FFXIV Server Transfer: Your Complete Guide to Moving Worlds

As a seasoned player of FINAL FANTASY XIV, you might find yourself considering a change of scenery. Whether you’re looking to join friends on a different server, seeking a less congested World, or simply want a fresh start, the FFXIV Server Transfer, officially known as the Home World Transfer Service, is your key to a seamless move. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about transferring your character to a new Home World in Final Fantasy XIV.

To initiate your server transfer, head over to the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Mog Station. Remember to log out of the game client completely before starting the process.

Understanding the Home World Transfer Service

The Home World Transfer Service allows you to move your characters between different Worlds within the FINAL FANTASY XIV universe. You can transfer a single character or multiple characters at once from your service account, provided they meet the necessary requirements. This service offers flexibility for players looking to optimize their gameplay experience by relocating to different game servers.

Navigating World Classifications for Your FFXIV Server Transfer

Before you initiate an Ff14 Server Transfer, it’s crucial to understand World classifications. These categories influence server availability and potential bonuses associated with transferring. Worlds are generally classified into four types:

New World

These are newly established Worlds, often created to accommodate growing player populations. Transferring to or creating a new character on a New World comes with special bonuses, designed to encourage population balance and growth in these servers.

Congested World

Congested Worlds are high-population servers. Due to their crowded nature, they are typically unavailable for new character creation and as destinations for Home World Transfers. These servers are often very active but can experience queues and limitations.

Standard World

Standard Worlds host a balanced number of players, offering a stable and typical FFXIV gameplay environment. They are generally available for transfers and new character creation, providing a reliable server experience.

Preferred World

Preferred Worlds are less populated and offer incentives to players who create new characters or transfer to them from Congested Worlds. These bonuses are aimed at boosting population and activity on these servers, making them attractive destinations for players seeking benefits.

A screenshot showcasing the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Mog Station interface, the central hub for account management and services like the Home World Transfer.

It’s important to note that World classifications are dynamic and can change based on server populations. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official site’s World Status page. Keep an eye on these classifications as they can impact your ff14 server transfer decisions and potential benefits.

FFXIV Server Transfer Cost

The standard fee for the Home World Transfer Service is $18.00 per transfer. However, there are exceptions where your ff14 server transfer can be free:

Free Transfers to New Worlds: Transfers to New Worlds from non-New Worlds are free of charge, incentivizing players to populate these newer servers.
Free Transfers from Congested to Preferred Worlds: Moving from a Congested World to a Preferred World is also free, aiming to balance population distribution across different server types.

These free transfer options can be a significant advantage if your desired destination falls into the New or Preferred World categories, making your ff14 server transfer more economical.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Home World Transfer Service

Using the Home World Transfer Service involves a straightforward process through the Mog Station. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth ff14 server transfer:

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility for Server Transfer

Before you begin your ff14 server transfer, ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements. The system will verify these conditions before allowing you to proceed. Key requirements include:

