Duplicator Plugin is a very unique plugin that lets you take WordPress backups with less effort. It is fast than most other plugins. There are two versions, Free and Pro. In this tutorial, we will be using the Free version of Duplicator to backup our sample site. Here are all the steps involved. Not only backing up but restoring a backup is also very easy. The Duplicator plugin is technically a migration plugin that is extremely fast and user-friendly.
Installing Duplicator
Install the Plugin from the WordPress Repo. You can also download the Plugin and upload it manually. Once installed and activated, follow the below important steps and configure it. Duplicator is free for all sites which are under 500MB.
Setting Up Duplicator
Go to Packages Tab, Scroll down to Archives, and Change to the setting shown below. It is always recommended to use this plugin this way.
Once done, move to the Storage Tab and Select ‘Legacy Path‘, so that the Backup File will be saved to the ‘wp-snapshots’ folder in the Home Directory. Other than these 2 settings, leave other options as it is. If you would like to change, just disable ‘.htaccess’ option in the ‘storage’ tab.
Don’t worry about creating a new folder inside the home directory, Duplicator plugin automatically adds a new ‘.htaccess’ file with a rule so that the folder cannot be accessed by others.
Taking Backup
Go to Packages and click on ‘Create New’. In the Installer options, Remember to add a Password to Encrypt the ZIP file.
Tip: If you use your Web Browser to save passwords, the browser will request you whether to save this password or not. If you click on save, it may overwrite the existing admin password. Just be double sure.
Proceed to the next option. i.e., Building Packages. You can also make necessary changes here if in case, your site is large.
If everything goes fine, just proceed with Building Packages.
Duplicator may show you a warning regarding file sizes. You can still proceed. Nothing to worry about. In case you cannot proceed since your file size is too large, here are some workarounds.
The large file size is generally due to uploaded videos or extra-large images. What you can do is, save a copy of your ‘Uploads’ folder on your PC separately.
In the duplicator scan page, go to size checks and select the folder which you don’t want to backup. i.e( Uploads folder). Rescan the backup, and you are good to go. OR, you can buy their awesome pro version, which also has more benefits than the free version.
Once the restoration of backup is completed, add the contents of the ‘Uploads’ folder ‘as it is‘ back to the ‘File Manager’ of your hosting. Until then your restored site may look broken without any media.
Always replace folders exactly as in the original installation. OR else, your site won’t reflect images. Because WordPress has already entered the location of its media in the database file. It should match.
Storing Backup
Once Backup is completed, download both the files shown to your PC. One is the installer PHP file and the other is the ZIP File. Keep them in a safe place or you can upload them to your Cloud Storage for future access.
Dy default backups are stored inside of WordPress home directory either in the ‘wp-snapshots‘ folder or, inside ‘wp-content/backups-dup-lite’. It will be always staying there unless you delete it from the Duplicator Dashboard. Also, download the backup to your PC too. If something goes wrong with your hosting, you can upload those files manually to any hosting. Either old or new, same domain or different domain. You are in 100% full freedom if you have the backup in hand.
The benefit of using Duplicator for Backup is that it is not required for you to install a brand new WordPress as some other plugins follow. All in one WP Migration follows this method.
Now let’s learn how to restore backup created using duplicator by following with this article on How to Restore WordPress Backup with Duplicator Plugin.