How to Backup Your Files Without Using the cPanel Backup Option Print

  • Updated on 07-May-2024
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Hello dear customer! Whether you are a long-time website owner or just beginning your online journey, knowing how to back up your website's data is crucial. We understand that not all hosting plans offer the cPanel backup option. No worries! We're here to guide you on backing up your files using other reliable methods such as the cPanel File Manager and FTP. Additionally, we will walk you through backing up your MySQL databases using phpMyAdmin.

But before we get into the details, let's remind you why local backups are essential. You can learn more about this crucial step here.

Part 1: Backing Up Your Files Using cPanel File Manager

  1. Start by logging into your cPanel account. In the search bar at the top of the page, type "File Manager" and click on the icon.
  2. Inside the File Manager, you'll find the public_html folder. This is the main folder for your website. Right-click on it and select "Compress" to create a ZIP file of your website's data.
  3. Choose the location where you want to save this ZIP file and give it a name you can easily remember. Click on "Compress File(s)".
  4. Once the process is complete, go to where you saved the ZIP file. Right-click and select "Download". The compressed file will now be saved onto your local machine.

Please remember storing your backups in your hosting space is not advisable.

Part 2: Backing Up Your Files Using FTP

  1. To use FTP, you'll need an FTP client. FileZilla is a commonly used client that you can download for free.
  2. Open your FTP client and connect to your web server using your FTP login credentials. You can usually find these in your hosting account or contact our support team for assistance if you need to know these.
  3. Once connected, you'll see the files on your server. Please navigate to the public_html folder and download it to your local machine.

Part 3: Backing Up MySQL Databases Using phpMyAdmin

  1. In your cPanel account, search for phpMyAdmin and click the icon to open it.
  2. On the left side, you will see your databases. Click on the one you want to back up.
  3. Then click on the "Export" tab at the top. Choose the "Quick" export method and "SQL" format. Click "Go". This will save a .sql file on your local machine.

Learn more about how to take MySQL backups using cPanel here.

Also, remember it's a good idea to perform backups regularly, not just when moving your site. We at intoHOST also provide courtesy backups using JetBackups, which you might find helpful.

Restoring Your Backup on a New Hosting Account

Restoring your website from a backup is just as simple. Here are the basic steps you'll follow:

  1. Log into your new hosting account.
  2. For files, you can use either the cPanel File Manager or FTP to upload the ZIP file or the public_html folder you downloaded earlier.
  3. For databases, go to phpMyAdmin, create a new database, and click on the "Import" tab. Upload the .sql file you exported earlier.
  4. Finally, update your website's configuration file with your new database name, username, and password.

Remember, our support team is always here to assist you if you need help during these steps. Your online success is our mission!

If your cPanel has the backup option, use this step-by-step guide. Please follow this guide to take backups for those using the Plesk panel.

We hope you find this article helpful. Keep it bookmarked for easy reference whenever you need to back up or restore your website data. Happy hosting!

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