How to manage backups using cPanel

This article describes how to download backups of your web site and then restore them by using cPanel.

About backups

Backups are an important part of web site administration. When you keep backup copies of your website’s files and configurations in a safe location, you can use them to restore your web site in the event something happens that prevents it from functioning correctly.

You can create a backup at any time. This is useful, for example, if you make significant changes to your web site and you do not want to wait for the scheduled daily or weekly backup to occur. You can create partial or full backups of your web site.

Creating a full backup of your web site

To create a full backup of your web site by using cPanel, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
2. Open the Backup tool:
   • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Files section, click Backup:

     

   • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the FILES section of the cPanel home page, click Backup:
     

     

3. Under Full Backup, click Download a Full Account Backup.

4. Under Generate a Full Backup, in the Backup Destination list box, select where you want to save the backup file.
   

   You can save the backup file in your home directory, or you can transfer the backup file to another site by using FTP or SCP. If you use FTP or SCP, you must type the remote server, remote username, and remote password.
5. If you do not want to receive an e-mail message when the backup is complete, click Do not send email notification of backup completion.
6. Click Generate Backup. cPanel creates the backup.

Downloading a full backup of your web site

If you have created a full backup of your web site, you can download the backup file.

To download a full backup, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
2. Open the Backup tool:
   • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Files section, click Backup:

     

   • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the FILES section of the cPanel home page, click Backup:
     

     

3. In the Files section of the cPanel home screen, click Backups.
4. Under Full Backup, click Download a Full Account Backup.
5. Under Backups Available for Download, click the file that you want to download.

Restoring a full backup of your web site

For managed packages without root access, it is not possible to restore a full website backup. A2 Hosting Support can assist you. To have your Full Website Backup restored for you by A2 Hosting Support, follow these steps:

1. Upload the full website backup to the home directory of your account.
2. Create a ticket with support requesting restoration of the backup.

If you are a cPanel user with root access, follow these steps:

1. Log in to WHM and select Restore a Full Backup/cpmove File from the left column.
2. On the Restore a Full Backup/cpmove File page, review the required filename formats and make sure the backup to be restored uses one of the required formats.
3. Using FTP or SFTP, upload the full website backup to one of the directories specified on the Restore a Full Backup/cpmove File page.
4. Select Restricted Restore if it is not selected by default.
5. In the Transfer Method: section, select Restore with Username.
6. In the Username for the account that you wish to restore: list box, select the username of the backup to be restored.
   The section regarding A records may be skipped for a restore of an existing account.
7. Select the Overwrite the existing user check box.
8. Click Restore.

Downloading a partial backup

To download an existing partial backup, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
2. Open the Backup tool:
   • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Files section, click Backup:

     

   • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the FILES section of the cPanel home page, click Backup:
     

     

3. Under Partial Backups, click the name of the backup file that you want to download. Depending upon your web site's configuration, some or all of the following backup types may be available:
   

   • Home directory
   • MySQL databases
   • E-mail forwarders
   • E-mail filters

Restoring a partial backup

To restore an existing partial backup, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see this article.
2. Open the Backup tool:
   • If you are using the Jupiter theme, on the Tools page, in the Files section, click Backup:

     

   • If you are using the Paper Lantern theme, in the FILES section of the cPanel home page, click Backup:
     

     

3. Under Partial Backups, click Browse, select the partial backup file that you want to restore, and then click Upload.