Regular backups protect your website, email, and databases from data loss due to hacking, plugin conflicts, or accidental deletion. We recommend backing up your DirectAdmin account **periodically** — and downloading a copy to your own computer for extra safety.

How to Create a Backup in DirectAdmin #

1. Log in to your DirectAdmin control panel by accessing https://yourdomain:2222
2. Look for the Backup and Restore option (under Advanced Features).
3. Select the items you want to include in the backup (email accounts, email data, FTP accounts, databases, etc. — see full list below).
4. Click Create Backup.  You’ll see “Backup creation added to queue,” and receive a DirectAdmin Message System notification titled “Your backups are now ready“ once it’s done.
5. The backup archive will appear in your domain’s `/backups/` directory (e.g., `backup-Jun-18-2026-1.tar.gz`).)

To save a copy locally: connect via FTP and download the `.tar.gz` file from `/backups/` to your computer, or use DirectAdmin’s File Manager to download it directly through your browser.

How to Restore a Backup in DirectAdmin #

Before you restore: Restoring a backup will overwrite existing data for > the items you select. If you’re unsure, create a fresh backup first so you > can roll back if needed.

1. Log in to your DirectAdmin control panel by accessing https://yourdomain:2222
2. Look for the Backup and Restore option (under Advanced Features)
3. Click the Restore Backup button (upper right corner)
4. Select a backup archive from the drop-down list
5. Click the Select Restore button
6. Select the things you want to restore (like email accounts, email data, etc)
7. Click the Restore button. When done, you will see a confirmation message: Restore Complete

What Gets Backed Up / Restored #

Website Data

• • Domains Directory: Backs up all user files for all domains
  • Subdomain Lists: Backs up the list of subdomains for each domain

E-Mail

• • E-Mail Accounts: List for all domains (names and passwords)
  • E-Mail Data: Includes the messages from the Inbox, IMAP Folders, and webmail data
  • E-Mail Settings: Includes the filters and the catch-all address
  • Forwarders: Includes all forwarding addresses
  • Autoresponders: Includes all autoresponders and messages
  • Vacation Messages: Includes all vacation messages and times
  • Mailing Lists: Includes the list, digest-list, and archives

FTP

• • FTP Accounts
  • FTP Settings

Databases

• • Database Settings: Backs up all DB Users and DB Settings
  • Database Data: If ‘Databases’ is selected, include the actual DB data