Nightly backups happen on their own, but sometimes you want a backup right now. Maybe you are about to try something new, or you want a copy of your database to keep on your own computer. Both take just a click or two.
If you have not read it yet, how backups work explains what a backup contains and how long we keep them. The short version: a backup is a copy of your site's database, and we keep each one for two weeks.
Create a backup on the spot
Open your site and click Back up now at the top of its dashboard, or Backup at the top of its Backups page.
We start the backup right away. The button shows it is working until the backup is done, which usually takes a few seconds and can take longer for a big site. Then the backup appears at the top of the Backups list, and a Backup Completed notification arrives in the bell at the top of the dashboard.
A manual backup is a good habit before any big change:
- Installing, updating, or removing a module
- A large import or bulk edit
- Reorganizing your exhibits or collections
If something does not go the way you hoped, you can restore the backup and pick up where you left off.
Download a backup
On the site's Backups page, open the ⋮ menu at the end of a backup's row and choose Download. The backup comes down to your computer as a zip file containing your site's database.
Downloading matters more than you might think. We automatically remove backups that are older than two weeks, so if there is a snapshot you want to keep (say, the state of your site at the end of a semester or before a big migration), download it and store it somewhere safe. Your own copy is yours forever.
Delete a backup
The same menu has a Delete option if you want to remove a backup yourself. You will be asked to confirm first. Since old backups are cleaned up automatically anyway, most people never need this, but it is there if you want to tidy up.
What about my uploaded files?
Remember that these backups cover your database only. The images, PDFs, and other media you upload are stored separately and are not inside the zip file. If you need a full copy of your uploaded files, open a support ticket and we will help you out.