How to back up your WordPress blog in 60 seconds

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Backing up your WordPress blog takes less than 60 seconds and will save you hours of heartache later if something goes wrong. Back up frequently, at least once every few posts so that you don’t lose them or the comments your readers have left. Start by installing the free BackWPUp plugin from the WordPress codex.

Now go to BackWPUp -> Add News.

Click to see this full size.

This plugin is handy because it backs up both the database and your uploaded files, and you can specify a target like DropBox or Amazon S3 to store your backup files.

Other blog platforms should be just as easy. If you’ve ever lost a blog, you know how much of it – especially comments – is unrecoverable and permanently lost.

Comments

110 responses to “How to back up your WordPress blog in 60 seconds”

May 16, 2009

Gill

Thanks man!

Reply
May 16, 2009

Gill

Thanks man!

Reply
May 16, 2009

Gill

Thanks man!

Reply
May 16, 2009

Matthew Ebel

Yeah… I use a plugin that automatically backs up the whole database and emails it to me. Daily. I save a month's worth of backups so if something goes ugly or gets hacked, I can walk it back to when it WORKED. 🙂

Reply
May 16, 2009

Matthew Ebel

Yeah… I use a plugin that automatically backs up the whole database and emails it to me. Daily. I save a month's worth of backups so if something goes ugly or gets hacked, I can walk it back to when it WORKED. 🙂

Reply
May 16, 2009

Matthew Ebel

Yeah… I use a plugin that automatically backs up the whole database and emails it to me. Daily. I save a month's worth of backups so if something goes ugly or gets hacked, I can walk it back to when it WORKED. 🙂

Reply
May 16, 2009

Jeremy M

Please be aware, though, that the WP export function only backs up internal-to-wordpress portions of your database.

If you use plugins that store information in DB fields (such as PodPress), this will not keep that data safe.

For that, I suggest you use WP-DB-Backup

Reply
May 16, 2009

Jeremy M

Please be aware, though, that the WP export function only backs up internal-to-wordpress portions of your database.

If you use plugins that store information in DB fields (such as PodPress), this will not keep that data safe.

For that, I suggest you use WP-DB-Backup

Reply
May 16, 2009

Jeremy M

Please be aware, though, that the WP export function only backs up internal-to-wordpress portions of your database.

If you use plugins that store information in DB fields (such as PodPress), this will not keep that data safe.

For that, I suggest you use WP-DB-Backup

Reply
May 16, 2009

Gill

Thanks man!

Reply
May 16, 2009

Matthew Ebel

Yeah… I use a plugin that automatically backs up the whole database and emails it to me. Daily. I save a month’s worth of backups so if something goes ugly or gets hacked, I can walk it back to when it WORKED. 🙂

Reply
May 16, 2009

Jeremy M

Please be aware, though, that the WP export function only backs up internal-to-wordpress portions of your database.

If you use plugins that store information in DB fields (such as PodPress), this will not keep that data safe.

For that, I suggest you use WP-DB-Backup

Reply
May 18, 2009

billhanifin

Chris, This simple post was invaluable for those of use who work hard to create the content and might overlook something critical like making sure we have that content protected. Can't thank you enough.

Reply
May 18, 2009

billhanifin

Chris, This simple post was invaluable for those of use who work hard to create the content and might overlook something critical like making sure we have that content protected. Can't thank you enough.

Reply
May 18, 2009

billhanifin

Chris, This simple post was invaluable for those of use who work hard to create the content and might overlook something critical like making sure we have that content protected. Can't thank you enough.

Reply
May 18, 2009

billhanifin

Chris, This simple post was invaluable for those of use who work hard to create the content and might overlook something critical like making sure we have that content protected. Can't thank you enough.

Reply
May 18, 2009

Avery Horzewski

Thanks Chris!

Reply
May 18, 2009

Avery Horzewski

Thanks Chris!

Reply
May 18, 2009

Avery Horzewski

Thanks Chris!

Reply
May 19, 2009

Avery Horzewski

Thanks Chris!

Reply
May 25, 2009

Alice

Thanks for this info. This simple tutorial will help many new bloggers to preserve their content.

Reply
May 25, 2009

Alice

Thanks for this info. This simple tutorial will help many new bloggers to preserve their content.

