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Whether you're about to update a plugin, switch themes, or just want peace of mind, DirectAdmin's Backup/Transfer tool makes it simple to snapshot your entire account.
1. Open Backup/Transfer
From the main menu, click Backup/Transfer under the Account Manager section.
2. Create a manual backup
Select Create Backup, then choose whether to include your website's files, databases, and email — or all three for a complete snapshot. Do this before any major change.
3. Choose where the backup is stored
DirectAdmin can save the backup to your hosting account, or you can select a remote destination if one has been configured, such as FTP or a cloud storage location.
4. Schedule automatic backups
Some DirectAdmin plans include a scheduled backup option under the same menu — set a daily or weekly interval so you're never relying on remembering to do it manually.
Key takeaway: Keep at least one backup copy off your hosting account entirely — a remote storage location protects you even in the rare case your whole account needs restoring.
5. Download a backup locally
Once a backup finishes, download the resulting file directly to your computer — useful before migrating to a new host or plan.
6. Restore from a backup
If something goes wrong, use the Restore option in the same tool, upload or select your backup file, and DirectAdmin will restore the selected content.
7. Keep backups tidy
Old backup files take up disk space. Periodically remove backups you no longer need from the File Manager's backup folder to free up storage.