How to Migrate from Auth0 to Supabase Auth: Step by Step
We’re migrating a user base from Auth0 to Supabase Auth, an important task because the right authentication strategy can make or break your app’s security and user experience.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 14.x or newer
- Supabase account
- Auth0 tenant with existing users
- Basic knowledge of JavaScript and SQL
Step 1: Export Users from Auth0
You need to start by fetching all user data from your Auth0 account. You can do this via the Auth0 Management API, which provides a straightforward way to access user details. The idea is to prepare your user data so that it aligns with what Supabase expects.
import requests
domain = "YOUR_AUTH0_DOMAIN"
token = "YOUR_MANAGEMENT_API_TOKEN"
url = f"https://{domain}/api/v2/users"
headers = {
"Authorization": f"Bearer {token}"
}
response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
users = response.json()
print(users)
Why are we doing it this way? Fetching users through an API maximizes control and efficiency. If you have thousands of users, this beats manual exporting any day of the week.
Step 2: Transform User Data for Supabase
After fetching data from Auth0, the next step is transforming it to fit Supabase’s schema. Supabase deals with user data in a particular way, so we need to ensure compatibility.
def transform_user(user):
return {
"id": user['user_id'], # Adjust according to your data structure
"email": user['email'],
"password": user.get('password', None), # Ensure passwords are hashed if stored
"created_at": user['created_at'],
"updated_at": user['updated_at'],
}
transformed_users = [transform_user(user) for user in users]
print(transformed_users)
This step is crucial because discrepancies in user structure can lead to failed migrations or worse, broken authentication mechanisms. I’ve messed this up before—trust me, it’s not pretty when half your users can’t log in.
Step 3: Insert Users into Supabase
Now that we have our transformed data ready, it’s time to import it into Supabase. You’ll use their API for this. Authenticating and inserting in bulk can speed things up immensely.
import json
supabase_url = "YOUR_SUPABASE_URL/rest/v1/users"
supabase_key = "YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY"
for user in transformed_users:
requests.post(supabase_url,
headers={
"Authorization": f"Bearer {supabase_key}",
"Content-Type": "application/json"
},
data=json.dumps(user)
)
Why post users this way? Bulk inserts are efficient and prevent individual request overhead. You might run into rate limits if you’re trying to shove in too many at once, so keep an eye on your Supabase logs as you go. Honestly, hitting a rate limit feels like trying to get through a crowded door—you’re going to get stuck.
Step 4: Update User Settings and Permissions
After you’ve pushed the users into Supabase, ensuring each user has correct settings and permissions is vital. Initially, you might have generic settings that need tweaking based on your app’s exit conditions.
def update_permissions(user_id):
url = f"{supabase_url}/{user_id}"
requests.patch(url,
headers={
"Authorization": f"Bearer {supabase_key}",
"Content-Type": "application/json"
},
data=json.dumps({"role": "authenticated"}) # This is an example
)
for user in transformed_users:
update_permissions(user['id'])
This ensures that your users have the rights they need to access certain features. Not doing this can frustrate users who find they can’t do what they always have done. Trust me; I learned after deploying a bare-bones app with zero permissions and horrendous user complaints.
The Gotchas
- Password Handling: If you’re not migrating hashed passwords correctly, users will be locked out. Make sure you’re using a compatible hashing technique.
- API Rate Limits: Both Auth0 and Supabase have API limits. Exceeding them can halt your migration and leave you scrambling to figure out what’s wrong.
- User Metadata: Metadata might not port over cleanly. You’ll need to manage this manually if you’ve stored additional attributes associated with users.
- Sessions: Old sessions from Auth0 will not transfer. Be prepared for some angry users when they realize they have to log in again!
- Email Verification: If your users have verified emails in Auth0, check to see if these settings transfer smoothly into Supabase.
Full Code: Complete Working Example
import requests
import json
# Auth0 details
auth0_domain = "YOUR_AUTH0_DOMAIN"
auth0_token = "YOUR_MANAGEMENT_API_TOKEN"
auth0_url = f"https://{auth0_domain}/api/v2/users"
# Supabase details
supabase_url = "YOUR_SUPABASE_URL/rest/v1/users"
supabase_key = "YOUR_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY"
# Step 1: Export Users from Auth0
def fetch_users():
headers = {
"Authorization": f"Bearer {auth0_token}"
}
response = requests.get(auth0_url, headers=headers)
return response.json()
# Step 2: Transform User Data for Supabase
def transform_user(user):
return {
"id": user['user_id'],
"email": user['email'],
"created_at": user['created_at'],
"updated_at": user['updated_at'],
}
# Step 3: Insert Users into Supabase
def insert_users(transformed_users):
for user in transformed_users:
requests.post(supabase_url,
headers={
"Authorization": f"Bearer {supabase_key}",
"Content-Type": "application/json"
},
data=json.dumps(user)
)
# Step 4: Update User Settings and Permissions
def update_permissions(user_id):
url = f"{supabase_url}/{user_id}"
requests.patch(url,
headers={
"Authorization": f"Bearer {supabase_key}",
"Content-Type": "application/json"
},
data=json.dumps({"role": "authenticated"})
)
# Full Process
users = fetch_users()
transformed_users = [transform_user(user) for user in users]
insert_users(transformed_users)
for user in transformed_users:
update_permissions(user['id'])
What’s Next?
Audit your users and permissions after migration. It’s good practice to ensure everything lines up and works as expected. There’s nothing worse than clicking around and finding broken authentication flows or mismatched settings.
FAQ
- Can I migrate user passwords?
Only if you have access to the hashes used by Auth0, or if users set new passwords post-migration. - What to do if migrations fail?
Check your API limits, response codes, and whether you adhere to user schemas expected by Supabase. - How do I handle user sessions?
Your users will have to log in again with the new setup, so inform them first!
Data Sources
Last updated May 02, 2026. Data sourced from official docs and community benchmarks.
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