The cPanel Backup Wizard lets you download and restore parts of your account separately: the home directory, individual MySQL databases, and email forwarders and filters. Partial backups are smaller and quicker than a full backup and are ideal before an update or for keeping your own offsite copy of a database.
Before you start
- Open cPanel from MdmHost dashboard → Services.
- Check free disk space. Large home directory backups are built on the server before download.
- For restores, have the backup file on your computer.
Partial backup types
| Backup | Contains | File |
|---|---|---|
| Home directory | All files: websites, mail data, configuration in your home folder | .tar.gz |
| MySQL database | One database's tables and data | .sql.gz |
| Email forwarders | Forwarders for one domain | text file |
| Email filters | User and account-level filters | text file |
Download a partial backup
- Go to cPanel → Files → Backup Wizard.
- Click Back Up.
- Choose Home Directory, MySQL Databases or Email Forwarders & Filters.
- Click the item to download it, for example a database name.
- Store the file somewhere safe outside the server.
Tip: The same downloads are available in cPanel → Files → Backup, which lists every database and domain on one page.
Restore a partial backup
- Go to cPanel → Files → Backup Wizard and click Restore.
- Choose the type: home directory, MySQL database, or email forwarders and filters.
- Click Choose File, select the backup from your computer and click Upload.
- Wait for the confirmation, then test the website or email.
What a restore overwrites
- Home directory: files in the backup replace files with the same name. Files that are not in the backup stay.
- Database: tables in the backup are dropped and recreated, so changes made after the backup are lost.
- Forwarders and filters: entries are added from the file.
Warning: Download a fresh backup of the current state before restoring an older one, so you can go back if needed.
Partial backups vs JetBackup
Backup Wizard files are copies you download and keep yourself, which counts as your offsite copy under the 3-2-1 backup rule. JetBackup restores from MdmHost's daily server backups without any upload. Use both.
Troubleshooting
- Upload fails for a large database: import it with phpMyAdmin in parts, or ask support to import it from a file uploaded to your account.
- Database restore error about the user: the database name must exist with the same prefix. Create it in MySQL Databases first.
- Home directory backup takes long: delete caches and old backups first to reduce size.
Frequently asked questions
Does a home directory backup include databases?
No. Databases are stored separately and need their own backup.
Can I restore a full cPanel backup with the wizard?
No. A full backup must be restored at server level. Ask support or use JetBackup.
How often should I download partial backups?
Before every major change, and on a regular schedule matching how often your content changes.