Regular backups are essential to protect your website from data loss. In this guide, we explain how to create and restore backups in DirectAdmin.

Why backups are important

A backup is a copy of your website and database that you can use to recover from hack attempts, human errors, problematic updates, server problems, or website migration.

What's in a backup?

Automatic backups at Theory7

Theory7 creates daily automatic backups of your hosting. These are kept for 7 days. For restore of an automatic backup, contact support.

Creating a manual backup

Step 1: Navigate to Backup in DirectAdmin

  1. Log in to DirectAdmin
  2. Find Backup or Site Backup in the menu
  3. Click on Create/Restore Backups

Step 2: Select what to backup

  • ☑️ Domain - Website files
  • ☑️ Databases - MySQL databases
  • ☐ Email - Email accounts (optional)

Step 3: Create and download the backup

  1. Click Create Backup
  2. Wait until the backup is ready
  3. Download the .tar.gz file via File Manager or FTP
  4. Save to a safe place (external drive, cloud)

Database backup via phpMyAdmin

  1. Go to MySQL Management → phpMyAdmin
  2. Select your database
  3. Click Export → Quick → Go
  4. Save the .sql file

Restoring a backup

Full restore

  1. Go to Create/Restore Backups
  2. Click on Restore
  3. Select the backup file
  4. Check what you want to restore
  5. Click Restore

Note: A restore overwrites existing files and data!

Database restore via phpMyAdmin

  1. Go to phpMyAdmin
  2. Select the database
  3. Click Import
  4. Choose your .sql backup file
  5. Click Go

Backup strategy

Frequency Type Retention
Daily Database 7 days
Weekly Full 4 weeks
Monthly Full 3 months

Golden rule: Store backups in at least 2 different locations.

Tips

  1. Automate with WordPress plugins like UpdraftPlus
  2. Test regularly if backups work
  3. Document where backups are stored
  4. Remove old backups to save space

Need help?

We're here for you! Running into issues or have questions? Our support team is happy to help you personally. Drop us a message through the ticket system - we usually respond within a few hours and love helping you find the best solution.