Sometimes you may need to migrate an RDS instance from one AWS account to another — for example, when consolidating accounts or setting up environments for a new team. AWS makes this possible through RDS Snapshots. In this blog, we are going to discuss how to migrate an RDS instance from one AWS account to another and the best way to Migrate RDS from one account to another.
Steps to Migrate RDS Between AWS Accounts
1. Create a Snapshot of the Source RDS Instance
- Log in to the source AWS account.
- Go to the RDS Dashboard → Databases.
- Select your RDS instance → Actions → Take Snapshot.
- Give it a name and create the snapshot.
2. Share the Snapshot With the Destination Account
- Once the snapshot status is Available, go to RDS Dashboard → Snapshots.
- Select the snapshot → Actions → Share Snapshot.
- Add the AWS Account ID of the destination account.
Note:
- Manual snapshots can be shared.
- Automated snapshots cannot be shared directly, so always create a manual one.
- If the snapshot is encrypted, you must also share the KMS key with the destination account.
3. Copy the Shared Snapshot in the Destination Account
- Log in to the destination AWS account.
- Go to RDS Dashboard → Snapshots → Shared With Me.
- Select the shared snapshot → Actions → Copy Snapshot.
While copying, you can:
- Change the region (if needed).
- Choose a different storage encryption key.
- After copying, the snapshot will appear under Owned by Me.
4. Restore a New RDS Instance From the Snapshot
- In the destination account, select the copied snapshot.
- Click Actions → Restore Snapshot.
Choose:
- DB Instance Identifier (new name).
- DB Instance Class (compute size).
- VPC, Subnet, and Security Groups.
- Launch the instance.
5. Additional Considerations
- Parameter Groups & Option Groups: These are not copied automatically. You’ll need to re-create them in the destination account.
- Subnet Groups: Create a DB subnet group in the destination if required.
- Endpoints: The new RDS will have a new endpoint, so update your applications accordingly.
- Performance Insights / Monitoring: Reconfigure monitoring and logging as per the new account setup.
Conclusion
Migrating RDS between AWS accounts is straightforward with manual snapshots. Just remember to share both the snapshot and KMS key (if encrypted), then copy and restore it in the destination account. Double-check networking and parameter groups to ensure your database runs smoothly in the new environment.
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