How to import database via phpMyAdmin in cPanel?

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: phpMyAdmin 5.2 in cPanel & WHM 138

Import an SQL file with phpMyAdmin to move a database from another host, or to restore an export.

Steps

1. Log in to cPanel (for example at https://yourdomain.com:2083, or from the Ucartz client area).
2. Create an empty database and a user, if you have not already (Databases › Database Wizard).
3. Open Databases › phpMyAdmin.
4. Click the target database in the left panel. (The import goes into the selected database.)
5. Open the Import tab and click Choose File. You can upload .sql, .sql.gz or .zip files.
6. Leave the format as SQL and click Import (Go in older versions).

If the file is too large

• Compress it: a .sql.gz file is often ten times smaller.
• Use Files › Backup › Restore a MySQL Database backup instead; the file name must match the database name.
• Upload the file and ask support to import it for you.

Note: An import error such as "Table already exists" means the database is not empty. Import into an empty database, or export with the DROP TABLE option.