Moving your OneDrive for Business files from one Microsoft 365 account to another is crucial, especially for companies that are merging or changing how they operate. It’s not just about moving files—it’s also about keeping everything organized and making sure people can still access what they need. This article will guide you through the steps and tools you’ll need to migrate OneDrive for Business to another tenant, so your business can keep running without any hiccups.
Factors Affecting the OneDrive Migration from One Tenant to Another Procedure
Many causes are affecting this transition, do you know what are they? If not, then go through the below points to understand that:
- Large data amounts may prolong migration; fast internet speeds expedite the transfer process.
- Choose wisely; tools affect the efficiency and handling of metadata, permissions, and incremental migrations.
- Ensure seamless user access post-migration without disruption to workflows or permissions settings.
- Preserve file details like creation dates to maintain data integrity and compliance.
- Manage historical versions and ensure accessibility during and after migration.
- Test the compatibility of custom solutions and integrations with the new tenant environment.
- Consider bandwidth, latency, and security protocols to avoid migration disruptions.
- Inform users of changes and provide training for a smooth transition.
- Thoroughly test migrated data to ensure accuracy and address any issues promptly.
- Adhere to data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) throughout the migration process.
Best Practices to Migrate OneDrive for Business to Another Tenant
It is essential to follow the prerequisites to ensure a perfect transition. For the same, here we are going to explore the precise steps to be followed before moving toward the main task:
- Identify what data exists in each user’s OneDrive.
- Establish a mapping of users from the source to the target tenant.
- Review and document any unique permissions or sharing settings.
- Inform users about the migration schedule, downtime (if any), and any actions they need to take.
- Ensure OneDrive is set up and configured correctly in the target tenant.
- Verify licenses and storage quotas to accommodate the migrated data.
#Choose Migration Method:
- Manual Migration: Users download and re-upload their data.
- Third-party Tools: Utilize migration tools designed for OneDrive migrations.
- PowerShell Scripts: Automate migration tasks where feasible.
#Perform Test Migrations:
- Conduct pilot migrations for a subset of users to identify and resolve potential issues.
- Validate data integrity and user access post-migration.
Now, Learn How to Migrate OneDrive for Business to Another Tenant Manually
On the internet, two manual methods are available, but if we choose one, the PowerShell method is more reliable & capable. Now, you just have to explore & follow the PowerShell cmdlets which are given below. Remember, this solution is quite complicated & time-consuming depending on the volume of your data. So, if you are a technical user then this is your go-to solution, but if not, then you have to opt for an automated solution which is described further.
Step 1. Set up Necessary Modules
Install the required packages and the PnP PowerShell module.
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell -Force -AllowClobber
Install-Module SharePointPnPPowerShellOnline
Step 2. Verify Credentials for Source and Destination
Connect-SPOService -Url https://source-tenant-admin.sharepoint.com
Connect-PnPOnline -Url https://source-tenant-admin.sharepoint.com -UseWebLogin
Connect-SPOService -Url https://destination-tenant-admin.sharepoint.com
Connect-PnPOnline -Url https://destination-tenant-admin.sharepoint.com -UseWebLogin
Step 3. Export Data from User OneDrive
Start-SPOSiteMigration -SourceUrl “https://source-tenant-my.sharepoint.com/personal/user_source_tenant_com” -DestinationUrl “https://destination-tenant-my.sharepoint.com/personal/user_destination_tenant_com” -NoAzureACSAuth
Step 4. Upload Data to the Destination Tenant
Start-SPOSiteMigration -SourceUrl “https://source-tenant-my.sharepoint.com/personal/user_source_tenant_com” -DestinationUrl “https://destination-tenant-my.sharepoint.com/personal/user_destination_tenant_com” -NoAzureACSAuth
So, this method looks quite complex to opt for. Therefore, we have to consider an alternative method which is mentioned further.
Expert-Recommended Approach to Migrate OneDrive for Business to Another Tenant
SysTools OneDrive to OneDrive Migration Tool is a solution that is highly recommended right, now because of its advanced & exceptional functionalities. Plus, with this, it doesn’t matter whether you are familiar with technicalities or not since it is designed like this any user can execute the transition effortlessly & quickly.
Despite that, you can try this smart solution for free but with limited features & to gain an advantage of its advanced features, then you have to buy its, fully-featured version, which is quite affordable as compared to other utilities available on the internet.
Step 1. Download, install & run the software from the above buttons.
Step 2. Install & start the software on your machine. Then select Office 365 as a source and as a destination.
Step 3. Now, to migrate OneDrive to another tenant you have to check the Document check-box enable Migrate document permission, and use the group Mapping option. If you need to migrate only selective data then you can apply a Date-based filter. After applying all the required options click on “Next”.
Step 4. Now, enter the Office 365 source Admin ID and Application ID. Then click on the Validate button to validate permissions.
Step 5. You can see permissions are validated by software. After that, click on Next to move OneDrive from one tenant to another.
Step 6. Now, enter Office 365 destination Admin ID and Application ID then click on the Validate button.
Step 7. Once the software validated permission click on Next.
Step 8. Now, we have to create a mapping between source OneDrive users and destination OneDrive users. To do this task software provides three options: Fetch Users, Import Users, and Download Template.
Step 9. Once the mapping gets created, click on the Validate button to validate permission.
Step 10. After validating permission click on the Start Migration button to migrate OneDrive for business to another tenant.
Bring it All Together
In this comprehensive guide, we learned about how to migrate OneDrive for Business to another tenant using both manual & automated solutions. However, we explored that there is no reliable manual solution for this transition, so in that case, it is quite mandatory to opt for the specified smart solution. Still, this is your choice which have to opt for.
