How to Migrate UniFi Devices to a New Controller Using the Forget and Adopt Method – IT Solver Support

This article provides a simple, step-by-step guide on how to migrate your UniFi devices (such as switches and access points) from an old controller to a new UniFi Cloud Gateway, like the UCG Ultra, using the "Forget" method.

Overview

The "Forget and Adopt" method is often the easiest way to move hardware when you still have active access to your original controller. By "forgetting" a device, the old controller sends a command to the hardware to factory reset itself and enter a "Pending Adoption" state, making it visible to your new controller for easy setup.

Prerequisites

Access to the current UniFi controller.
Access to the new UniFi controller (e.g., UCG Ultra at 192.168.1.1).
Devices must be "Online" in the original controller before starting.
Ensure the new controller has the same WiFi SSIDs and Network VLANs created if you wish to maintain service continuity.

Migration Steps

Log in to your current (old) UniFi controller and navigate to the UniFi Devices tab.
Select the device you wish to migrate (e.g., USW-Lite-16-PoE or UAP-AC-Pro) to open its settings panel.
In the device settings side panel, click on Settings > Manage and select Forget.

This action will factory reset the device and remove all its current configurations from the old controller.
Wait approximately 2 to 5 minutes for the device to complete its reboot cycle. The status light on the hardware should eventually turn solid white (indicating it is ready for adoption).
Log in to your new UniFi controller (UCG Ultra) and navigate to the UniFi Devices tab.
The new controller will detect the device. Click on the Adopt or Provision button that appears in the device list or pop-up notification.

Additional Information

Configuration Loss: This method does not transfer settings. You must manually recreate your WiFi and network settings on the new UCG Ultra before adopting the devices to avoid downtime.
USW-Flex-Mini: If a device like the USW-Flex-Mini shows "Managed by Other" or "Click to Learn More," it will require a physical factory reset using a paperclip, as it does not support SSH for manual inform commands. Once reset, the device must be able to locate the new controller. This is best achieved by using DHCP Option 43 (pointing to the local IP of the new controller, e.g., 192.168.1.1) or by creating a local DNS A record for "unifi" (on a UniFi Gateway, go to Settings > Networks > [Network Name] > Dedicated Backhaul / DNS or Settings > Routing > DNS) pointing to the controller's IP address.

Troubleshooting Tips

Device Not Appearing: If the device does not show up in the new controller after 5 minutes, ensure the new controller's "Network Discovery" is enabled or try a physical factory reset on the device.
Stuck in Adopting: If the device is stuck "Adopting," ensure there isn't a firewall rule blocking port 8080 between the device and the new UCG Ultra.

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