How to Backup and Restore Applications Using Softaculous

Introduction

Creating and maintaining regular backups is the most crucial measure you can take to safeguard your website against data loss, hacking attempts, or failed updates. The Softaculous Apps Installer in your BigCloudy Hosting Control Panel makes this process simple and reliable.

How to Access Softaculous in the BigCloudy Hosting Control Panel (cPanel):

Step 1: Log In to Your BigCloudy Account

Log in to your Bigcloudy account
Enter your email and password, then click Sign In.
From the main dashboard, select services
Click on login to cpanel

The Importance of Manual Backups

While BigCloudy Hosting may offer daily server-level backups, using Softaculous to create a manual or automated application-level backup offers several advantages:

Granular Control: You decide precisely when the backup is taken and what is included (files, database, or both).
Pre-Update Safety Net: It is mandatory to take a backup before attempting any major theme, plugin, or core application updates.
Easy Restoration: Softaculous allows for single-click restoration directly to your live site, saving critical time during emergencies.

Backing Up an Existing Application

Follow these steps to manually generate a complete backup of your application and its database.

Step 1: Access Softaculous Apps Installer

Log in to your BigCloudy Hosting Control Panel.
Navigate to the Software section.
Click the Softaculous Apps Installer icon to open the Softaculous dashboard.

Step 2: Navigate to Installations

In the Softaculous interface, click the Installations icon (it looks like a server rack or box) in the top navigation bar.
A list of all applications installed on your account will appear.
Locate the application you wish to back up (e.g., your WordPress site).

Step 3: Configure Backup Options

On the Backup Installation screen, you can specify exactly what you want to save:

Option	Description	Recommendation
Backup Directory	Check this box to include all files and folders associated with the application.	Checked (Highly Recommended)
Backup Database	Check this box to include the application’s database (where all content, settings, and user data are stored).	Checked (Mandatory)
Backup Note (Optional)	Use this field to add a descriptive note (e.g., “Pre-Update Backup 2024-10-25”).	Use to track major events.

Step 4: Finalize the Backup

After selecting your options (ensure both Backup Directory and Backup Database are checked for a full backup), click the blue Backup Installation button.
Softaculous will process the backup. A progress bar may appear. Do not navigate away from the page until the process is complete.
A success message will confirm: “The Backup was created successfully.”
An email notification will also be sent to your administrative email address containing the backup details.

2. Restoring an Application from a Backup

Restoring a backup will revert your application files and database to the exact state they were in when the backup was created.

Step 1: Navigate to Backups and Restores

In the main Softaculous dashboard, click the Backups and Restore icon (it often looks like a clock or a rewind button) in the top navigation bar.
A list of all manual and automatic backups available for your applications will be displayed.

Step 2: Select the Backup to Restore

Identify the backup you wish to restore, referencing the application name and the timestamp/note.
Click the Restore icon (a curved arrow or restore icon) next to the selected backup entry.

Step 3: Configure the Restore Operation

On the Restore Installation page, you will confirm the components to restore.

Option	Description	Recommendation
Restore Directory	Check this box to restore all backed-up files and folders.	Checked (Always restore files)
Restore Database	Check this box to restore the database contents.	Checked (Always restore database)
Disable Update Notifications	This temporarily disables notifications during the restore.	Leave this unchecked unless instructed otherwise by support.

Step 4: Initiate the Restore

Confirm your selections and click the blue Restore Installation button.
A final confirmation box will appear. Click OK to proceed.
The restoration process may take several minutes. Once complete, a success message will be displayed: “The Installation was restored successfully.”
Your website is now reverted to the state of the selected backup.

3. Best Practices for Backups

Set up Automated Backups

For peace of mind, ensure Softaculous is configured to take automated backups:

Go to Installations and click Edit Details (pencil icon) for your application.
Scroll down to the Automated Backups section.
Set Backup Frequency to Once a Day or Once a Week.
Set Backup Rotation to a reasonable number (e.g., 4) so the oldest backup is automatically deleted when a new one is created.

Backup Location and Storage

By default, Softaculous stores backups on your BigCloudy hosting account’s disk space.

Important: Backups consume disk space. If you have limited storage, consider downloading the generated backup archives (found in the Backups and Restore section) to your local computer and then deleting them from the server. This frees up disk space while keeping your data safe offline.

Conclusion

Backing up your applications using Softaculous is a straightforward and essential practice for any website owner. By following the steps outlined in this guide—whether creating manual backups or setting up automated backup schedules—you can ensure that your applications and data are protected against unforeseen events. The combination of regular automated backups and periodic manual backups provides a comprehensive safety net for your digital assets.

Need Help?

If you face any issues updating your nameservers or need further assistance, our support team is always available:

Email: support@bigcloudy.com
Submit a support ticket

FAQ

How often should I backup my applications?

It depends on how frequently your application content changes. For high-traffic websites with daily updates, daily backups are recommended. For less frequently updated sites, weekly backups may suffice. Critical applications should have daily automated backups enabled.

Can I restore only specific files from a backup, or must I restore the entire application?

Softaculous allows you to restore the entire application. If you need to restore specific files, you may need to manually extract them from the backup archive using a file manager or FTP client.

What happens if a backup fails?

Check the backup logs in the Softaculous dashboard for error messages. Common issues include insufficient disk space, database connection problems, or file permission issues. Ensure you have adequate storage and database access permissions before attempting another backup.

How much disk space do backups consume?

Backup size depends on your application size and database. A typical WordPress installation with a small database might consume 50MB to 500MB per backup, while larger sites could require several gigabytes.

Can I backup applications outside of Softaculous?

Yes, you can use cPanel’s Backup Wizard or manual FTP backups, but Softaculous provides the most convenient one-click backup and restore functionality.