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How to Split a cPanel Account into Multiple Accounts

This guide shows you how to move addon domains out of one cPanel account and give each its own account. It needs WHM access, which means reseller or root level.

Domains and DNS2 min read19 steps6 screenshots

Why split an account?

cPanel is a control panel for one hosting account. Sometimes one account holds many websites through addon domains. An addon domain is an extra domain with its own site, hosted inside your account. This can get messy. If one site is hacked, the others may be affected. Splitting gives each site its own space, like moving each shop to its own building.

Before you begin

Warning: Take a full backup of the original account first. Do not delete anything until you have checked the new account works.
  • Work out which domain you want to move out.
  • Check your server has room and enough accounts allowed for you.

Method: Create a new account and copy the site

  1. Log in to WHM. WHM is the panel that creates and manages cPanel accounts.
  2. Click Create a New Account.
  3. Type the domain you want to move, a username and a password. Choose a package, which is a set of limits. Ask support if you are not sure which.
  4. Click Create.

This makes a new empty account for the domain.

Move the files

  1. Log in to the old account's cPanel.
  2. Open File Manager and find the addon domain's folder.
    Screenshot: Open File Manager and find the addon domain's folder.
  3. Select all files in it and choose Compress to make a zip file.
    Screenshot: Select all files in it and choose Compress to make a zip file.
  4. Download the zip.
  5. Log in to the new account's cPanel.
  6. Open File Manager, go to public_html, upload the zip and click Extract.

Move databases

  1. In the old account, open phpMyAdmin. phpMyAdmin is a tool to manage databases.
    Screenshot: In the old account, open phpMyAdmin . phpMyAdmin is a tool to manage databases.
  2. Select the site's database and click Export.
  3. In the new account, create a new database and a user in MySQL Databases.
    Screenshot: In the new account, create a new database and a user in MySQL Databases .
  4. Open phpMyAdmin there, choose the new database and click Import.
  5. Update the site's config file, for example wp-config.php for WordPress, with the new database name, user and password.

Move email

Create the same email accounts in the new cPanel. Then copy the mail over using a mail program, or ask support to help.

Switch over and clean up

  1. Test the site using a hosts-file preview or the temporary address.
  2. Remove the addon domain from the old account.
    Screenshot: Remove the addon domain from the old account.
  3. Check that the domain's DNS still points to your server.
  4. Keep the old backup for a few weeks.

Support can also help with account moves. Open a support ticket.

Screenshot: Support can also help with account moves. Open a support ticket .

Quick recap

  • Splitting gives each site its own account.
  • Back up first.
  • Create a new account in WHM, then copy files, databases and email.
  • Update config files with new database details.
  • Test before you remove the old copy.