Reply
May 25, 2009

Alice

Thanks for this info. This simple tutorial will help many new bloggers to preserve their content.

Reply
May 25, 2009

Alice

Thanks for this info. This simple tutorial will help many new bloggers to preserve their content.

Reply
September 1, 2009

Nick Soper

What about uploads?

Reply
September 1, 2009

Nick Soper

What about uploads?

Reply
September 1, 2009

nicksoper

What about uploads?

Reply
September 17, 2009

devinotway

Sounds like a good plugin, whats the name of it if you don't mind sharing?

Reply
September 17, 2009

scrodiddy

Sounds like a good plugin, whats the name of it if you don't mind sharing?

Reply
September 18, 2009

Christopher S. Penn

WP-backup!

Reply
September 18, 2009

Christopher S. Penn

WP-backup!

Reply
September 18, 2009

scrodiddy

Sounds like a good plugin, whats the name of it if you don't mind sharing?

Reply
September 18, 2009

Christopher S. Penn

WP-backup!

Reply
October 6, 2009

Blue Moon Candles

Thanks Chris!
I wish everything was as easy as you made this. The visual really helped me.

Reply
October 6, 2009

Blue Moon Candles

Thanks Chris!
I wish everything was as easy as you made this. The visual really helped me.

Reply
October 6, 2009

Blue Moon Candles

Thanks Chris!
I wish everything was as easy as you made this. The visual really helped me.

Reply
October 10, 2009

Diana

Damn that was so useful. THANKS!

Reply
October 10, 2009

Diana

Damn that was so useful. THANKS!

Reply
October 10, 2009

Diana

Damn that was so useful. THANKS!

Reply
November 24, 2009

Arnold Karsten

Thanks

Reply
November 25, 2009

Arnold Karsten

Thanks

Reply
January 21, 2010

mads

I wouldn't recommend this backup options if your blog is big/many posts. I recently tried to backup my blog with the export feature and I ended up with a xml file bigger than 10Mb. I really had to change many things and split the xml file before I could proceed. I recommend a proper database backup.

Reply
January 22, 2010

mads

I wouldn't recommend this backup options if your blog is big/many posts. I recently tried to backup my blog with the export feature and I ended up with a xml file bigger than 10Mb. I really had to change many things and split the xml file before I could proceed. I recommend a proper database backup.

Reply
January 25, 2010

FromAtoPink

Thank you! This was SO helpful! One question: Say I DO lose my content, how do I restore it using the back up file I just created?

Reply
January 26, 2010

FromAtoPink

Thank you! This was SO helpful! One question: Say I DO lose my content, how do I restore it using the back up file I just created?

Reply
January 26, 2010

Christopher S. Penn

There's an Import option right next to the Export one.

Reply
January 26, 2010

Christopher S. Penn

There’s an Import option right next to the Export one.

Reply
February 9, 2010

Paul

Fantastic. Just what I was looking for. Thanks a lot, I feel happier now.

Reply
February 9, 2010

Paul

Fantastic. Just what I was looking for. Thanks a lot, I feel happier now.

Reply
February 21, 2010

Ed

Very invaluable! cheers mate. thnx again.

Reply
February 21, 2010

Ed

Very invaluable! cheers mate. thnx again.

Reply
March 20, 2010

Carol Giambri

What are you backing up to? CD, a folder on hard drive? Thanks tons.

Reply
March 21, 2010

Mukul Verma Internet Marketing

Thanks a lot, this was useful in helping me backup wordpress in 20 seconds 🙂

Reply
March 31, 2010

jdpruitt

Quick and to the point. I love it. Thanks!

Reply
March 31, 2010

jdpruitt

Quick and to the point. I love it. Thanks!

Reply
April 23, 2010

Ralphibus

Is this equal to a backup of the database? After reading more about backups I think I will try the Word Press Database Backup” plugin.

Reply
April 23, 2010

Ralphibus

Is this equal to a backup of the database? After reading more about backups I think I will try the Word Press Database Backup” plugin.

Reply
1. March 30, 2012
  
  Christopher S. Penn
  
  This is now updated for files and database.
  
  Reply
May 22, 2010

Chris

Thanks for the (easy) tip Chris. Do you recommend any other way to save wordpress blogs if something happens on the server side? I've read about the DB manager plugin, but I've also read about paid services that will back everything up. Recommendations?

