UniFi Network Google Cloud DNS
Migrate DNS from UniFi to Cloud DNS.
6 record types move as they are. Nothing else needs special handling.
Free preview. Read-only. Nothing changes until you apply.
What works differently
Generated from the same provider capability data the migration engine uses.
Moves as-is
- A
- AAAA
- CNAME
- MX
- TXT
- SRV
A straightforward move.
A typical UniFi zone at Cloud DNS
Example records for example.com. Open any flagged row to read why it changed.
UniFi Cloud DNS
- ExactA@
192.0.2.70
- ExactAAAA@
2001:db8::70
- ExactMX@
10 mx1.mail.example.net. +1
- ExactTXT@
"v=spf1 include:_spf.example.net -all"
- ExactCAA@
0 issue "letsencrypt.org"
- ExactTXT_dmarc
"v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com"
- ExactSRV_sip._tls
100 1 443 sip.example.net.
- ExactCNAMEwww
example.com.
| Status | Type | Name | At Cloud DNS | TTL | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exact | A | @ |
| 5m | |
| Exact | AAAA | @ |
| 5m | |
| Exact | MX | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | TXT | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | CAA | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | TXT | _dmarc |
| 1h | |
| Exact | SRV | _sip._tls |
| 1h | |
| Exact | CNAME | www |
| 1h |
How the move works
- 1
Connect UniFi
Connect UniFi with read-only access (API key (X-API-Key) + controller URL or UniFi console ID (via api.ui.com)).
- 2
Connect Cloud DNS
Connect Cloud DNS (Service account key (JSON)). Write access is only used when you apply.
- 3
Review the preview
Check every record marked Review or Unsupported. Each one explains what changes and why.
- 4
Apply to Cloud DNS
We snapshot the Cloud DNS zone, write in batches, and leave UniFi untouched.
- 5
Verify
We query Cloud DNS's own nameservers for every record and compare the answers before you switch.
- 6
Switch nameservers
Lower TTLs a day or two ahead, remove any DS record if DNSSEC is on, then point the domain at the new nameservers at your registrar.
Good to know about UniFi
- Consoles usually sit on a private network; we refuse private addresses by design, so either use the console ID (reached through api.ui.com) or expose the console publicly over HTTPS.
- A publicly trusted TLS certificate is required when connecting directly: we never skip certificate verification, so the console's default self-signed certificate will not work.
- Records are one flat list per site (no zones); only A, AAAA and CNAME have a configurable TTL, and TXT values are limited to 255 characters without double quotes.
Access we need: A UniFi API key acts with the role of the admin who created it; create it from an admin limited to network settings where possible. It can read and write static DNS entries.
Good to know about Cloud DNS
- Routing policies (weighted round robin, geolocation, failover) don't carry over to most providers.
- Apex CNAMEs are not allowed.
Access we need: roles/dns.reader for the preview, roles/dns.admin to apply.
Questions
Will there be downtime moving from UniFi to Cloud DNS?
Not if both providers serve the same answers during the switch. The records are copied to Cloud DNS and verified before you change nameservers, so resolvers get the same answer from either side while caches expire.
Do I have to delete anything at UniFi?
No. We never write to UniFi. Keep the old zone for a week after cutover so you can switch back instantly if anything looks wrong.
What about DNSSEC?
If DNSSEC is on, remove the DS record at your registrar and wait for it to expire before switching nameservers. Then enable DNSSEC at Cloud DNS and publish its new DS record. The cutover plan walks you through each step.
Ready to see your own zone?
Start a free preview