Keeping your own copy of your website backup is smart insurance, and it's the easy way to take your site with you if you ever move. This guide shows how to download a website backup from JetBackup 5 in cPanel -- either the whole account or just the parts you need, such as your files or one database.
How backup downloads work
JetBackup 5 doesn't hand you a file instantly. When you ask for a download, it builds a compressed archive (a .tar.gz file) in the background. When that job finishes, the file appears under Downloads and you save it to your computer. Small sites take a minute or two; large sites with lots of email can take much longer.
Your account is backed up automatically three times a week and the latest 7 backups are kept, so you can download from any date in roughly the last two weeks.
Note: cPanel's own Backup and Backup Wizard tools aren't included on standard plans. JetBackup 5 is where backups live on Instant Access Internet Services servers.
How to download a full account backup
- Log in to cPanel and open JetBackup 5 (in the Files section, or type "JetBackup" in the cPanel search bar).
- If this is your first visit, read the terms, tick the I Agree boxes and click Continue to Panel.
- Click Restore & Download in the left menu, then open the Full Account tab (on the dashboard you can also click Full Backups).
- Pick the backup date you want from the list. The newest is at the top.
- Click Download.
- Review the list of items to include. Everything in the backup is included by default -- files, databases, email, and so on. To leave something out (for example, very large email folders), click Remove items under that category.
- Click Download Selected Items. The job is added to the queue.
- Click Queue in the left menu to watch its progress. Wait until the status says Completed.
- Click Downloads in the left menu. Find your file (named like
download_XXX_XXX.tar.gz) and click the download button next to it to save it to your computer.
How to download just your files or a database
If you only need part of the site, it's quicker to download that part on its own:
- Website files: in Restore & Download, open the Home Directory tab and choose a backup. To pick particular folders (such as
public_html), click Change Files Selection, tick them, and click Select Files. Then click Download and Download Selected Items. - A database: open the Databases tab, tick the database, and click Download. To get an older copy, use Choose Other Backup first. Inside the download is a database dump (an
.sqlfile, which may itself be compressed) that you can import with phpMyAdmin. - An email account: open the Email Accounts tab, tick the mailbox and click Download.
Then follow the same Queue and Downloads steps as above.
Opening the backup file
A .tar.gz file is a compressed archive, like a ZIP. On a Mac, double-click it. On Windows 10 and 11, you can open it with the built-in tar command or a free tool such as 7-Zip. Inside you'll find folders for the parts you chose, such as your home directory files, database dumps and mail folders.
Keep the file somewhere safe -- it contains your database passwords, customer data and email. Don't leave it in a public folder or email it around.
Common questions
How long does the download stay available?
Generated downloads aren't kept forever. Save the file to your computer as soon as it's ready, and generate a new one if the old one has gone.
The download is stuck on "Processing"
Large accounts, especially with lots of email, take time. Leave it for an hour. If it fails or never finishes, try downloading just your files and databases separately, or open a ticket.
Can I get a backup from today instead of the last scheduled one?
Downloads come from the scheduled backups. If your JetBackup dashboard shows a Create Backup On Demand option you can use it to make a fresh snapshot first; if not, open a ticket and we can help. For a WordPress site, you can also make an instant backup in WP Toolkit.
Can I upload this file to another host?
Many cPanel hosts can restore a JetBackup download, but it's not the same as a standard cPanel backup file. Your new host can tell you what they accept. For WordPress, the other host can usually import straight from your live site instead.
Related guides
- How Website Backups Work on Your Hosting Account (JetBackup 5)
- How to Restore Your Whole Account to an Earlier Date (JetBackup 5)
- How to Restore a File or Folder with JetBackup 5
- How to Import and Export a Database with phpMyAdmin
- How to Back Up and Restore WordPress in WP Toolkit
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and the Instant Access Internet Services team will help.
