Title here
Summary here
Simple Backups
No cloud accounts, no subscriptions, no complex setup. Simple Backups lets you download your WordPress components as ZIP files — plugins, themes, uploads, and database. Click, download, done.
Use Cases
- Quick backup before updating WordPress or plugins
- Download database before making major changes
- Export plugins/themes for use on another site
- Create development snapshots
What You Can Backup
| Component | Contents |
|---|---|
| Plugins | All files in wp-content/plugins/ |
| Themes | All files in wp-content/themes/ |
| Uploads | All files in wp-content/uploads/ |
| Database | SQL dump of your WordPress database |
Using Simple Backups
In the module settings panel:
- View size estimates for each component
- Click Download for the component you want
- ZIP file is generated
- Download starts automatically
- ZIP auto-deleted from server after 24 hours
Backup Types
Plugins Backup
Downloads all installed plugins:
- Active and inactive plugins
- Plugin files only (not database settings)
- Use for migration or reinstallation
Themes Backup
Downloads all installed themes:
- Active and inactive themes
- Child themes included
- Theme customization files
Uploads Backup
Downloads your entire media library:
- All uploaded images, documents, videos
- Year/month folder structure preserved
- All thumbnail sizes included
For very large media libraries, consider using the Download Media Library module which offers month-by-month downloads.
Database Backup
Creates SQL dump of your database:
- All WordPress tables
- Posts, pages, comments
- Options, user data
- Plugin/theme settings
The SQL file can be imported via phpMyAdmin or WP-CLI.
Technical Details
ZIP Generation
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Method | PHP ZipArchive |
| Storage | wp-content/uploads/switchboard-downloads/ |
| Expiry | 24 hours |
| Database | Native SQL dump format |
Security
- Table names sanitized before SQL generation
- Column names validated
- Files stored with unique, non-guessable names
- Auto-cleanup prevents storage accumulation
Database Export
The database export:
- Includes CREATE TABLE statements
- Uses INSERT statements for data
- Handles large tables in batches
- Compatible with standard MySQL import
Existing Backups
View previously generated backups:
- File name and size
- Creation timestamp
- Download or delete buttons
Limitations
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Timeout | PHP max_execution_time |
| Memory | PHP memory_limit |
| File Size | Server/browser limits |
For very large sites, consider:
- Downloading components separately
- Using server-side backup tools
- Command-line alternatives (WP-CLI)
FAQ
How is this different from Download Media Library?
Download Media Library offers month-by-month media downloads. Simple Backups downloads the entire uploads folder at once, plus plugins, themes, and database.Can I schedule automatic backups?
This module is for on-demand downloads. For scheduled backups, use a dedicated backup plugin or host-level backup service.Will the database backup include my content?
Yes. The SQL dump includes all posts, pages, comments, options, and user data — everything stored in your WordPress database.How do I restore from these backups?
- Plugins/Themes: Upload ZIP via admin or extract via FTP
- Uploads: Extract to
wp-content/uploads/via FTP - Database: Import SQL file via phpMyAdmin or WP-CLI
Why did my backup fail?
Large sites may hit PHP timeout limits. Try downloading components individually. Contact your host about increasingmax_execution_time for large backups.Download a database backup before making significant changes. It’s the fastest restore option if something goes wrong — just import the SQL file.
PRO
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Get access to all 166 modules with a single license
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