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How to Use Magento Migration Tool?

By Sanjay JethvaUpdated on May 21, 2025 4 min read

Magento 1 ceased in 2020, making it important to migrate to Magento 2 to continue running your store smoothly.

If you are looking to use the Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration tool, then this blog is the right stop.

Here, I will share a detailed overview of how the Magento data migration tool works and how to implement it. 

But first, let’s start with the fundamentals. 

What is the Magento Migration Tool & How Does it Help?

Magento data migration tool is a built-in command-line interface (CLI) service that helps you move data from Magento 1 to Magento 2.

The Magento data migration tool is helpful in several ways, such as:

  • It accurately integrates data, preventing data loss
  • Efficiently execute the migration process—no manual work needed
  • Ensures constant steps during and after the migration process
  • Manage all types of data fields, structures, and extensions

The tool is free to use; following its detailed instructions, you can transfer all the store data, such as products, customers, orders, settings, and store configurations, without any hassle. 

How Does the Magento Data Migration Tool Work?

The Magento 2 migration tool confirms consistency between the database structures, monitoring the progress of data transfer, creating logs, and implementing data verification tests.

The tool works in three phrases:

PhrasesData migration 
Settings ModeSystem configuration and website-related settings 
Data ModeDatabase assets in bulk
Delta ModeIncremental changes like new customers and orders

The Magento 2 data migration tool then breaks down each mode into more detailed steps to reduce the risk of data corruption. 

List of Steps While Using the Data Migration Tool

List of steps while using the data migration tool

How to Use the Data Migration Tool for Magento 1 to 2?​

To utilize the Magento data migration tool, you just have to follow this simple three-step process.

Step 1: Install the data migration tool

Step 2: Configure the data migration

Step 3: Migrate your data

Step 1: Install the Data Migration Tool

Ensure Magento 2 is installed and the Magento migration tool matches the Magento 2 version. Check the Magento version via Composer or the GitHub repository.

Then, there are two methods to install the Magento 2 data migration tool

  • repo.magento.com
  • GitHub

Install using the method that feels right to you. 

Step 2: Configure the Data Migration

You need to create a configuration file. There are 2 ways to configure the data migration tool:

  • Using a separate module (recommended method)
  • Changing the vendor file 

Here are the steps to configure migration using a separate module. 

Start with creating a Magento 2 module. Then, copy the config.xml.dist configuration file from the Data Migration Tool directory. 

If you migrate from Magento 1.9.3.6 Community Edition to Magento 2 Open Source, then your configuration will look like this:

cd <your Magento 2 install dir>
cp vendor/magento/data-migration-tool/etc/opensource-to-opensource/1.9.3.6/config.xml.dist app/code/Vendor/Migration/etc/opensource-to-opensource/1.9.3.6/config.xml

Setting access details to M1 and M2 databases and encryption keys is essential. 

Step 3: Migrate Your Data

Transfer settings

To start setting transfer, apply:

**bin/magento migrate:data [-r	–reset] [-a	–auto] {}**

Here:

  • [-r –reset] starts migration from the start.
  • {} is the absolute file system path to the migration tool’s XML file

Transfer changes

After you have completed the main migration, you can add extra data from your Magento 1 database.

To run recent data, apply the following command line:

**bin/magento migrate:delta [-r	–reset] {}**

Keep checking for errors and warnings during each execution of a step.

Migration Checklist for the Data Migration Tool

After you transfer your Magento store using the data migration tool, verify 

  • Remove any outdated data from your Magento 1 database before migration
  • Reindex ensures the Magento search engine is up-to-date with the new data
  • Run your migration first in the testing environment and then in production
  • Stop all Magento 1.x cron job activities during migration 

Hire a Magento Expert

Magento migration tool makes data migration easy but if not done properly there are high chances of missing out on essential store data.

Instead, hire our Magento expert for a smooth migration.

We will migrate your entire Magento 1 store safely into Magento 2 without any data loss or store damage.

Sanjay Jethva Full Image
Article bySanjay Jethva

Sanjay is the co-founder and CTO of Meetanshi with hands-on expertise with Magento since 2011. He specializes in complex development, integrations, extensions, and customizations. Sanjay is one the top 50 contributor to the Magento community and is recognized by Adobe. His passion for Magento 2 and Shopify solutions has made him a trusted source for businesses seeking to optimize their online stores. He loves sharing technical solutions related to Magento 2 & Shopify.