Backups in aaPanel-websites and databases

aaPanel includes built-in backup tools for website files and databases on your VPS or dedicated server. Scheduled tasks handle routine backups automatically. Always store copies off-server, because backups kept only on the same server are not a complete protection strategy if the server disk, account, or operating system is damaged.

Backup overview

aaPanel manages two types of backups:

• Website backups-compressed archives of the site's document root directory
• Database backups-SQL dumps of MySQL databases

Both can be created manually on demand or scheduled automatically via the Cron Jobs section. Backup files are stored in a configurable backup directory on the server (default: /www/backup/).

UnderHost also provides daily off-site backup protection on many shared hosting and cloud VPS plans, and dedicated backup solutions are available for larger environments. Treat those service-level backups as an extra safety net, not a replacement for your own tested export and restore process.

Back up website files

Manual backup via aaPanel:

1. Go to aaPanel → Website
2. Click on the site name
3. Click the Backup tab
4. Click Backup site and confirm

aaPanel creates a compressed archive of the site's files in /www/backup/. The backup appears in the list with a timestamp. Click the download icon to save it to your computer.

Back up databases

Manual database backup via aaPanel:

1. Go to aaPanel → Database
2. Find the database in the list
3. Click the backup icon (or the Backup button)

The SQL dump is stored in /www/backup/ and listed in the database backup list. Click the download icon to save a copy.

Via SSH for large databases:

mysqldump -u DB_USER -p DB_NAME | gzip > /www/backup/db-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M).sql.gz

Schedule automatic backups

aaPanel's Cron Jobs section includes dedicated backup task types:

1. Go to aaPanel → Cron Jobs
2. Click Add task
3. Set Task type to either Backup site or Backup database
4. Select the site or database to back up
5. Set the backup path (default /www/backup/ or another drive/folder)
6. Set Save the last X backups-e.g., 7 keeps one week of daily backups
7. Set the schedule (e.g., daily at 3am: Hour task, 3am)
8. Click Add task

Download backups off-server

Backups stored only on the server offer limited protection. Download them regularly:

• Via aaPanel interface: Backup list → click the download icon next to each backup
• Via FTP/SFTP: Connect with FileZilla, navigate to /www/backup/, and download the archive files
• Automated off-server sync: Use rclone to sync the backup folder to cloud storage (S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive):

rclone sync /www/backup/ remote:my-vps-backups --min-age 1h

Schedule this with a daily cron job to run after your backup tasks complete.

If you need managed backup storage, longer retention, or help validating a restore plan, open an UnderHost support ticket from CustomerPanel and include your service ID, desired retention period, and approximate backup size.

Restore from a backup

Restore website files:

1. If the backup file is on the server: aaPanel → Website → site → Backup → click Restore next to the backup
2. If you have an archive from off-server: upload it via FTP/SFTP to /www/backup/, then use the Restore button
3. Or extract manually via SSH: tar -xzf site-backup.tar.gz -C /www/wwwroot/yourdomain.com/

Restore a database:

1. aaPanel → Database → find the DB → click the restore icon and select the backup
2. Or via SSH: mysql -u DB_USER -p DB_NAME < backup.sql
3. Or via phpMyAdmin: select the database → Import → upload the SQL file

Related: aaPanel databases | aaPanel cron jobs | Backup best practices | Restore from backup

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