How can I migrate Alby Hub to a different machine?

1. Self-hosted (Free) -> Self-hosted (Free)

2. Self-hosted (Pro) -> Self-hosted (Pro)

3. Self-hosted (Pro) -> Alby Cloud

4. Alby Cloud -> Self-hosted (Pro)

Important Notice: Please Read Before Continuing

You can migrate your Alby Hub to another device while maintaining full access to your funds.

Alby Hub is encrypted with the password you chose during setup. Only you can decrypt and access its data even if your Hub is running in the cloud. This also means that only you can perform a migration.

Scope of This Guide

• This guide only refers to migrating Alby Hubs using the embedded lightning node. If you connected an external lightning node (e.g. LND), you can install Alby Hub on any other device and link it again.

• Migrations from or to Alby Hubs with an externally connected lightning node (e.g. LND) are not supported currently.

Before You Start

• Make sure to have your 12-word recovery phrase and unlock password securely backed up.

• During and after the migration, do not restart your original Alby Hub instance. Running both instances may cause issues such as force-closing lightning channels.

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1. Self-hosted (Free) -> Self-hosted (Free) migration

How to migrate your self-hosted Alby Hub (without a subscription) to another device

These steps help you move your self-hosted Alby Hub to another device without a subscription, while keeping all channels active.

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2. Self-hosted Pro -> Self-hosted Pro

How to migrate your self-hosted Alby Hub (Pro) to another device

These steps help you move your self-hosted Alby Hub with an active Pro subscription to another device, while keeping all channels active. You will only need to reconnect your apps afterward.

Before you start

• A self-hosted Alby Hub with an active Pro subscription

• Dynamic Channels Backup enabled: Alby Hub → Settings → Backup

Migration steps

1. Follow the same process described in: Alby Cloud -> Self-hosted Pro migration

Note, at the moment it is not possible to migrate a self-hosted Alby Hub with a Pro subscription with enabled dynamic channels backup to a self-hosted Alby Hub without a subscription. If you would like this feature, please submit a feature request to our feedback board.

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3. Self-hosted (Pro) -> Alby Cloud migration

How to migrate your self-hosted Alby Hub (Pro) to Alby Cloud

These steps help you move your self-hosted Pro Hub to Alby Cloud, while keeping all channels active. You will only need to reconnect your apps afterward.

Before you start

1. Make sure you have a self-hosted Alby Hub with an active Pro subscription.

2. Dynamic Channels Backup enabled: Alby Hub → Settings → Backup

3. Once Dynamic Channels Backup is enabled, shut down your self-hosted Hub.

   ⚠️ Important: Do not start it again. Restarting the old instance may force-close your lightning channels.

Migration steps

1. Go to getalby.com/subscription/new and subscribe to Alby Cloud.

2. Complete the onboarding process.

3. Click “Advanced Setup”.

1. Click "Import Existing Recovery Phrase"

2. Choose an unlock password (can be the same as your old one, or a new one) and then enter your 12-word recovery phrase.

That's it. The migration is done. Your new Alby Cloud Hub is now available at: my.albyhub.com.

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4. Alby Cloud -> Self-hosted (Pro) migration

How to migrate your Alby Hub from Alby Cloud to a self-hosted setup with a Pro subscription

These steps help you move your Alby Hub from Alby Cloud to a self-hosted device with a Pro subscription, while keeping all channels active. You will only need to reconnect your apps afterward.

Before you start

1. Enable Dynamic Channels Backup In your current Alby Hub, go to: Settings → Backup Make sure Dynamic Channels Backup is enabled.

   • If it is not enabled, activate it.

   • Click the red restart button in the top-right corner.

   • Unlock your Hub again.

   • Double-check that Dynamic Channels Backup is now enabled.

2. Confirm access to your 12-word recovery phrase.

Migration steps

1. Go to getalby.com/subscription and unsubscribe.

   This will delete your current Alby Cloud Hub.

2. Go to getalby.com/subscription/pro and subscribe to Pro. This ensures you can continue using Dynamic Channels Backup.

3. Install your self-hosted Alby Hub. ⚠️ Important: We recommend using a device that is always online (e.g., a cloud server, Start9, or Umbrel).

4. Start your new Alby Hub and go through the onboarding process.

5. During onboarding, connect the Hub to the same Alby Account you used previously.

6. Click “Advanced Setup”.

1. Click "Import Existing Recovery Phrase"

2. Choose an unlock password (can be the same as your old one, or a new one) and then enter your 12-word recovery phrase.

That's it. The migration is done.

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We are happy to assist you in the migration! 🎉 Reach out us to support.getalby.com and request our help in your migration 💪🔐 Alby Cloud and Self-hosting Pro subscribers can also schedule a 1:1 call here: https://cal.com/getalby/user-support

💳 Get Your Alby Hub Cloud! Unlock exclusive benefits and maximize your experience with the Alby Hub Cloud. Ensure your Hub is always ready for transactions and enjoy premium features.

🔄 Migrate to a Different Alby Hub Flavor! Ready for a change? Discover and migrate to a different flavor of Alby Hub that suits your needs best. Explore new features and enhancements.

🛠️ Learn About Alby Hub Backend Technologies! Curious about the technologies powering Alby Hub Cloud? Dive into the backend tech that makes everything run smoothly and efficiently.

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Thank you for stopping by! This section was created with contributions from Moritz & Jean-Paul