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May 22, 2010

Chris

Thanks for the (easy) tip Chris. Do you recommend any other way to save wordpress blogs if something happens on the server side? I've read about the DB manager plugin, but I've also read about paid services that will back everything up. Recommendations?

Reply
May 26, 2010

Latifah Shay Artist

Found this post through Google.
Thanks for sharing this info – it really was a 60 sec backup. 😉

Reply
May 27, 2010

Latifah Shay Artist

Found this post through Google.
Thanks for sharing this info – it really was a 60 sec backup. 😉

Reply
May 30, 2010

Federico

Awesome

Backup done in 15 seconds. Great tip!

maitravelsite.com

Reply
May 30, 2010

Rhandell Mitchell

Thanks a lot… I also found this post on Google… I'm taking my blogging efforts very seriously and I want to ensure that my information is all saved and filed away safely. Thanks again.

Reply
May 31, 2010

Federico

Awesome

Backup done in 15 seconds. Great tip!

maitravelsite.com

Reply
May 31, 2010

Rhandell Mitchell

Thanks a lot… I also found this post on Google… I'm taking my blogging efforts very seriously and I want to ensure that my information is all saved and filed away safely. Thanks again.

Reply
June 3, 2010

djsteen

Thanks for this tip, Chris! I didn't know it was this dead-simple to export/backup a WordPress installation.

I have been using Backupify and WordPress Database Backup for double the backup goodness.

I've never lost any WordPress installations, but ever since I lost a hard drive I backup anything and everything with redundant methods.

Reply
June 3, 2010

djsteen

Thanks for this tip, Chris! I didn't know it was this dead-simple to export/backup a WordPress installation.

I have been using Backupify and WordPress Database Backup for double the backup goodness.

I've never lost any WordPress installations, but ever since I lost a hard drive I backup anything and everything with redundant methods.

Reply
July 2, 2010

Josh

True to your word. Backed up in 60 seconds. Thanks for your help.

Reply
July 2, 2010

Josh

True to your word. Backed up in 60 seconds. Thanks for your help.

Reply
July 5, 2010

Vivek Bandebuche

ty for this nice post

Reply
July 5, 2010

Vivek Bandebuche

ty for this nice post

Reply
July 10, 2010

Tim Colletti

This was a GREAT tip. I just had a scare with my blog, so I am backing it up right now!

Reply
July 11, 2010

Tim Colletti

This was a GREAT tip. I just had a scare with my blog, so I am backing it up right now!

Reply
July 21, 2010

Pl Warner

I feel like a fool, but I'm not sure I did this right…I exported and downloaded onto my computer, then dragged into an external hard drive. But when I opened it up on that drive, it showed 2 errors, and a ton of writing. What should it look like when I open it up on that external hard drive?

Reply
July 21, 2010

Pl Warner

I feel like a fool, but I'm not sure I did this right…I exported and downloaded onto my computer, then dragged into an external hard drive. But when I opened it up on that drive, it showed 2 errors, and a ton of writing. What should it look like when I open it up on that external hard drive?

Reply
July 21, 2010

Pl Warner

I feel like a fool, but I'm not sure I did this right…I exported and downloaded onto my computer, then dragged into an external hard drive. But when I opened it up on that drive, it showed 2 errors, and a ton of writing. What should it look like when I open it up on that external hard drive?

Reply
August 3, 2010

ronaldredito

I tried this to back up my old blog but it only made back ups on post, pages and comments. I had a hard time backing up the photos.

I think my site was penalized because of broken links when I transferred to a new host.

Reply
1. March 30, 2012
  
  Christopher S. Penn
  
  This is now updated for files and database.
  
  Reply
August 16, 2010

Gary B.

Priceless!

Reply
August 19, 2010

How to backup Wordpress completely –

[…] First, backup your content by exporting it from WordPress. Like so. […]

Reply
August 23, 2010

Aaron Sylvan

FYI, I have a photo blog, with about a 0.5GB of images on it… and the dump I just got from these instructions was only 1.6MB, suggesting that it’s basically text-only.

