Move apps from the default environment (preview)

[This article is prerelease documentation and is subject to change.]

Makers often use the default environment in Power Platform as a shared space to create apps, agents, and flows. However, they might not use adequate governance controls to manage these resources efficiently. Over time, this approach can lead to clutter, unmanaged resources, and security risks.

This new recommendation in the Power Platform admin center helps administrators move apps from the default environment to designated Managed Environments. This process ensures compliance, security, and better organization.

Note

• This is a preview feature.
• Preview features aren’t meant for production use and might have restricted functionality. These features are subject to supplemental terms of use, and are available before an official release so that customers can get early access and provide feedback.
• During the preview:
  • You can only move canvas apps and SharePoint forms that don't use any shared connectors or resources. The recommendation only shows the apps and forms that you can move.
  • You need to add the users in the target environment and reshare the app with them.
  • If the app in the default environment isn't quarantined or deleted, users can continue to access it. However, they see a banner message indicating that the app has moved.

Benefits

• Streamlined governance
• Reduced manual effort
• Improved security posture
• Scalability for large organizations

Prerequisites

• System administrator or tenant-level administrator permissions.
• Access to the Power Platform admin center.
• Managed Environments configured as the destination.

Move apps

You can move apps by using one of the following methods:

• Manual cleanup: Best for smaller migrations or when you want to review apps individually.
• Automated cleanup by using Power Automate: Best for bulk migrations by using preapproved recommendations.

Move apps by using manual cleanup

1. Sign in to the Power Platform admin center.

2. Go to Actions > Recommendations.

3. Select Improve environment hygiene by moving the production apps out of the default environment.

4. Review the apps that are listed for cleanup.

5. Select an app and then select View Details.

6. Select Move to start the migration wizard.

7. Choose the destination environment from the list, and then select Next.

8. Indicate who should receive messages about the move. You can remove users who are listed, or add new users by entering a name in the Send to box. Select Next.

9. Review the information displayed and decide what to do with the original app by selecting one of the following options:

   • None: Keep the app as is. We recommend that you rename the original app with (Moved) and add a redirect screen.
   • Quarantine: Restrict access to the owner only.
   • Delete: Permanently remove the original app.

10. Select Move to complete the migration.

Move apps by using automated cleanup with Power Automate

1. Create a flow with a Manual Trigger.

2. Use the Power Platform for Admins V2 connector:

   • Get Recommendations.

   • Get Recommendation Resources.

3. Filter for apps in the default environment.

4. Loop through the apps and run the Migrate to Managed Environment action using:

   • Recommendation name: Secure high-value apps with premium governance.

   • Action name: Migrates an application to a Managed Environment.

   • API version: 2022-03-01-preview.

   • Parameters: Example to use in a for-each action:

     [
     {
     "resourceId": @{items('Apply_to_each')?['resourceId']},
     "environment": @{items('Apply_to_each')?['environmentId']}, "destinationEnvironmentName": "<destination environment guid>"
     }
     ]

5. Confirm the migration in the Power Platform admin center.

Post-migration tasks

• Validate apps in the new environment.
• Update documentation and notify stakeholders.
• Optionally, add redirect screens to the original apps.

Next steps

• Learn more about Managed Environments.
• Explore Environment routing.