How to Generate Backups in cPanel
Log In to cPanel
- Access your cPanel login page, typically at http://yourdomain.com:2083.
- Enter your username and password, then click "Log in."
Navigate to the Backup Section
- In the cPanel dashboard, locate the "Files" section.
- Click on "Backup" or "Backup Wizard."
Backup Wizard (if using Backup Wizard)
- If you clicked on "Backup Wizard," you will see an easy step-by-step guide to creating a backup.
- Click "Backup," then choose "Full Backup" or "Partial Backup" (e.g., Home Directory, MySQL Databases, Email Forwarders & Filters).
- For a full backup, select a backup destination (Home Directory, Remote FTP Server, etc.) and enter your email address to receive a notification when the backup is complete.
- The screenshot below will serve as an example of choosing a different method like Remote FTP Server.
If you are in the process of transferring your domain to a different hosting provider, you may opt to generate your backup to a remote server. However, please ensure that your domain has already been created on the remote server and that an FTP account is set up. You will need these account details to transfer the backup to the remote server as it is being generated.
- Click "Generate Backup."
Manual Backup (if using Backup)
- If you click on "Backup," you will see options for downloading full or partial backups.
- To create a full backup, click "Download a Full Account Backup."
- Choose a backup destination (Home Directory, Remote FTP Server, etc.) and enter your email address for notifications.
- Click "Generate Backup."
Download the Backup
- After the backup is generated, you can download it from the specified location, for instance your Default location would be in your File Manager.
Open the File Manager:
- In the cPanel dashboard, locate and click on the "File Manager" icon, typically found under the "Files" section.
Navigate to the Backup File:
- In File Manager, navigate to the directory where your backup file is stored. The backup is usually in the home directory or a backup folder.
Locate the Backup File:
- Find the backup file, which typically has a .tar.gz, .zip, or similar compressed file extension.
Download the Backup File:
- Right-click on the backup file and select "Download" from the context menu.
- The file will begin downloading to your local drive. Depending on your browser settings, you may be prompted to choose a location on your computer to save the file.
Verify the Download:
- After the download is complete, check your local drive to ensure the file has been saved correctly.
Delete the Backup from the Server (Optional):
- If you need to free up space on your server, you can delete the backup file from the File Manager after confirming the download. Right-click on the file and select "Delete," then confirm the deletion.
Tips for Managing Backups
- Schedule Regular Backups: Set up automated backups on a regular basis (daily, weekly, or monthly) to ensure your data is always protected.
- Store Backups Offsite: Keep copies of your backups in a separate location (e.g., cloud storage, remote server) to protect against physical damage or local failures.
- Test Your Backups: Periodically test your backups by restoring data to ensure they work correctly and that you can recover your data in an emergency.
- Keep Multiple Copies: Maintain multiple backup copies at different points in time to ensure you have options if a recent backup is corrupted or incomplete.
- Secure Your Backups: Encrypt your backups and store them in secure locations to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
By following these steps, you can successfully download your backup from cPanel's File Manager to your local drive.