# Migrating CARTO Self-Hosted installation to an external database

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**This documentation is for the CARTO Self-Hosted Legacy Version**. Use only if you've installed this specific version. Explore our latest documentation for updated features.
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This guide outlines the steps to migrate the internal database of a CARTO Self-Hosted installation to an external database. By following these steps, you can seamlessly transition your CARTO workspace to a new database environment.

### Prerequisites

Before starting the migration process, ensure that you have the following:

* Access to the CARTO Self-Hosted installation
* Credentials for the external database (hostname, port, username, password)

### How to perform the migration to an external database

#### Step 1: Dump the Container Database

Use the following command to create a dump of the internal database:

Run the following command from the installation folder:

```
docker-compose exec workspace-postgres pg_dump -U postgres -d workspace > dump.sql
```

This command exports the database structure and data to a SQL file named `dump.sql`

#### Step 2: Create Workspace Admin User in External Database

Run the following command to create the necessary user in the new external database:

```bash
CREATE USER workspace_admin with encrypted password '<password>';
```

#### Step 3: Create Database in External Database

Execute the following commands to create the database in the external database:

```
CREATE DATABASE workspace OWNER workspace_admin;
```

#### Step 4: Restore the Dump

Restore the dumped data into the new external database. If you have access to the external database using `psql` you can directly restore the database using the following command:

```bash
psql -h <external_db_host> -p <external_db_port> -U workspace_admin -d workspace -f dump.sql
```

You have successfully migrated your CARTO Self-Hosted installation to an external database! :tada: Ensure that you update your CARTO configuration files to reflect the changes in the database connection details. You can find more information about how to connect your Self-Hosted installation to an external database in our [quickstart guides](https://docs.carto.com/carto-self-hosted/deployment-guides).