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AAD (Azure Active Directory) user accounts and groups tenant-to-tenant migration refers to the process of transferring user accounts and groups from one Azure AD tenant to another. AAD user accounts and groups tenant-to-tenant migration typically occurs when organizations undergo mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures, or when they need to consolidate multiple Azure AD tenants into a single tenant.
This article is part of a series. Check out our full Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migration Guide
When it comes to migrating AAD user accounts and groups from one tenant to another, there are a few things to consider. First, it is important to note that AAD user accounts and groups are tied to a specific Azure AD tenant, so moving them to a new tenant requires creating new accounts and groups in the destination tenant. There are a few different approaches you can take to migrate your AAD user accounts and groups:
Manual migration. You can manually create new user accounts and groups in the destination tenant and then manually migrate the data (such as user profiles, group memberships, and permissions) from the source tenant to the destination tenant. This approach can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially if you have a large number of users and groups to migrate.
Automated migration. There are Microsoft and third-party tools available that can automate the migration process for you. These tools can help you move your AAD user accounts and groups to a new tenant quickly and efficiently. However, it is important to carefully evaluate any third-party tools you are considering to make sure they are reliable and secure.
No matter which approach you choose, it is important to plan your migration carefully to avoid any disruption to your users or applications. You should also make sure to communicate any changes or updates to your users well in advance to avoid confusion or misunderstandings. Before you begin the process of migrating AAD user accounts and groups from one tenant to another, there are a few prerequisites you should be aware of:
Step 1. Prepare the source and destination tenants
Step 2. Export user account and group data from the source tenant
Step 3. Import user account and group data into the destination tenant
Step 4. Verify the migration
It is important to note that the specific steps and tools required for a tenant-to-tenant migration may vary depending on your specific requirements and environment. It is always a great idea to carefully plan and test your migration process before executing it in a production environment.
Migrating Azure Active Directory (AAD) user accounts and groups between tenants can present several challenges and common issues. Here are some of them:
Identity Mapping and Conflicts. Mapping and syncing user accounts from one tenant to another can be a complex task, especially when there are different account attributes and settings in the source and destination tenants.
Data Loss or Corruption. There is often a possibility of losing some data, including emails, files, and permissions. It is crucial to perform a thorough backup before starting the migration to avoid any data loss.
Permissions and Access Control. AAD groups and their associated permissions may not map directly between tenants. This can result in a loss of access to resources or require manual intervention to reassign permissions in the destination tenant.
Application Integrations. Migrating AAD user accounts and groups may impact access to applications and services**. Any third-party application or service that relies on AAD for authentication or authorization will need to be reconfigured to work with the new tenant.
Additional complexity if the migration involves a hybrid environment. The migration must be planned and executed carefully to ensure that on-premises applications and services are also migrated seamlessly.
Potential security vulnerabilities. It is important to ensure that all security settings and policies are reviewed and updated to match the destination tenant's security posture.
Overall, migrating AAD user accounts and groups between tenants can be a complex, time-consuming and expensive process that requires careful planning and execution. To minimize the risks and challenges, it is recommended to seek the assistance of experienced professionals with a proven track record in tenant-to-tenant migrations.
Learn more about other types of services that almost always require data migration:
2023-07-10