How to migrate Azure SQL to Azure SQL Managed Instance?

Hamed Sayyadi 0 Reputation points
2026-07-14T09:43:30.3733333+00:00

I have a 1TB database in Azure SQL want to migrate it to Azure SQL Managed Instance online without doing backup and restore.

Azure Database Migration Service
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  1. Marcin Policht 108.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-07-14T11:12:01.45+00:00

    Because Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS, it does not expose underlying .bak files or transaction log streams. This rules out built-in online tools like the Managed Instance Link, Database Migration Service (DMS) continuous mode, or Log Replay Service (LRS) since all of them require native SQL transaction logs.

    To accomplish an online migration for a database of this size without backup/restore, you would need to use a Logical Change-Data-Capture (CDC) or ETL-driven data sync approach.

    For details, refer to https://oneuptime.com/blog/post/2026-02-16-how-to-migrate-from-azure-sql-database-to-azure-sql-managed-instance/view


    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

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