info:To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
---
# Migrate groups from another instance of GitLab **(FREE)**
# Migrating groups **(FREE)**
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/249160) in GitLab 13.7 [with a flag](../../feature_flags.md) named `bulk_import`. Disabled by default.
> - [Enabled on GitLab.com and self-managed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/338985) in GitLab 14.3.
FLAG:
On self-managed GitLab, by default this feature is available. To hide the feature, ask an administrator to [disable the feature flag](../../../administration/feature_flags.md) named `bulk_import`. On GitLab.com, this feature is available.
On self-managed GitLab, by default this feature is available. To hide the feature, ask an administrator to
[disable the feature flag](../../../administration/feature_flags.md) named `bulk_import`. On GitLab.com, this feature is
available.
You can migrate your existing top-level groups to any of the following:
- Another GitLab instance, including GitLab.com.
- Another top-level group.
- The subgroup of any existing top-level group.
- Another GitLab instance, including GitLab.com.
Migrating groups is not the same as [group import/export](../settings/import_export.md).
- Group import/export requires you to export a group to a file and then import that file in
another GitLab instance.
- Group migration automates this process.
Migrating groups using the method documented here is not the same as [migrating groups using file exports](../settings/import_export.md).
Importing and exporting groups using file exports requires you to export a group to a file and then import that file in
another GitLab instance. Migrating groups using the method documented here automates this step.
info:To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
---
# Group import/export **(FREE)**
# Migrating groups using file exports (deprecated) **(FREE)**
> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/2888) in GitLab 13.0 as an experimental feature. May change in future releases.
> - [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/2888) in GitLab 13.0 as an experimental feature. May change in future releases.
> - [Deprecated](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4619) in GitLab 14.6.
You can export groups, with all their related data, from one GitLab instance to another.
You can also [export projects](../../project/settings/import_export.md).
WARNING:
This feature was [deprecated](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4619) in GitLab 14.6 and replaced by
[a different migration method](../import/index.md). To follow progress on a solution for
[offline environments](../../application_security/offline_deployments/index.md), see
You can export groups, with all their related data, from one GitLab instance to another. You can also:
-[Migrate groups](../import/index.md) using the preferred method.
-[Migrate projects using file exports](../../project/settings/import_export.md).
## Enable export for a group
...
...
@@ -63,10 +71,6 @@ For more details on the specific data persisted in a group export, see the
## Export a group
WARNING:
This feature will be [deprecated](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4619)
in GitLab 14.6 and replaced by [GitLab Migration](../import/).
Prerequisites:
- You must have the Owner role for the group.
...
...
@@ -96,16 +100,11 @@ You can export groups from the [Community Edition to the Enterprise Edition](htt
The Enterprise Edition retains some group data that isn't part of the Community Edition. If you're exporting a group from the Enterprise Edition to the Community Edition, you may lose this data. For more information, see [downgrading from EE to CE](../../../index.md).
## Importing the group
WARNING:
This feature will be [deprecated](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/4619)
in GitLab 14.8 and replaced by [GitLab Migration](../import/).
## Import the group
1. Create a new group:
- On the top bar, select **New** (**{plus}**) and then **New group**.
- On an existing group's page, select the **New subgroup** button.
