No wipe, no hassle; Migrate to Hexnode UEM with Hexnode Gateway

Migrating from one Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) to another is no IT admin’s idea of fun. It’s a nightmare of re-enrollments, downtime, and user frustration. That’s why many organizations cling to their outdated platforms, even if it means missing out on better features or stronger security. But the irony is that staying put is often riskier than making the move.  

So, the real dilemma isn’t deciding whether to switch but figuring out ways to make the migration process less painful without breaking security or the admin’s sanity. 

The Pain of Switching  

Some IT team might prefer “The Exodus” to a software migration. The bigger the company, the tougher it gets. And let’s be honest, it hardly ever goes as smoothly as planned. It’s tedious and full of opportunities for mistakes, turning IT teams into perpetual troubleshooters to keep devices up and running. But with an intuitive migration tool, it doesn't have to be that messy. 

Downtime and End-User Frustration 

Devices can experience downtime mid-migration, which frustrates users who end up spending half their day at the IT desk or, worse, are handed lengthy technical guides they must follow themselves. And naturally, they come up with creative excuses to push it to the last minute. 

Minor Errors, Big Consequences 

Disenrolling devices, rebuilding policies, restoring network and VPN settings, reinstalling apps, and validating security configurations is a lot to deal with. In the middle of it all, even a small slip like a missing VPN profile or a misconfigured policy can cascade into wider disruptions and create potential security risks. 

Losing Sight, Losing Control  

Migrations don’t always go smoothly. Between disenrollment and re-enrollment, devices can drift out of admin visibility. Without the right tools to manage these partially enrolled devices, policies may fail to enforce, updates can fall behind, and endpoints could be exposed, creating avoidable security gaps. 

Support Gaps and Timeline Stress 

Insufficient documentation or a lack of vendor support during migration leaves IT teams spending extra hours piecing the steps together and answering a flood of user questions. Timelines stretch, stress amplifies, and the whole process drags on longer than planned. 

Smarter Ways to Move On 

Migrating to a new UEM doesn’t have to be a grind. Hexnode Gateway for Windows and macOS is designed to change that, streamlining the process with automation, preserving security along the way, and keeping downtime to a minimum. Here’s how it makes switching smoother, smarter, and far less stressful: 

Flexible Migration 

Whether it’s a silent shift where users don’t notice a thing, or a guided flow through the Hexnode Gateway User Interface where users click through prompts, Gateway adapts to enterprise needs. Admins set the rules, and Gateway handles the rest, ensuring devices move on schedule. 

Seamless Automation 

Gateway takes the grunt work off IT’s plate by handling everything in the background. Old MDM profiles are removed, devices are re-enrolled into Hexnode, and critical settings like Wi-Fi, VPN, and apps are reapplied without manual intervention. Because it integrates with Microsoft Autopilot and business directories such as Active Directory, LDAP, and G Suite, the transition feels less like a reset and more like a handoff, ensuring every device stays aligned with enterprise systems. 

Streamlined Device Continuity 

Traditional migrations often require a full factory reset, costing time and data. Gateway skips that step. Devices keep their data and settings intact, while only the management layer is replaced. Newly migrated devices are automatically grouped, with policies applied instantly, allowing admins to move hundreds or even thousands of endpoints in one go.  

Secure Recovery Keys 

Encryption stays buckled in. Hexnode Gateway captures FileVault and BitLocker recovery keys directly from the device and syncs them into Hexnode’s console during migration. This way, IT admins don’t lose access to recovery credentials mid-transition, and encrypted devices remain fully manageable and compliant throughout.  

Co-management Support 

Migration doesn’t have to be an instant separation. With co-management, devices stay under dual control of both UEMs during the transition. So even if the journey hits a bump, IT never loses visibility or enforcement capability. 

Migrations once felt like pulling teeth–slow, messy, and packed with “what ifs.” With the right tools, though, the story changes. It’s less a gamble and more like swapping an old ride with a fully upgraded one. The journey is smooth, nothing essential gets left behind, and you’re cruising again before you know it. 

Ultimately, that’s what matters most: IT teams win back their time, businesses stay productive without missing a beat, and moving to a new UEM becomes a confident step forward rather than a stressful leap. 

Stay tuned for more insights and expertise in the upcoming editions of Hexnode Deep Dive.