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Adding this as my request and info have changed...

Has anyone here used the free Migrate Guru addon and service ??

It seems to be very complete...?

My original request:
I'm posting this as a request because the info I've been able to find mostly avoids the main concern of mine=>
Having a fully set up WP site WITH activated/paid addons and being able to make a usable clone of that which restores that exact same way.
(I don't have the activation codes for the ones I'm concerned about...!)

So:
Does anyone here know of what works best to accomplish a 100%, ready to use migration WITH all addons still activated ??

I've done some work with Backup Buddy and it fails with about 50% of the addons, but does the rest perfectly.

Been looking all around for what may be better and all the write-ups I've found say about the same things - use Duplicator, UpdraftPlus, All-in-One WP Migration, BackupBuddy, or WP Migrate DB Pro.

What I have done:
In my efforts to migrate a ready to use site, my biggest learning was that it is easiest to use softaculous to install WP at destination to make DB just right, being sure and record ALL the DB details, then delete everything including .htaccess from public_html BEFORE restoring the copy of the site there.

It was a bit of a PITA, but mostly worked.

Sadly, most of the not activated addons were parts of Astra Pro (Astra Premium Sites, etc...) - and I'd prefer not to be forced to buy that as it is not an expense I'm prepared for right now.

for any education, pointers, etc. !!

PS:
Here are some related links...

I always use All in One WP Migration + Gdrive extension for backup and clone WordPress. Really, it never fails if we do some essential works before backup and restore:
1. Make sure PHP version is the same in both hosting.
2. Make sure your hosting storage and Google Drive enough for backup file.
3. Some PHP Options, like PHP Execute Time limit, should be long enough for processing restore backup file.
4. Turn off PHP Opcache extension if it's be enabled.

For clone site, after restoring, use Better Search and Replace find the old domain links and replace it to new domain links because some links of images still the same on old sites.
I did try UpdraftPlus, it's ok with premium version, Duplicator ok, too. But both of them still fail sometimes.
BackupBuddy is really terrible!

for your helpful reply Dccountrydz !!!
(+Rep added, of course.)
Does that procedure also work well to keep premium addons fully activated ??
(BTW, I thought BackupBuddy was less than great also.)

(09-26-2018 05:25 PM)smithnowt Wrote: [ -> ] for your helpful reply Dccountrydz !!!
(+Rep added, of course.)
Does that procedure also work well to keep premium addons fully activated ??
(BTW, I thought BackupBuddy was less than great also.)

All status not change, but some plugins (or theme) if you did active license with single key license, it will require active license again if you restore site in new domain.
Not surprise, in the new domain, the theme - plugins will automatically connect to server of dev to verify license and check updates.

I found very little posted here for the All in One WP Migration and its extensions; - is there a best way to get it ??

Also - does anyone know of ways to dig out the activation codes for addons that don't transfer fully activated/regged ??

My request and info have changed...OP edited to reflect this.

Just a hopeful bump ?!?