Every hosting account on Instant Access Internet Services servers is backed up automatically -- you don't have to set anything up. This guide explains how website backups work on your hosting account: what JetBackup 5 saves, how often, how long we keep it, and how you can restore or download a backup yourself from cPanel.
Backup schedule and retention
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How often are backups taken? | Three times a week, automatically. |
| How many are kept? | The most recent 7 backups -- roughly two weeks of history. |
| Where are they stored? | Off the server, in separate cloud storage. A problem with the server or your account doesn't affect them. |
| Who can restore them? | You can, any time, from JetBackup 5 in cPanel. We can help too. |
Because only the last 7 backups are kept, older ones roll off as new ones are made. If you notice a problem, act quickly -- a file deleted three weeks ago is no longer in any backup.
What's included in each backup
- Home Directory -- all your files, including your website in
public_html. - Databases and Database Users -- MySQL databases such as your WordPress database.
- Email Accounts -- mailboxes and their messages.
- FTP Accounts, Cron Jobs, DNS Zones and SSL Certificates.
You can restore everything at once or pick out just one item, such as a single file, one database or one mailbox.
How to open JetBackup 5
- Log in to cPanel (from the client area: Services > My Services, choose your plan, then Log in to cPanel).
- Go to Files > JetBackup 5.
- The first time, you'll see the terms and privacy policy. Tick the I Agree boxes and click Continue to Panel.
The JetBackup dashboard has quick links for each type of backup (Full Backups, Home Directory, Databases, Email Accounts and so on). The left menu has:
- Dashboard -- overview and quick links.
- Restore & Download -- choose a backup date and restore or download items.
- Downloads -- finished backup downloads, ready to save to your computer.
- Alerts -- messages about backup jobs on your account.
- Queue -- the progress of restores and downloads you've started.
How restoring works
Restores and downloads don't happen instantly. When you click Restore Selected Items or Download Selected Items, the job joins a queue and runs in the background. Watch it on the Queue page until it says Completed. Small restores take a minute or two; a full account with lots of email can take much longer.
When you restore, you can usually choose to merge the backup with what's on your account now. Merging keeps your current data and fills in what's missing, which is ideal for recovering deleted emails or files. Without merging, the restored items are put back exactly as they were on the backup date.
Extra protection for WordPress sites
JetBackup's schedule is great for disaster recovery, but for day-to-day safety make your own backup right before risky changes. WP Toolkit (Domains > WordPress Management) can make an instant backup of a WordPress site before you update plugins, change themes or edit code. It's also smart to download a copy of your site now and then and keep it on your own computer.
Common questions
Can I change the backup schedule or keep backups longer?
The schedule and retention are the same for all standard plans. If you need longer history, download copies regularly or open a ticket to ask about options.
Where are cPanel's Backup and Backup Wizard tools?
They aren't included on standard plans. JetBackup 5 replaces them and does the same job, with more restore options.
I can't find the date I want
Only the last 7 backups are kept. If the date you need has rolled off, it can't be restored. Check any copies you downloaded yourself.
Do backups count against my disk space?
No. Scheduled backups are stored off the server, not in your account.
Related guides
- How to Restore a File or Folder with JetBackup 5
- How to Restore a MySQL Database with JetBackup 5
- How to Restore an Email Account with JetBackup 5
- How to Restore Your Whole Account to an Earlier Date (JetBackup 5)
- How to Download a Copy of Your Website Backup (JetBackup 5)
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and the Instant Access Internet Services team will help.
