Migrate PowerApps-Canvas App from one tenant to another

 Migrate PowerApps from one tenant to another

In this Power Apps Tutorial, We will discuss how to export and import the Canvas app package in PowerApps. This is a complete tutorial on how to move powerapps from one environment to another or migrate powerapps from one tenant to another.

Also, We will cover all these below things:

• Export and Import packages in PowerApps
• What are the resources included in the package
• What are the Permissions that required to export a data package
• Move powerapps from one environment to another
  • How to Export a Canvas app package in PowerApps
  • How to Import a Canvas app package in PowerApps
• Limitations to Export and Import Canvas app in PowerApps

Also, If you want to learn about PowerApps Export and Import Control, then check out my below tutorial link:

Power Apps Export Import Control – How to use

Export and Import packages in PowerApps

• In PowerApps, you can export and import canvas apps by using packages. By using this package feature, you can export an app from one tenant (or environment) and import it to other tenant.
• At the time of exporting and importing canvas app packages, you need to consider some of the best available options.
• Let’s take an example. When you select the location as This computer, you can save an app locally by using the Save As option.
• The saved file appear with the file name extension as .msapp. The created file will not include any additional components like Power Automate created with Power Automate and used by the saved app.
• The most important thing is, Canvas app packages can not be used with Dataverse solution packages because of the package incompatibility.

What are the resources included in the package

• An app can have different resources. You may know most of the apps uses connections.
• Some of the apps use Power Automate, Custom connectors, or connects by using gateways to on-premises resources. Also, some of the apps may use Dataverse customizations. Below table represents different types o resources, supportability, and import options.

Type of Resources	Supported	Import Options
App	Yes, it supports for Canvas app	To import an app into an environment, there are two options available. 1. Create new: It defines the app will be created as a new app in the environment where the package is imported. 2. Update: It defines the app that already exists in the environment and will be updated when this package is imported.
Power Automate	Yes, it supports	To import a flow into an environment, there are two options available. 1. Create new: It defines the flow that will be created as a new flow in the environment where the package is imported. 2. Update: It defines the flow that already exists in the environment and will be updated when this package is imported. NOTE: All resources that the flow depends on will also be included in the app package that’s exported and will need to be configured when the package is imported. You can also export and import flows by using solutions. You can refer to the below link: Power Automate solutions
Custom connectors	No, it does not support	It does not support a custom connector. You’ll need to re-create the custom connector on the target environment.
Connections	No, it does not support	It does not support a connection. You’ll need to re-create connections on the target environment.
Dataverse customizations	No, it does not support	Exporting Dataverse customizations as a part of a canvas app package isn’t supported. You’ll need to use Dataverse solutions instead. You can get more information by using the below link: Dataverse solutions
Gateways	No, it does not support	You can not export or import gateways. You’ll need to re-create gateways on the target environment.

What are the Permissions that required to export a data package

• Permission is the most important thing that a user should know while using the PowerApps Export and Import packages.
• The Canvas app package only can export by only the Owner or Co-owner of an app.
• The Environment Maker permission is required on the destination environment to import an app.

Migrate PowerApps from one tenant to another

• Suppose, you have a PowerApps app in one tenant (your Source tenant). Also, you want the same type of app in the other tenant (your Destination tenant). For that, you do not need to create this app again in the other tenant.
• For time-saving, Power Apps provided an Export and Import option within the app. By using the Export option, you can export the app from one tenant to your local system and by using the Import option, you can import the app from your local system to another tenant.
• Here I have created a sample app (Power Apps PDF Viewer) using the PowerApps. Now I want to export this created app from my Source environment to the Destination one.

How to Export a Canvas app package in PowerApps

Follow the below steps to export the PowerApps Canvas app (from the Source environment).

Step – 1:

• In the Source tenant PowerApps, go to Apps and then select the app (suppose PowerApps Date Time Picker) that you want to export to the destination tenant.
• Click on the context menu (…) -> Select the Export package option as shown in the below screenshot.

migrate powerapps from one tenant to another

Step – 2:

• On the Export package page, Enter the Name and Description for the Powerapps app.
• Here bydefault, the Environment name will be selected. Also, If you want, then you can change it. At last, click on the Export button.

move powerapps from one environment to another

Step – 3:

• Once you will Export the app, it will ask you to save the app in your local system. Just Save the app as it is or else change the name incase if you needed.
• The app should be save with the Zip format in your system.

move powerapps from one environment to another

• Next, follow the below steps how to import the exported app in the destination environment.

How to Import a Canvas app package in PowerApps

To import the Power Apps, let us go to the destination tenant where you want to import the Date Picker app.

Step – 1:

• In the same way, Open the Power Apps in the browser (with your destination site credentials). Click on Apps from the left navigation -> Select the Import canvas app from the top as shown below.

migrate powerapps from one tenant to another

Step – 2:

• On the Import package page, click on the Upload button, and then it will ask you to upload the exported Zip app.
• Select the specific Zip file (Exported app) from your local system which you want to import. Click on Open as shown below.

move powerapps from one environment to another

Step – 3:

• On the Import Package Details page, click on the Update of the imported app (PowerApps Date Time Picker).
• On the Import setup screen, there will be two options available under the Setup section i.e.
  • Create as new
  • Update

• Select the Setup as Create as new, Provide the Resource name (if you want to change), and then tap on Save.

migrate teams from one tenant to another

• In case if you are updating an existing resource, then make sure to publish the app. So that users can see the changes.
• For quick confirmation selections before importing an app package, you can view the icon changes for each resource type. Below represents all the icon details:
  • Create as New = It defines a new resource will be created.
  • Import Action Changed = It defines the import action for the resource has been modified.
  • Action Required = It represents that you must select an import action before the app package can be imported.

PowerApps Export Import

Step – 4:

• Click on the Import button under the Review Package Content section as shown below.

powerapps move app to different environment

Step – 5:

• Once you imported the Powerapps app in your destination tenant, then you will get a successful notification message as All package resources were successfully imported.
• To view the imported app, you can directly open it by using Open app link as like the below screenshot.

how to move powerapps from one environment to another

• Now refresh the PowerApps page and click on the Apps section. You can see the new imported app has been displayed in the app.