Active Square Enix Account: You must be the account owner with an active FINAL FANTASY XIV service account. Free Trial accounts, accounts in Free Login Campaigns, or suspended accounts are not eligible for server transfer.
Service Usage Cooldown: At least three days must have passed since the Home World Transfer Service was last used on your service account.
Game Logout: You must be completely logged out of the game client during the entire transfer process.
Free Company Status: Your character must not be enlisted in a Free Company, holding a Free Company petition, signed to one, or applying to join one. Ensure you leave your Free Company before attempting a transfer.
Market Board Activity: Your character cannot have any items listed for sale on the Market Board. Remove all listings before proceeding with the transfer.
Calamity Salvager Items: Retrieve any items entrusted to the Calamity Salvager NPC.
Retainers: Rehire any retainers carried over from Version 1.0. This is a necessary step to ensure your retainers are properly accounted for during the transfer.
Location Restrictions: You must be logged out outside of any instanced areas. Return to a regular zone before logging out for transfer.
Eternal Bonding Reservations: Your character cannot have reservations for a Ceremony of Eternal Bonding or be currently undertaking the quest “The Ties that Bind.”
Blank Invitations: Ensure neither your character nor your retainers possess a blank invitation from an Eternal Bonding ceremony that hasn’t occurred yet.
Housing Ownership: This is a critical point for many players considering ff14 server transfer. You must relinquish ownership of any land, estate, or apartment housing.
- Exceptions for Housing Relinquishment: Normally, you MUST relinquish housing. However, if you are transferring to a New World, or from a Congested World to a Preferred World, housing relinquishment might be automatically handled by specific campaigns.
- Housing Lottery: If participating in a housing lottery, be aware that transferring invalidates your entry and deposit on the previous World. You will need to wait for the next lottery period to enter on your new Home World. Transferring back before the lottery results period ends might reinstate your original entry.
- Automatic Relinquishment and Reimbursement: In cases of automatic relinquishment, you might receive gil reimbursement (up to 999,999,999 gil). Any excess gil beyond this limit will be lost, and your estate will be demolished.
- Resident Caretaker/Housing Enthusiast: Ensure you have no housing items with the Resident Caretaker NPC and no chocobo in the care of the Housing Enthusiast NPC if your estate is automatically relinquished.
Housemate Status: If you are designated as a housemate, this status will be automatically removed during the transfer.
Delivery Moogle: Retrieve any optional items purchased from the Online Store via the Delivery Moogle.
Inventory Space (Specific Transfers): If transferring to a New World or from a Congested World to a Preferred World, ensure you have sufficient inventory space to receive bonus items associated with these transfers.

A typical FINAL FANTASY XIV character selection screen, the view players will see upon successfully logging into their new Home World after a server transfer.

Circumstances Preventing Home World Transfer

The ff14 server transfer service cannot be used under certain conditions:

Version 1.0 Transfers: If your character was transferred from Version 1.0 but hasn’t logged into a World since the official service launch.
Quest Progression: If you haven’t completed the quest “Close to Home.”
Character Visibility on Mog Station: If your character isn’t displayed on the Mog Station’s service account selection screen. Logging out of the game after character creation is usually required for it to appear, and allow some time for it to update.
New Character Creation Cooldown: If less than three days have passed since the character you intend to transfer was created.
90-Day Transfer Restrictions: If your character has recently transferred to or was created on a New World, or transferred from a Congested World or was created on a Preferred World, and is within the 90-day transfer restriction period.
Pending Name Change: If your character has a pending name change request that is yet to be processed.
Away From Home World: If the character to be transferred is currently logged out on another World or is away from their Home World. Return to your Home World to initiate the transfer.

Step 2: Login Restrictions During the Transfer Process

Once you initiate the ff14 server transfer, you will be unable to create new characters or log into the game until the transfer is complete. Transfers are processed in the order they are received. You will receive an email notification at the address registered to your Square Enix account once your Home World transfer is complete.

Email Notifications: Check your email filters to ensure emails from @account.square-enix.com are not sent to your junk mail folder.
Avoid Premature Login: Do not attempt to log in before receiving this notification, as it may cause errors and prolong the transfer process.
Processing Time: Transfer times can vary depending on the number of players using the service at the time of your request. Be patient and wait for the confirmation email.

Step 3: Access the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Mog Station

Go to the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Mog Station and log in using your Square Enix account credentials associated with the characters you wish to transfer.
On the “Your Account” page, you can verify the status of your service account and view your available characters.
- Multiple Service Accounts: If you have multiple service accounts, select the tab corresponding to the account containing the characters for ff14 server transfer.
- Inactive Accounts: The Home World Transfer service is not available for characters on inactive service accounts.
To start the application, select “Home World Transfer Service” under the “Games & Additional Services” section.

