How to create a Joomla backup

A Joomla backup means you’ll always be protected against data loss. You can choose to have your project backed up directly by your provider or create the backups manually with or without a plugin. So what are these options, and how do you go about creating a Joomla backup?

By regularly backing up your Joomla installation files and user data, you can protect yourself against data loss. Without a Joomla backup, your website could be damaged for any number of reasons, meaning that you’d have to completely rebuild the pages and content.

One of the most common reasons for a Joomla installation not working properly anymore is a faulty Joomla extension. It is not so much that an installed extension does not run, but that the extension makes it impossible to use the backend. If you create a Joomla backup before each plugin installation, you can immediately undo this step and thus regain access to the administration interface.

Another common reason Joomla or your website may not run as you’d like anymore is because of human errors. For example, you may accidentally delete important files. Maybe you can’t get this error fixed despite all your best attempts. Re-installation or hiring experts to rescue the project are the only options if you don’t have a Joomla backup. The same applies if your Joomla website is infected with malware.

Whether it’s your own fault or external influence, a defective plugin or an update error, the causes listed for a Joomla project that no longer functions are manifold. Therefore, play it safe by creating a Joomla backup regularly and especially before all important updates.

There are three main options available to you:

1. Joomla backup with your hosting provider: The provider automatically creates backups of your Joomla project, which you can download and import at any time. So the backup itself means no effort for you, but also costs.
    
2. Joomla backup via plugin: There are various free and paid plugins that can be used to create a Joomla backup. You install and configure the extension conveniently via the backend and then receive backups at desired intervals in the desired storage directory.
    
3. Manual Joomla backup: The most elaborate, but safest variant is a manual Joomla backup. You back up all folders and files that are in your online storage (via FTP access) and export the database(s) locally or in the cloud.

The following table summarizes the pros and cons of the three variants.

The three options for backing up your Joomla project come with their own advantages and disadvantages. However, all three options ensure that you are well prepared in case of an emergency. The backup copies should be made regularly and before any important changes to your site of Joomla itself, such as a Joomla update. Read the instructions below to find out what to do in each case.

Many providers automatically create backups of customers’ web projects. As a rule, you do not need to activate this service. Find out in advance whether such a service is part of the purchased plan, at what regularity the backups are created and how long backups are stored (usually for a few days).

You’ll only need to take action when you need one of the Joomla backups to restore an old state of your project.

With IONOS, follow these steps to restore the files and folders from your online storage:

1. Log in to the IONOS Cloud Panel on the login page.
2. Select the “Hosting” category.
3. Click on the gear icon in the “Webspace” category and then click on the “File Recovery” menu item.
4. Now select one of the available restore points and confirm with “Select”.
5. Add all the folders or files you want to restore by clicking the “Add” button. Finally, click on “Restore all”.
6. Afterwards the Joomla backup will be uploaded, which takes some time. Once the restore is complete, you will receive a notification email.

If you need one of the downloaded backups to restore an old state of your Joomla website, extract the backup copy directly to your server using Kickstart. You can find the latest version of the tool in the Download section of the Akeeba website.

If you want to restore the exported database later, go to the “Import” tab in phpMyAdmin and specify the location of the previously downloaded file.