Database backups are created hourly, so updating your website is safe because you can go back in time hour-by-hour. For large changes, we still recommend taking a manual directory and database backup.
Automatic Backups
WP Stratos runs backups in the background on two schedules, so you always have a recent recovery point without lifting a finger:- Hourly database backups. Your WordPress database is backed up every hour, which matters more than it sounds like it should. Most site damage (a bad plugin update, a corrupted post, a hacked admin account) shows up in the database, not the files, so an hourly database snapshot means you’re rarely more than 60 minutes from a clean state.
- Daily full-site backups. A complete snapshot of files and database runs once a day, capturing themes, plugins, uploads, WordPress core, and a full database dump together.
Creating a Manual Backup
Trigger an on-demand backup at any time, for example right before making significant changes to your site. Each plan allows a maximum of two manual backups at a time: one manual database backup and one manual directory (files) backup. You choose which type to take from the Cloud Panel.1
Navigate to your site's Backups
In the Cloud Panel, click your site, then select the Backups tab.
2
Click Create Backup
Click the Create Backup button at the top of the Backups page and choose whether you want a database backup or a directory (files) backup. You can have one manual backup of each type at a time. If you already have one and need a fresh one, delete the old manual backup first.
3
Wait for the backup to complete
A progress indicator appears while WP Stratos captures your files or database. Backup time varies with site size, most sites complete in under two minutes.
4
Confirm the backup is listed
Once finished, the new backup appears at the top of your backup list with a timestamp and the label Manual. Add a note if you want a reminder of why you took it, like “before checkout redesign” or “pre-plugin-update”, future you will appreciate it when there are a dozen backups to choose from.
Restoring a Backup
1
Navigate to your site's Backups
In the Cloud Panel, click your site, then select the Backups tab.
2
Find the backup to restore
Browse the backup list by date. Automatic backups are labeled Hourly or Daily depending on type; backups you triggered manually are labeled Manual.
3
Click Restore
Click the Restore button next to the backup you want. A confirmation dialog appears summarizing what will be overwritten.
4
Confirm the restore
Read the confirmation prompt carefully, then click Confirm Restore. WP Stratos begins restoring your site immediately. The process typically completes within a few minutes, depending on site size.
Downloading a Backup
Keep an offline copy of any backup by downloading it as a zip archive.1
Navigate to your site's Backups
In the Cloud Panel, click your site, then select the Backups tab.
2
Locate the backup you want
Find the backup by its timestamp in the list.
3
Click Download
Click the Download icon next to the backup. WP Stratos packages the files and/or database into a single zip archive and starts the download in your browser. If you want a backup of your whole installation, either download a daily full backup or create a manual full backup of directories and database.