Also, I’m pretty sure these instructions don’t capture theme settings, just your writing. Of course it *is* important to back up your writing. But it might be a good idea to do a full mySQL dump and/or to archive all the media files that might be used by your blog.

Reply
1. January 5, 2013
  
  whatever
  
  I agree with you, AND it takes ages to set up, then getting rid of it is nightmare.
  
  Reply
September 28, 2010

Charlotte Hills

Thanks for that, I’ve been trying to work out how to back up my blog site since I don’t have a plugin feature available on my site. Thanks!!

Reply
October 5, 2010

Backing Up Your Wordpress Blog for Beginners!

[…] I was writing this, I came across this site purporting Backing Up in 60s, which looks dead easy but once I read the comments on the post I wasn’t convinced that it was […]

Reply
November 2, 2010

Tibi

That is really good, though a full backup from cpanel would be better

Reply
November 2, 2010

Tibi

That is really good, though a full backup from cpanel would be better

Reply
November 15, 2010

Anonymous

Thank you so much.

Reply
December 15, 2010

Jscook55

Thanks! If you’re restoring this, how do you get your pictures back? How is that handled?

Reply
1. March 30, 2012
  
  Christopher S. Penn
  
  This is now updated for files and database.
  
  Reply
May 1, 2011

Glamiva

Thanks for sharing this! I’m a wordpress newbie and was searching on how to backup my template. Thank u so much!

Reply
June 22, 2011

Anonymous

Brilliant. Thank you!

Reply
August 13, 2019

Michael Luster

Excellent. Just tried this. Saves as xml file.

Reply
February 26, 2012

Ken Seeroi

Well, that was easy! Thanks!

Reply
March 30, 2012

Christopher S. Penn

This is now updated for files and database.

Reply
March 30, 2012

Christopher S. Penn

This is now updated for files and database.

Reply
May 6, 2012

Luke .

Thank you for this. Very helpful.

Reply
May 31, 2012

Panneer Selvan

Thank You… I searched through google for backup plugin, finally i got it.:D

Reply
July 1, 2012

umain30

I normally use export import plugin for backup.When we can post regularly then we can take a backup daily which needs only a few seconds .So i find it better than any other plugin.

Reply
November 8, 2012

Web Development Company

Great post. I’ve also used Automatic WordPress Backup on a few of my projects and it works really well. It works with Amazon S3. Free plug-in. Easy to set up and you can choose how frequently it backs up. But I’m going to check out some of these others, as well. Thanks!

Reply
November 9, 2012

Sarahlynn Pablo

Hi! I downloaded the plugin .zip file to my computer but have no idea what to do next. I’m not a techie so super plain English would help a lot. Thanks.

Reply
1. July 5, 2013
  
  Shazida Khatun
  
  Sarahlyn@sarahlynnpablo:disqus , It is better to go your Admin panel and search in Add new plugin then install and activate
  
  Reply
January 5, 2013

whatever

never found anything that works, except a C Panel mysql dump. Maybe it is me.

Reply
December 15, 2013

sophia wright

Thanks !

Reply
August 27, 2014

Steph Zhong

Hi there. I want to archive a blog that’s been inactive for awhile. Mainly want to save a version that could be shown in an online portfolio. Does this backup process work for this purpose if I’m planning on sunsetting the blog? BTW, I’m a writer not a developer. I can do HTML, but anything else using tech speak goes over my head. Thanks!

Reply
March 12, 2016

John Crooks

I installed anti spam plug in that you recommended and in the last few days I have no spam in my folder to get rid of. This is great, as I was constantly emptying my spam folder, and now I can devote my time to other things. Thanks so much for the tip. I will be trying others…..

Reply
May 22, 2016

Ron Bray

I was going to mention BackUp Buddy too. You’re right it is premium and it’s well worth the investment. The WP DB Backup one just stopped working for me one day – I didn’t get the emails anymore. Not sure why though.

Reply
December 27, 2016

Roxy Chan

Wow. Great I never knew I could backup my entire site using BackWPUp . Great to hear. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
August 13, 2019

Frieke

sounds easy – but does t his also work on a self hosted word press blog?
Frieke Karlovits

Reply
August 13, 2019

Jennifer

Thank you. I’m curious how I could use the content from the saved file to place on a new blog. Is this also good for backing up the template as well?

Reply