Step 4: Apply for a Home World Transfer

Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the Mog Station to complete your ff14 server transfer application. Keep these points in mind when applying:

World Availability: There may be situations where your character cannot be transferred to a specific World. This could be due to server capacity or restrictions.
Character Creation Restrictions: You cannot transfer to Worlds that currently have character creation restrictions in place due to high population.
Post-Transfer Verification: After the transfer is processed, verify that your character’s information is correctly displayed on the character selection screen of your destination Home World before logging into the game. It might take a short while for transferred characters to appear.
Data Center Transfers: To transfer to a World in a different physical data center, you must first log into the game, select your desired data center from the title screen, and proceed to the Character Selection screen at least once. Then, choose your target World from the list. This step is essential for cross-data center ff14 server transfer.
Maximum Characters Reached: If the destination World or its data center has reached its maximum character limit, you will be unable to transfer.
Character Name Conflicts: If your character’s name is already taken on the destination Home World, you will be prompted to change your character’s name upon your first login to the new World.
Retainer Name Conflicts: Similarly, if your retainer’s name is already in use on the destination World, you will need to rename them when you first summon them. The system cannot pre-determine retainer name conflicts.

Data Transferred and Not Transferred During FFXIV Server Transfer

Understanding what data is transferred and what is left behind is crucial for a smooth ff14 server transfer.

Data Retained After Transfer

The following data will be carried over with your character:

Social Connections: Friend List and Blacklists are preserved, maintaining your social network in the game.
Cross-world Linkshells: If you are a Cross-world Linkshell master and there are no members eligible for promotion, the linkshell will be disbanded. Otherwise, your cross-world linkshell membership is retained.
Character Inventory: Your character’s items and gear are transferred, ensuring you don’t lose your hard-earned possessions.
Retainers: Retainers and all items in their possession are transferred, functioning as mobile storage and market agents in your new World.
Moogle Letters: Unread Moogle letters are carried over, ensuring important messages are not lost.
Gil: Your in-game currency (gil) is transferred, up to a limit of 999,999,999 gil per character and retainer (including gil attached to Moogle letters).
Mahjong and Crystalline Conflict Data: Doman Mahjong rank and ratings, and Season Rankings from Crystalline Conflict Ranked Matches (Total Matches, Victories, Tier, Riser, Rising Stars, Crystal Credit, Streak Bonus) are transferred within the same data center. Note: These statuses will not carry over to a different physical data center.

Data Not Transferred

The following data will NOT be transferred with your character:

Linkshells: Your character will be automatically removed from all Linkshells upon transfer. You’ll need to rejoin or recreate linkshells in your new Home World.
Free Companies: As mentioned earlier, you must leave your Free Company before transferring. Free Company affiliation does not transfer.
Housing: Housing ownership is relinquished as a prerequisite for transfer, except in specific campaign cases. Your house and estate do not move with you.
Tournament Scores: Scores from Triple Triad and Lord of Verminion tournaments are not transferred.
Jumbo Cactpot Tickets: Any Jumbo Cactpot tickets purchased before the ff14 server transfer will be lost.
Restoration Rankings: Points earned towards ongoing restoration rankings are not transferred, and you will be removed from rankings on your previous Home World.
Deep Dungeon and Verminion Scores: Deep Dungeon Scores (Personal and Party High Scores) are not transferred.

Automatically Updated Data

The following data will be updated automatically after your ff14 server transfer:

Lodestone Character Data: Your character data on the Lodestone will be updated to reflect your new Home World.
Lodestone Blogs and Comments: Your blogs and comments on the Lodestone will be updated. Your follower and following lists remain unaffected.

Important Disclaimers Regarding FFXIV Server Transfer

Before you finalize your ff14 server transfer, consider these important disclaimers:

Service Maintenance: The Home World Transfer Service is unavailable during Square Enix Account Management System or FINAL FANTASY XIV maintenance periods.
Support Inquiries: The Square Enix Support Center cannot answer eligibility questions for individual characters selected for Home World Transfer.
Service Changes: Be aware that changes to the Home World Transfer Service may occur without prior notice due to fluctuations in World populations.
Support Contact: If you encounter issues, contact the Square Enix Support Center. Note that support for certain issues may be limited if more than one week has passed since using the service.

By understanding these details, you can confidently proceed with your ff14 server transfer and embark on new adventures in your chosen Home World. Remember to always check the official FINAL FANTASY XIV channels for the most current information and guidelines.