FF14 Server Transfer: Your Complete Guide to Home World Migration

Thinking about a change of scenery in Final Fantasy XIV? The Home World Transfer service allows you to move your beloved characters to a new server, opening up opportunities to play with friends, join a different community, or simply find a World that better suits your playstyle. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about FF14 server transfer, ensuring a smooth and informed migration.

Understanding the FF14 Home World Transfer Service

Square Enix provides the Home World Transfer Service to facilitate character migration between Worlds within Final Fantasy XIV. This paid service allows you to move a character from your current Home World to a different one, subject to certain conditions and restrictions. Let’s delve into the details to help you understand if and how you can utilize this service for your character.

World Classifications and Transfer Implications

Before initiating a server transfer, it’s crucial to understand the different World classifications, as they impact transfer availability and potential bonuses. Worlds are categorized based on population and status:

New World: These are newly established Worlds designed to accommodate population growth. Transferring to a New World often comes with bonuses to encourage players to populate them.
Congested World: These Worlds are highly populated and often experience login queues. Transfers to Congested Worlds are generally restricted, and new character creation may also be limited.
Standard World: These Worlds maintain a healthy population balance, offering a standard gameplay experience.
Preferred World: These are less populated Worlds where Square Enix encourages character creation and transfers by offering experience bonuses and other incentives. Transferring to a Preferred World from a Congested World can sometimes be free.

It’s important to note that World classifications are dynamic and can change over time based on population shifts. Always refer to the official FINAL FANTASY XIV Lodestone World Status page for the most up-to-date information before planning your FF14 server transfer.

Image showing the top section of the Final Fantasy XIV Mog Station webpage, highlighting the user account name and service account tabs.

Home World Transfer Service Fee and Potential Waivers

The standard fee for the Home World Transfer Service is $18.00 per transfer. However, there are situations where you can transfer for free:

Transferring to a New World: To encourage population balance, transfers to designated New Worlds are often free from non-New Worlds.
Transferring from a Congested World to a Preferred World: Moving from a high-population Congested World to a lower-population Preferred World is also typically offered without charge.

Always confirm the current fee structure and any applicable promotions on the Mog Station before initiating your FF14 server transfer, as these conditions are subject to change.

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

Using the Home World Transfer Service is a straightforward process through the Final Fantasy XIV Mog Station. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process smoothly:

Step 1: Confirming Your Transfer Eligibility – Are You Ready to Move?

Before you can initiate a FF14 server transfer, you must meet specific eligibility requirements to ensure a seamless transition. Carefully review the following checklist:

Active Square Enix Account: You must be the account owner with an active Final Fantasy XIV service subscription. Free Trial accounts, accounts in Free Login Campaigns, or suspended accounts are not eligible.
Service Usage Cooldown: At least three days must have passed since the last Home World Transfer Service usage on your service account.
Game Logout: You must be completely logged out of the game client before starting the transfer process.
Free Company Status: Your character cannot be enlisted in a Free Company, have a pending Free Company petition, be signed to a petition, or have an application to join a Free Company in progress.
Market Board Activity: Ensure your character has no items listed for sale on the Market Board.
Calamity Salvager: Retrieve any items entrusted to the Calamity Salvager NPC.
Retainer Rehiring (Version 1.0 Characters): If your character was transferred from Version 1.0, ensure any retainers are rehired.
Safe Logout Location: Log out your character outside of any instanced areas.
Eternal Bonding Reservations: Cancel any Ceremony of Eternal Bonding reservations.
“The Ties that Bind” Quest: Do not be currently undertaking the quest “The Ties that Bind.”
Eternal Bonding Invitations: Your character and retainers must not possess blank invitations for an Eternal Bonding ceremony that hasn’t occurred.
Housing Ownership: This is a critical point.
- General Rule: You must relinquish ownership of any land, estate, or apartment housing before a Home World Transfer.
- Exceptions: You can transfer without relinquishing housing only when transferring to a New World, or from a Congested World to a Preferred World.
- Housing Lottery: If participating in a housing lottery, be aware that transferring will invalidate your entry without a refund. You will also be unable to enter a lottery on the new World until the next lottery period.
- Automatic Relinquishment (Campaigns): Some campaigns may automatically relinquish housing and provide gil reimbursement (up to 999,999,999 gil).
Resident Caretaker/Housing Enthusiast: If your estate was automatically relinquished, ensure no housing items are with the Resident Caretaker NPC and no chocobo is with the Housing Enthusiast NPC.
Housemate Status: If designated as a housemate, your status will be automatically removed during the transfer.
Delivery Moogle: Retrieve any optional items purchased from the Online Store from the Delivery Moogle.
Inventory Space (Specific Transfers): If transferring to a New World or from a Congested World to a Preferred World, ensure sufficient inventory space to receive bonus items.

