Back Up PrestaShop Files and Database

What do you need to back up?

A PrestaShop store has two parts. The files hold the program, your theme and your product pictures. The database is like a filing cabinet that holds products, orders and customers. You need both for a full backup. One without the other is not enough.

Make a backup before updates, before installing modules and before big changes.

Part 1: Back up the files

1. Log in to the client area and open your hosting control panel.
2. Open File Manager.
3. Go to your PrestaShop folder, often public_html.
4. Select all files and folders.
5. Click Compress and choose Zip Archive.
6. Name it with the date, then click Compress File(s).
7. Right-click the ZIP and choose Download.

Part 2: Back up the database with phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is a tool in your control panel for working with databases.

1. Open phpMyAdmin in the control panel.
2. On the left, click the database your store uses. If you are not sure which one, open app/config/parameters.php (version 1.7) or config/settings.inc.php (version 1.6) and look for the database name.
3. Click the Export tab.
4. Leave the method as Quick and the format as SQL.
5. Click Go. A file ending in .sql downloads.

Another way: backup inside PrestaShop

1. Log in to your back office.
2. Go to Advanced Parameters, then Database, then DB Backup. In version 1.6 it is under Advanced Parameters, then DB Backup.
3. Click Create a new backup.
4. When it finishes, click the link to download the file.

This saves only the database. The files still need Part 1.

To restore

1. Upload the ZIP in File Manager and extract it over your store folder.
2. In phpMyAdmin, choose your database and click Import. Select your .sql file and click Go.

Quick recap

• Back up files and database together.
• Zip the files in File Manager.
• Export the database in phpMyAdmin or from the back office.
• Keep copies away from the server.