Understanding UpdraftPlus Backup/Restore

Imagine your website crashing or getting hacked, and you’re scrambling to figure out how to restore your data. You’re sweating bullets because you’ve never really gotten the hang of that backup plugin, UpdraftPlus Backup/Restore, you installed. In our UpdraftPlus review, we explore its features and limitations to help users understand its capabilities

For many website owners, this scenario is a recurring nightmare. The fear of losing vital data and not knowing if you can recover it efficiently is like trying to fix a leaky faucet with a piece of string—utterly frustrating and stressful.

Thankfully, there’s a light at the end of this tunnel. Whether you’re an UpdraftPlus user attempting to recover from a data issue, or exploring backup plugins to find the perfect fit, this guide will help you manage your website’s backup needs effectively.

TLDR: UpdraftPlus offers useful backup and restore features but it is an incomplete suite. BlogVault is a great alternative because it offers real-time incremental backups, one-click restores, and more.

Creating backups with UpdraftPlus 

Regular backups are essential for protecting your website’s data from unexpected failures, hacks, or accidental deletions. By creating backups, you ensure that you can restore your site to a previous state in case of any issues. Here are the steps to create backups using UpdraftPlus.

Step 1: Navigate to your backup/restore tab

From the settings, head back to the Backup/Restore section and then click on the Backup/Restore tab. 

Step 2: Start the backup process

Find and click on the Backup Now button. You’ll be presented with the choice to back up only your database, only your files, or both. Once you’ve decided, click the Backup Now button again to start the process.

Note: Instead of having one comprehensive backup, UpdraftPlus separates your website backup into five different categories: the database, plugins, themes, uploads, and other areas.

Ensuring your website’s data is backed up can prevent significant issues down the line. Following these steps with UpdraftPlus will help you maintain regular backups.

Storing backups manually

UpdraftPlus stores your backups on your site’s server or on different cloud storage locations. If you want an added layer of safety beyond that, you can store your backups offsite manually instead of using UpdraftPlus to do so. Here’s how to go about it:

Step 1: Access your existing backups

Within the Backup/Restore section, scroll down to the bottom to find all your backups under the Existing Backups section. Once the backup has been created, you can download them from here. 

Step 2: Start the download process

Click on the file you want to download (e.g., Plugins). A new section will appear at the top with the options: Download to your computer, Delete from web server, or Browse contents. Click on Download to your computer.

Just a heads-up: the database will be downloaded in a GZ format, while the rest of your files will be neatly saved in ZIP formats.

Restore backups with UpdraftPlus

If your website encounters problems such as crashes or deletions, restoring from a backup is crucial. UpdraftPlus includes an option for data restoration. Here’s how to restore your site using UpdraftPlus:

Step 1: Navigate to existing backups

Within the Existing Backups section, look under Actions and find the button that says Restore. Click on it to start restoring your site.

Step 2: Choose components to restore

You’ll now need to choose the components to restore. Whether it’s a full-site backup or a partial one, you’ll have to check those boxes and click on Next.

Pro tip: We do not recommend partial backups. They’re more likely to fail because they only cover certain parts of your website. If you ever need to restore your entire site, crucial components may be missing, leading to an incomplete restoration.

Step 3: Start the restore process

After making your selections, click on the Restore button and let the process begin. Depending on the size of your file, this might take a few moments.Keep in mind that issues such as Error 500 can occur during the restoration, which may require troubleshooting. You might also encounter Restore Error 524 or Error 504, which typically indicate server timeouts. Ensuring your server resources are adequate can help mitigate these errors.

Manually restoring backups

If you prefer restoring your site manually, UpdraftPlus has a feature that allows you to upload your backup files stored offsite. Here’s how to go about it:

Step 1: Navigate to existing backups:

You can manually upload downloaded backups to UpdraftPlus if you need to restore a file you’ve stored elsewhere. Find the Upload Backup Files under More Tasks and click on it. 

Step 2: Select your file

You can either drag and drop the ZIP or GZ file or upload them by clicking on the Select Files button. 

Note: You can only upload backups created by UpdraftPlus. If you’re trying to upload a backup generated by another source, you’ll need to opt for the premium version of the plugin.

Downsides of UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus gets a lot of love for offering free backups, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Here’s where it falls short:

Limited free features

Everyone raves about UpdraftPlus because of its free backups, but that’s pretty much all you get—basic backup capabilities unless you upgrade to the premium version. BlogVault on the other hand offers multiple features some of them being: an emergency connector to restore fully crashed sites, test restores, and more!

Performance issues with large sites

For large sites, the backup process was not entirely smooth. We had error messages like, “A very large file was encountered,” making the experience less than ideal. BlogVault, on the other hand, is designed for larger sites as well. It will take reliable backups no matter what.

Local storage risks

Your backups are stored on your hosting server within a folder called “UpdraftPlus” in the wp-content directory. You can lose access to your backup files in the event that your hosting provider experiences a problem, like a server breakdown or crash.