Screenshot showcasing the “Home World Transfer Service” option within the Mog Station’s “Games & Additional Services” menu.

Circumstances Preventing Home World Transfer

In addition to the eligibility requirements, there are specific circumstances that will prevent you from using the FF14 server transfer service:

Version 1.0 Incomplete Transfer: If your character is from Version 1.0 and hasn’t logged into a World since official service launch, transfer is not possible.
“Close to Home” Quest: You must have completed the quest “Close to Home.”
Character Not on Mog Station: Newly created characters may take time to appear on the Mog Station. Log out of the game and wait before attempting transfer if your character isn’t listed.
Recent Character Creation: Characters created within the last three days are not eligible for transfer.
90-Day Transfer Restriction: Characters transferred to or created on New Worlds, or transferred from Congested to Preferred Worlds, are subject to a 90-day transfer restriction.
Pending Name Change: A pending character name change must be processed before transfer.
Character Away from Home World: Your character must be on their Home World and logged out there to initiate the transfer.

Step 2: Login Restrictions During the Transfer Process – Patience is Key

Once you begin the FF14 server transfer application, you will be unable to create new characters or log into the game until the process is complete. Transfers are processed in the order applications are received. You will receive an email notification to your registered Square Enix account email address once the transfer is finished.

Crucially, do not attempt to log in before receiving this confirmation email. Doing so may cause errors and prolong the transfer process. Transfer times can vary depending on the number of players using the service at any given time.

Step 3: Accessing the Home World Transfer Service via Mog Station

Navigate to the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Mog Station and log in using your Square Enix account credentials.
On the “Your Account” page, you can verify your service account status and available characters. If you have multiple service accounts, select the relevant tab containing the character you wish to transfer.
Under “Games & Additional Services,” select “Home World Transfer Service” to begin your application.

Step 4: Applying for Your Home World Transfer – Making the Move

Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the Mog Station to complete your FF14 server transfer application. Before submitting, keep these important points in mind:

World Availability: There may be instances where your desired destination World is unavailable for transfer.
Character Creation Restrictions: You cannot transfer to Worlds with character creation restrictions in place.
Character Selection Screen Verification: After processing, always confirm your character appears on the character selection screen of your destination World before logging into the game. It may not be immediately visible.
Data Center Transfers: To transfer to a World on a different physical data center, you must first log into the game, select “Data Center” from the title screen, choose your desired data center, proceed to the Character Selection screen, and then select your target World from the list.
Maximum Character Limit: If the destination World or its data center has reached its maximum character capacity, you will be unable to transfer.
Character Name Conflicts: If your character name is already taken on the destination World, you will be prompted to change your 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 on the new World.

Image depicting the Home World Transfer Service application page on the Mog Station, showing character selection and destination World options.

Data Migration: What Transfers and What Stays Behind?

Understanding what data is transferred and what is not is crucial for managing expectations during your FF14 server transfer.

Data Transferred with Your Character:

Friend List
Blacklists
Cross-world Linkshells (with disbandment under specific master promotion conditions)
Character Items (excluding invalid Ceremony invitations for cross-data center transfers)
Retainers and their inventory
Moogle Letters
Gil (capped at 999,999,999 gil per character and retainer combined)
Doman Mahjong rank and ratings
Crystalline Conflict Season Rankings (Ranked Match data, not carried over in cross-data center transfers)

Data Not Transferred with Your Character:

Linkshells (you will be removed from all linkshells)
Free Companies (you must leave your Free Company before transferring)
Housing (ownership must be relinquished, except in specific transfer scenarios)
Triple Triad Tournament Scores
Lord of Verminion Tournament Scores
Jumbo Cactpot Tickets (any purchased tickets are lost)
Restoration Ranking Points (and removal from previous World rankings)
Deep Dungeon Scores (Personal and Party High Scores)

Data Updated Automatically:

Character data on the Lodestone
Lodestone Blogs and Comments (followers and following lists remain unaffected)

Important Disclaimers

The Home World Transfer Service is unavailable during Square Enix Account Management System or FINAL FANTASY XIV maintenance periods.
The Square Enix Support Center cannot answer questions regarding individual character eligibility for Home World Transfer.
The Home World Transfer Service terms and conditions are subject to change without prior notice based on World population fluctuations.
For issues encountered during the Home World Transfer Service, contact the Square Enix Support Center within one week of using the service for assistance.

Conclusion: Embark on Your New FF14 Adventure

The FF14 server transfer service provides a valuable tool for players looking to enhance their Final Fantasy XIV experience. By understanding the requirements, process, and implications outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate your Home World migration and seamlessly transition to your new server. Whether you’re seeking a new community, better gameplay opportunities, or simply a fresh start, the Home World Transfer Service empowers you to take control of your FF14 journey. Visit the Mog Station today to begin your server transfer!