Will WP Ghost Affect WordPress Migration Plugins?

No. WP Ghost doesn’t move, rename or edit any files, so migration plugins copy your site as usual. A full server migration needs a settings backup before the move and a Frontend Test after it. A domain-only change needs a cache clear.

Why Don’t Migration Plugins Have Issues with WP Ghost?

WP Ghost works through URL rewrite rules and WordPress filters that run on each request. Browsers and bots see the new paths, but plugins, themes, uploads and core files stay where WordPress put them. Migration plugins like UpdraftPlus, Duplicator and WP Migrate copy those physical files and the database. Nothing on disk was changed, so the copy works as on any other WordPress site.

What Should I Do When Changing Just the Domain Name?

A domain-only change in Settings > General (for example, staging.example.com to example.com) needs no WP Ghost changes. Its settings store paths, not the domain name. Clear all caches after the change, and the custom paths keep working on the new domain.

What Should I Do for a Full Server or Site Migration?

A full migration means a new server, a duplicated site, or a migration plugin that transfers everything. Use these two steps:

Before migrating: Back up your WP Ghost settings from WP Ghost > Backup/Restore. Then deactivate the plugin. With WP Ghost off, the default WordPress paths are active while the migration plugin copies files and rebuilds the database.

After migrating: Reactivate WP Ghost on the new server and restore the saved settings from WP Ghost > Backup/Restore. Run a Frontend Test from WP Ghost > Change Paths to check whether the new server needs extra configuration (Nginx servers may need the hidemywp.conf include added). Clear all caches on the new server.

The restored backup carries every WP Ghost path and option, so the new server starts with the same settings as the old one.

Which Migration and Backup Plugins Are Compatible with WP Ghost?

WP Ghost works with UpdraftPlus, BackupGuard, BackUpWordPress, WP Time Capsule, All-in-One WP Migration, Duplicator and ManageWP. For ManageWP, set WP Ghost’s Plugin Loading Hook to “Must Use Plugin”.

Caching plugins raise more WP Ghost compatibility questions than migration plugins do. WP Ghost has been tested with WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, Breeze, Autoptimize, Hummingbird and others. For the full list, see the compatible plugins list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to deactivate WP Ghost before every migration?

For full server migrations, yes, so the default paths are active during the transfer. For a domain-only change, no. Clear the cache afterwards.

Will my WP Ghost settings survive the migration?

Yes, if the migration plugin transfers the database, because WP Ghost stores its settings there. The rewrite rules in .htaccess may need to be regenerated on the new server. A Frontend Test after the migration shows whether they’re in place.

What if the new server is a different type (Apache to Nginx)?

WP Ghost has to write its rewrite rules in the new server’s format. Restore and save the WP Ghost settings on the new server, then follow the setup for that server type. For Nginx, see the Nginx setup guide. For Apache, check that AllowOverride All is set.

Does WP Ghost modify WordPress core files?

No. WP Ghost uses server rewrite rules and WordPress filters at runtime, and no file on disk is changed. That’s why migration plugins have nothing to conflict with. Deactivating WP Ghost brings back all default paths at once.