Introduction
Planning for Success
Successful cross tenant migrations require careful planning across multiple dimensions. These 12 considerations will help you avoid common pitfalls.
Microsoft 365 cross tenant migrations are among the most complex IT projects organizations undertake. Moving users, mailboxes, files, and collaboration tools between tenants requires coordination across identity, security, compliance, and operations teams. Our Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migration solution addresses all these challenges in a unified platform, including comprehensive OneDrive migration capabilities.
Whether you're consolidating tenants after an acquisition, divesting a business unit, or simply reorganizing your Microsoft 365 environment, these 12 key considerations will help you plan and execute a successful migration. You can also try our free Cross-Tenant Migration Orchestrator to get started with planning.
12 Key Considerations
Address each of these areas in your migration planning. These considerations apply to all workloads including mailbox migration and file transfer operations:
Coexistence Strategy
PlanningDefine how users in source and target tenants will collaborate during migration. This includes mail flow, calendar sharing, and document access across tenants.
Mail Routing Architecture
TechnicalDesign mail routing to ensure emails reach users regardless of which tenant they're in. Consider MX record changes, connectors, and mail forwarding rules.
Identity & User Provisioning
IdentityPlan how users will be created in the target tenant. Options include manual creation, Azure AD sync, or automated provisioning via SCIM.
Domain Transfer Timing
TechnicalSchedule custom domain moves carefully. Domains must be removed from source before adding to target, creating a brief window requiring contingency planning.
License Management
PlanningEnsure target tenant has sufficient licenses. Plan license assignment timing to minimize costs of duplicate licensing during migration overlap.
Security & Compliance
SecurityReview and recreate security policies including Conditional Access, DLP, retention policies, and eDiscovery cases in the target tenant.
Application Integration
TechnicalInventory third-party apps connected to Microsoft 365. Plan reconfiguration for apps using OAuth, service principals, or API connections.
Data Migration Scope
PlanningDefine what data migrates: historical email depth, OneDrive versions, SharePoint lists, Teams history. Balance completeness vs. migration duration.
User Communication
Change MgmtDevelop comprehensive communication plan. Users need to understand timeline, what changes, how to access systems, and where to get support.
Cutover Approach
PlanningDecide between big-bang (all at once) or phased (waves) migration. Each has tradeoffs in complexity, risk, and coexistence duration.
Device Re-enrollment
DevicesPlan for device management transition. Devices registered to source Azure AD must be reset and re-enrolled to target tenant Intune.
Validation & Testing
QualityDefine success criteria and testing procedures. Plan pilot migrations to validate process before production cutover.
Planning Checklist
Track your migration preparation across all phases. For detailed guidance, refer to our admin guides. Our SharePoint migration capabilities ensure all your sites, libraries, and content transfer seamlessly:
Pre-Migration
- Complete inventory of source tenant
- Document current security policies
- Identify third-party integrations
- Create user mapping file
- Provision target tenant licenses
Technical Setup
- Configure mail routing connectors
- Set up GAL synchronization
- Establish Azure AD B2B (if needed)
- Configure migration tool access
- Test connectivity to both tenants
During Migration
- Monitor migration progress daily
- Address failed items promptly
- Communicate status to stakeholders
- Run delta syncs before cutover
- Verify data in target tenant
Post-Migration
- Complete DNS/MX cutover
- Decommission source mailboxes
- Remove source tenant licenses
- Archive migration logs
- Document lessons learned
Cloudiway Advantage
Cloudiway simplifies cross tenant migration with purpose-built tools. Our platform includes GALSync for Global Address List synchronization and seamless coexistence features:
Unified Platform
Single tool for mailboxes, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams migration - no juggling multiple solutions.
Built-in Coexistence
Mail routing, GAL sync, and calendar free/busy sharing configured automatically for seamless cross-tenant collaboration.
Delta Synchronization
Continuous sync captures changes until cutover, minimizing the cutover window and preventing data loss.
Expert Support
Migration specialists guide you through planning, execution, and troubleshooting - 24/7 during critical phases.
Plan Your Cross Tenant Migration
Contact Cloudiway's migration experts to discuss your tenant-to-tenant migration requirements. We'll help you navigate these considerations and build a comprehensive migration plan. Check our pricing, request consulting services, or see our case studies.
For device management, Cloudiway offers a unique Intune migration capability that automates configuration transfer between tenants. Our platform is ISO 27001 certified ensuring your data remains secure throughout the migration.
Beyond Microsoft 365 tenant migrations, Cloudiway supports cross-platform migrations including Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration and Exchange migration. Our platform handles all workloads from a single console.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cloudiway migrate Intune device configurations during cross-tenant migration?
Yes, Cloudiway offers a unique Intune migration module that automates the migration of device configurations, compliance policies, and app assignments. This is currently the only solution on the market providing automated Intune settings migration between tenants.
How does Cloudiway handle one-on-one Teams chat migration?
Cloudiway is one of the few solutions that can migrate Teams one-on-one private chats between tenants. Using the Microsoft Teams Import API, we preserve chat history, timestamps, and attachments for a complete user experience in the target tenant.
What happens to Azure AD registered laptops during migration?
Cloudiway provides a laptop migration module that automates the reconfiguration of remote laptops for Azure AD settings and Office license activation. This eliminates the need for manual device re-enrollment or user intervention.
Can I use Cloudiway's free Cross-Tenant Migration Orchestrator?
Yes, Cloudiway offers a free Cross-Tenant Migration Orchestrator that helps you plan and coordinate your migration project. It provides automated user provisioning, group recreation, and migration scheduling capabilities at no cost.
How does Cloudiway ensure email delivery during domain transfer?
Cloudiway's Mail Routing feature ensures seamless email delivery during the domain transfer window. Mail is automatically routed to the correct tenant regardless of which tenant currently owns the domain, preventing any email loss during cutover.
What pre-migration analysis does Cloudiway provide?
Cloudiway performs comprehensive pre-migration analysis including mailbox size inventory, permission mapping complexity, OneDrive storage assessment, Teams channel enumeration, and identification of potential migration blockers before you start the migration process.