Note: We always recommend storing in multiple locations so you always have a Plan A and B. Better safe than sorry. BlogVault does this for you automatically with unlimited offsite storage. 

Storage limitations

In the free version of UpdraftPlus, you can only add one remote destination. The premium version, however, allows for multiple storage destinations and includes 1GB of UpdraftPlus Vault storage, the destinations being: Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3. If you need more storage within UpdraftPlus Vault, options range from 5GB to 250GB of backup space. Note that after a year, you will have to pay for each storage location separately.

Note that backups stored on servers take up server resources and slow your site down. So, if you’re doing this, we recommend you take backups when you have low traffic.

Inflexible backup management

Backups are saved under Existing backups and are marked by date and time of creation. There is no way to rename the backups or add notes about their contents for better identification. This is important when you take backups on demand. Let’s say you’re taking a backup before a plugin update. You may want to name it accordingly so you have something to revert to if the update fails. 

No external dashboard

The plugin lacks an external dashboard, so if you lose access to your admin panel, you also lose access to your backups. We’ve relied on BlogVault’s external dashboard many times before. We’ve lost access to our admin panel from an over-zealous 2FA plugin that locked us out. In that scenario, we were grateful for an external dashboard that we could use to undo the plugin install with a restore. This is something you should consider when it comes to choosing a backup plugin.

Multiple-site headaches

If you manage multiple sites, you’ll need to go through the tedious process of logging into each admin panel individually to use or access the UpdraftPlus dashboard.

Note: Managing multiple sites and their backups can be much more seamless with a single, centralized dashboard—something UpdraftPlus lacks unless you install an additional plugin which is extra work. This makes UpdraftPlus less ideal for developers, agencies, and anyone managing several websites.

Poor user experience

Despite a short tutorial on navigating through the plugin dashboard, UpdraftPlus isn’t particularly user-friendly. Its interface looks very similar to the WordPress admin dashboard, which can be confusing for a beginner.

Security features

While UpdraftPlus focuses mainly on backups, other solutions like BlogVault offer extensive security features such as malware scanning, automatic cleanup, and firewall options, providing an added layer of protection for your site.

So, while UpdraftPlus has its strengths, it also has several drawbacks that may make you think twice before considering it as your primary backup solution.

The best alternative to UpdraftPlus (RECOMMENDED)

If you’re looking for a backup plugin that’s simple to use and doesn’t hit you with additional costs, BlogVault should be on your radar. Its intuitive and user-friendly interface allows you to manage backups seamlessly. Don’t believe us? See for yourself!

One significant advantage BlogVault offers is its external dashboard. In situations where you lose access to your WordPress admin panel, you can restore your site with just a few clicks. This feature alone is worth considering BlogVault when choosing a backup plugin.

While UpdraftPlus is a popular WordPress backup plugin with many useful settings, it only really works for small sites. We’ve seen large site restores fail consistently. Additionally, the free price tag is good to a certain point; never store backups on the site server—whatever happens to the site server will take the backup along with it.  

Parting thoughts

While UpdraftPlus Premium has a bunch of features for backing up and restoring your WordPress site, the extra setup, in the beginning, can make it feel like a tedious chore.

That’s where BlogVault comes in. BlogVault is a breath of fresh air with its hassle-free, reliable backup and restore solution, eliminating the extra hassle.

With BlogVault, you get real-time incremental backups, one-click restores, and automated migrations. Plus, it includes built-in security and excellent support, ensuring your website’s data is always protected and recoverable with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for a more straightforward and easy-to-manage alternative, give BlogVault a try. It’s the no-nonsense solution your website has been waiting for.

FAQs

How do I restore my UpdraftPlus backup?

To restore your UpdraftPlus backup, navigate to the Existing Backups section under the plugin. Find the backup you want to restore and click on the Restore button. Select the components you want to restore, then click Restore again to start the process.

How do I download an UpdraftPlus backup to my computer?

To download an UpdraftPlus backup to your computer, go to the Existing Backups section within the plugin. Click on the individual components (e.g., Database, Plugins, Themes, Uploads) you want to download. A new section will appear where you can choose to download the files to your computer.

What does UpdraftPlus backup?

UpdraftPlus backs up your entire website, including the database, plugins, themes, uploads, and other content. It breaks these into five different categories to ensure a comprehensive backup of all your website data.

How do I delete old backups from UpdraftPlus?

To delete old backups, go to the Existing Backups section in the UpdraftPlus plugin. Locate the backup you wish to delete and click on the Delete option to remove it from your server.

Why is my UpdraftPlus backup taking so long?

UpdraftPlus backups can take a long time if you have a large site with many files and a vast database. It may also be slow due to server performance issues or limited resources. Consider using a different backup plugin like BlogVault breaking your backup into smaller parts or upgrading your server resources if this issue persists.