What is a backup?
A backup is a spare copy of your site. If you break something or get hacked, you can bring back the copy. It is like a photo of your work that you keep in a drawer. Softaculous is a tool in cPanel that installs apps such as WordPress. It can also back them up. A Softaculous backup holds both the app files and its database. A database is an organized store for the content of your site.
Ask Hostvento support if Softaculous backups are on your plan.
Steps to make a backup
- Log in to cPanel and open Softaculous Apps Installer.
- Click All Installations at the top right.
- Find the app you want to back up.
- Click the Backup icon, which often looks like a small box with a down arrow. It is on the right side of the row.
- Choose what to include. You can pick Backup Directory for the files, Backup Database for the data, and Backup Data Directory if the app has one.
- Type a note in the Backup Note box, such as "before update". This helps you remember why you made it.
- Click Installations Backup or Backup Installation.
- Wait for the green success message.
Where is the backup?
- In Softaculous, click Backups in the top menu.
- You will see your backups with their dates and sizes.
The files are stored in your account, so they use some of your disk space. Delete old backups that you no longer need.
Automatic backups
When you edit an installation, Softaculous may show an Automated Backups option. You can choose how often it runs, such as daily or weekly, and how many copies to keep. Ask support which options your plan allows.
Restore a backup
- Open Backups.
- Find the backup you want.
- Click the Restore icon.
- Confirm. This replaces your current site with the older copy, so use it with care.
Quick recap
- A backup is a spare copy of your app.
- Go to All Installations and click the Backup icon.
- Pick the files and database and click the backup button.
- Find your copies under Backups.