MdmHost already backs up your account every day with JetBackup, but sometimes you want your own copy: before a big change, to archive a finished project, or to move to another server. cPanel's Backup tool creates a full account archive or smaller partial backups you can download straight away.
Before you start
- Check free space: a full backup is stored in your home directory before you download it and needs roughly as much room as your files, mail and databases. See Disk Usage.
- For restoring a single file or database from our daily copies, JetBackup 5 is faster.
Full backup vs partial backups
| Type | Contains | Restore with |
|---|---|---|
| Full Backup | Everything: files, databases, email, DNS zones, SSL, settings | Only a server administrator (WHM Restore). Ideal for moving to another cPanel host. |
| Home Directory | All files in /home/user incl. public_html and mail folders | You, in Backup → Restore a Home Directory Backup |
| MySQL Databases | One .sql.gz per database | You, in Backup → Restore a MySQL Database Backup |
| Email Forwarders / Filters | Forwarder and filter rules for a domain | You, in Backup → Restore … |
Generate a full backup
- Open cPanel → Files → Backup.
- Under Full Backup, click Download a Full Account Backup.
- Backup Destination: Home Directory (download it from cPanel afterwards). Remote FTP/SCP destinations are also available if you have another server.
- Enter an Email Address to be notified when it is ready, or choose not to receive a notice.
- Click Generate Backup. Large accounts can take a while.
- When finished, return to the Backup page. The file appears under Backups Available for Download as
backup-11.13.2026_10-30-00_cpuser.tar.gz. Click it to download.
Warning: After downloading, delete the archive from your home directory with File Manager. Left on the account, it uses your disk quota and is a copy of all your data.
Download partial backups
On the same page under Partial Backups:
- Click Home Directory to download a
.tar.gzof your files immediately. - Click a database name under Download a MySQL Database Backup.
- Click a domain under Download Email Forwarders or Download Email Filters.
Restore a partial backup
- On the Backup page, under Restore a Home Directory Backup, click Choose File, select the
.tar.gzand click Upload. Files with the same names are overwritten. - For a database, use Restore a MySQL Database Backup with the
.sql.gzfile. The database must not be in use by a critical process at that moment.
Uploads through the browser are limited in size. For very large archives, upload by FTP and ask support to restore, or use JetBackup.
Backup Wizard
cPanel → Files → Backup Wizard walks through the same options in steps (Back Up / Restore → Full or Partial). Use it if you prefer guidance.
Troubleshooting
- Backup never finishes: the account is over quota. Free space first.
- Download fails part way: use FTP to download the file from your home directory.
- Moving to MdmHost from another host: send us the full backup or the old cPanel login; our team usually migrates accounts for you. Open a ticket.