---
title: "Import Install - Restore onto a running WordPress site"
url: https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/import-install
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-20
alternate:
  vi: https://phatdev.net/docs/sl-migrations/import-install
markdown: https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/import-install.md
---

# Import Install - Restore onto a running WordPress site

Part of the doc set: [SL Migrations](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations.md)

> Restore an archive into an existing WordPress site without uploading the installer.

## Import Install

**Import Install** lets you restore a backup into a running WordPress site without uploading the installer file by hand. The SL Migrations plugin on the destination site works directly with the archive.

## When to use it

- The destination site already has a fresh WordPress running
- You want to restore another site's content onto it
- You have no FTP/SFTP upload access (only wp-admin)
- The backup file is moderate in size and can be uploaded through wp-admin

## Steps

### 1. On the destination site

- Install a fresh WordPress
- Install and activate the SL Migrations plugin

### 2. Upload the archive

**SL Migrations → Import** → drag and drop the archive file into the upload area. The plugin uploads and validates it automatically.

### 3. Run the import

- Click **Continue** on the archive package you just uploaded
- The plugin runs the installer in its own internal UI (no redirect to installer.php)
- The 4 steps are the same as the regular installer

### 4. Confirm

When it is done, the plugin redirects you to the wp-admin of the **newly restored** site.

## Comparison with Overwrite Install

| Import Install | Overwrite Install |
|---|---|
| The destination site must have WordPress + the SL Migrations plugin | The destination can be empty with just installer.php |
| Upload through wp-admin | Upload through FTP/SFTP/file manager |
| Runs inside the plugin UI | Runs through the `installer.php` URL |
| Suited to moderate file sizes | Suited to large files |

## Common errors

- **Upload fails**: the archive file is larger than PHP's upload limit. See [Fixing upload errors](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/how-to-handle-import-install-upload-launch-issues).
- **Memory limit**: raise `memory_limit` in php.ini or contact your hosting provider.
- **Timeout**: for a large archive, raise `max_execution_time` or use [Two-Part Install](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/two-part-install) instead.

## See also

- [Overwrite Install](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/overwrite-install)
- [Classic Install](https://phatdev.net/en/docs/sl-migrations/classic-install)