Network & Infrastructure

UniFi UDM → UDM-Pro Migration

Field-tested procedure for migrating a UniFi Dream Machine to a UDM-Pro, including cloud claiming, WAN2, and Mesh AP gotchas.

📅 Updated: 2025-04-14 👤 Jon Pienkowski unifi network migration

Overview

This guide documents the production-tested procedure for migrating from a UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) to a UDM-Pro. It includes lessons learned from a real-world client migration.

Tip: Back up the UDM config (Settings → System → Backup) before anything else.

Pre-Migration Checklist

  • Export full backup from existing UDM
  • Note all static IPs, port forwards, and VLANs
  • Document WiFi SSIDs and passwords
  • Inventory all APs (note any Mesh/wireless uplink APs)
  • Confirm UDM-Pro firmware is current before restore

Key Field Lessons

Cloud Claiming Requires Isolated WAN

When claiming the new UDM-Pro to your UniFi account, it must be on a clean WAN connection — not behind the existing UDM. Place it directly on the modem/ISP ONT before attempting to claim. If you try to claim it behind the existing router, the process will stall.

WAN2 Is SFP+ Only

The UDM-Pro’s second WAN port (WAN2) is SFP+ only — there is no RJ45 WAN2. If your client needs a failover 4G/LTE connection or a secondary ISP via copper, you’ll need an SFP+ to RJ45 transceiver.

Port Type Notes
WAN1 RJ45 (1G) Primary ISP
WAN2 SFP+ (10G) Requires SFP+ transceiver for copper
LAN 1–8 RJ45 Standard switch ports
SFP+ LAN SFP+ (10G) Uplink to managed switches

Mesh AP Post-Restore Tweaks

After restoring the backup, Mesh (wirelessly uplinked) APs may appear offline or fail to re-adopt. Fix:

# SSH into each affected Mesh AP
ssh ubnt@<ap-ip>

# Force re-provision
set-inform http://<udm-pro-ip>:8080/inform

If the AP still won’t adopt, factory reset it and re-adopt manually — the config will be pushed from the controller.

Migration Procedure

Step 1 — Backup Old UDM

Settings → System → Backup → Download Backup

Save the .unf file somewhere safe.

Step 2 — Claim New UDM-Pro

  1. Connect UDM-Pro directly to modem (not behind old UDM)
  2. Power on and wait 2–3 minutes
  3. Open unifi.ui.com → Add Device
  4. Follow cloud claiming flow

Step 3 — Restore Config

  1. Connect UDM-Pro to your network (replace old UDM)
  2. Go to Settings → System → Backup → Restore
  3. Upload the .unf file from Step 1
  4. Wait for restore + reboot (~3–5 min)

Step 4 — Verify & Clean Up

  • All APs adopted and reporting
  • VLANs intact
  • Port forwards working
  • Guest network isolated
  • Mesh APs online (see troubleshooting above if not)
  • Speed test on WAN

Rollback

If something goes catastrophically wrong, reconnect the original UDM. Its config is unchanged — it was never modified.

Note: UniFi cloud keys and config are tied to the controller, not the hardware. The backup restores the full network config to the new unit.