It is common knowledge that backups are crucial for a website. Softaculous can be used to build a website backup if you install a script, like WordPress. This article covers the creation of a backup and downloading a copy of the backup of your installation using Softaculous.
Also, you might want to monitor how much disk space you are using because the size of your backups will take up space on your server.
Steps for Creating Backups
The steps for creating a backup using Softaculous:
STEP 1: Log in to cPanel.
There are two methods to log into your cPanel.
- Method 1: Log in to your cPanel directly.
- Method 2: Log in to your cPanel through your Customer Portal.
Through your Customer Portal;
- Log in to your Customer Portal.
- Click on the "Log in to Cpanel" icon.
STEP 2: Locate the Software section and click on Softaculous Apps Installer.
STEP 3: Click the box for installation.
An alternative is to select the All Installations icon from the menu in the upper-right corner.
Note: WordPress will be used as an illustration.
STEP 4: Your current installations will appear on the following page.
STEP 5: Find the website that you want to backup.
STEP 6: In the Options column, click the Backup icon.
STEP 7: You will be displayed the page with the backup information. It will show your current backup count and the maximum number of backups you can create. Additionally, the backup database and backup directory are already chosen by default.
STEP 8: Select a Backup Location, and click the 'Backup Installation' tab.
STEP 9: Once done, return to your current installations by clicking the ‘Return to Overview’ link.
STEP 10: You can see the list of Backups on the Backups and Restore page and see the Notes (if you have added the note while taking a backup).
Your backup is created as a .tar gz file and is located in the File Manager's softaculous_backups directory and Backups and Restore section of Softaculous.
How the Backup Can Be Downloaded
A backup made with Softaculous can be downloaded in two different ways:
1. Through Backups and Restore
STEP 1: Click the Backups and Restore icon located in the upper-right menu on the Softaculous homepage.
STEP 2: From the list, locate the website. The File Name column will reveal the backup filename.
STEP 3: To download the backup, click the download icon or the backup filename.
STEP 4: The backup will be downloaded to your local computer.
2. Through the File Manager
To obtain a backup copy with File Manager:
STEP 1: Log in to cpanel.
STEP 2: In the Files section, click on File Manager.
STEP 3: From the list of files and folders in File Manager, find the softaculous_backups directory.
STEP 4: The backup is contained in a .tar gz file. The date the backup was created is typically included in the filename.
STEP 5: Click the Download icon in the top menu after selecting the backup file.
The backup will be downloaded to your local computer.
