the panel. | If version or connection errors occur, compare the version, port, and approvals again. |
| Function test | The specifically changed function works without damaging existing world or game data. | If side effects occur, stop the server and restore the backed-up files. |
A successful single test is not a performance or availability guarantee. World size, mods, plugins, player count, network path, and simultaneous load can change the result. Document the version, change, and test result so you can understand later deviations.
FAQ
Can I Import My Nitrado Server Directly via SFTP?
Yes, if your Nitrado access allows SFTP and the login details are correct. The wizard can then fetch the files directly. Alternatively, use the upload of a local backup.
What Happens to My Plugins and Mods?
Files located in the backed-up server folder are transferred during a complete import. Whether they start without errors afterward depends on the game version, modloader, dependencies, and configuration.
Should I Cancel Nitrado Before the Migration?
No. Cancel only after successfully testing the new server. This keeps access to original data in case a backup was incomplete or you need a file again.
How Do I Cancel My Nitrado Server Correctly?
Cancel only after the new server has been tested. You will find the cancellation option in your customer account, in the contract or subscription area for that server. The applicable notice period is stated in your order confirmation and in Nitrado's terms — check it there directly. Also disable auto-renewal if it is handled as a separate switch, and back up everything you want to keep beforehand.
Is SFTP Better Than FTP?
For the migration, SFTP is preferable if it is available, because it is designed for protected file transfer. Use FTP only if SFTP does not work in your specific setup.
Can I Import a Minecraft World and Plugins Separately?
The most reliable path is importing the complete server folder. After that, you can remove unneeded files in the file manager or adjust them specifically.
What Should I Do if the New Server Does Not Start?
Read the server log first. Common causes are missing mod dependencies, wrong game versions, damaged configuration files, or an incompatible startup parameter.