How to migrate your Valheim server from Apex Hosting to RiverHosting

Moving your Valheim server from Apex Hosting to RiverHosting does not mean losing your world. The Migrate page in the RiverHosting panel copies your files straight from your Apex Hosting server to your new RiverHosting server, so you do not have to download them to your computer first.

This guide covers your world saves, mods and settings. You will get your FTP login details from Apex Hosting, then enter them on the Migrate page.

Before you start

• A RiverHosting server set up for Valheim. If you do not have one yet, order it at https://billing.riverhosting.com.
• Access to your Apex Hosting server panel, so you can open the FTP File Access area.
• Your RiverHosting panel login at https://panel.riverhosting.com.
• The save name of your Valheim world (shown in your Apex Hosting panel). It helps you spot the right files later.

1. Step 1: Get your files from Apex Hosting

Apex Hosting uses FTP for file access. Its FTP login is separate from your Apex Hosting panel login, so you need to copy the details shown in its FTP File Access area. Apex Hosting describes these steps in its article how to connect to a Valheim server via FTP.

1. Log in to your Apex Hosting panel and open your server.
2. Open the FTP File Access area. Apex Hosting shows it as a button or a tab on the left side of the panel.
3. Copy the FTP Address, Port, Username and Password shown there.

If your Apex Hosting account has more than one Server Profile, make sure you are in the right one. Each profile has its own set of files.

For Valheim, your world files are in the worlds_local folder. It holds the world database file, the main save and a rolling set of automatic backups. If you use BepInEx mods, the mod files are in BepInEx/plugins and the mod settings are in BepInEx/config. These BepInEx folders only exist after BepInEx has been selected on the old server and it has been restarted.

2. Step 2: Move your files with the Migrate page

1. Open the RiverHosting panel at https://panel.riverhosting.com and select your Valheim server.
2. In the sidebar, under SYSTEM, click Migrate.
3. Choose FTP as the protocol.
4. Fill in the fields using the details you copied from Apex Hosting:
   • Host: the FTP Address
   • Port: the Port
   • Username: the FTP Username
   • Password: the FTP Password
5. In Remote Path, enter the folder on the Apex Hosting server that you want to copy. Use the folder that holds your world files and mods, or the main server folder if you want everything.
6. In Destination Path, enter where the files should land on your RiverHosting server.
7. Click Test Connection. If it works, you are ready to continue.
8. Click Start Migration.

While the copy runs, watch Migration Status. It shows the progress and the file that is being copied right now. If you need to stop, click Cancel Migration. Files that were already copied stay on your server.

If the panel recognises the game on your old server, it may offer Switch to Valheim or Migrate Anyway. Choose Switch to Valheim if your RiverHosting server is not on Valheim yet. Choose Migrate Anyway if you want to copy the files without changing the game. If the game is not recognised, you will see Game Not Recognized with a request form you can send to us.

3. Step 3: Check your world, mods and settings

1. When the migration finishes, open Files in the sidebar and check that your world files are in place. Your save name helps you find the matching files.
2. Open the Worlds page in the Valheim section of the sidebar and make sure your world is listed.
3. Check Mods and Mod Configs if you moved mods over.
4. Check World Settings to confirm your server name, world and password are what you expect.
5. Go to Console and click Restart so the server loads everything fresh.
6. Copy the IP chip at the top of the panel and use it to join the server in Valheim.

Troubleshooting

• Test Connection fails: Check the Host, Port, Username and Password against the FTP File Access area in your Apex Hosting panel. Make sure you used the FTP Password, not your panel password.
• You cannot find the FTP details: Look for FTP File Access in the main Apex Hosting server panel. It only shows servers on the Apex Hosting account you are logged into.
• Wrong files copied: Check you are in the correct Server Profile on Apex Hosting, then run the migration again with the right Remote Path.
• Mods are missing: The BepInEx folders only exist after BepInEx was selected and the old server was restarted. Check that your mods were set up on the old server.
• The world does not load: Make sure the world files from worlds_local reached your server and that the world name matches the one set in World Settings.
• Game Not Recognized appears: Use the request form shown on the page, or choose Migrate Anyway if you only want the files copied.

If the connection test keeps failing, you can use the manual route as a fallback. Download your files from Apex Hosting with an FTP client, zip them, then upload them on the RiverHosting Files page using Upload or drag and drop, and click Unarchive. The Migrate page is useful when the connection test works, because it copies files directly between the two servers.

Need help?

If anything in the move looks wrong, RiverHosting support is happy to help. Visit https://riverhosting.com/support and tell us what you see on the Migrate page.