Automatic Backups with Softaculous: How to Configure Them

Introduction

Updating WordPress, a plugin or PrestaShop without a backup is playing Russian roulette: if something breaks, there’s no going back. That’s why, before any important update, it’s worth having a backup.

Softaculous includes an automatic backups feature that saves you this work: it makes a copy of your application before each update. In this article you’ll see how to configure it.

What Softaculous backups are

Softaculous can make automatic backups of the applications it installs (WordPress, Joomla, PrestaShop, etc.). These copies include:

• All files of the application.
• The complete database.
• The installation configuration.

The big advantage: it’s done automatically before each update, without you having to remember.

[Imagen sugerida: diagram of how Softaculous backups work]

If an update breaks something, you restore the Softaculous backup and return to the previous state in one click.

Types of backups in Softaculous

Softaculous allows configuring:

Type	When it’s done	What it’s for
Backup before updating	Automatic before each update	Protect against updates that break something
Scheduled backup	Daily, weekly or monthly	Protect against any disaster
Manual backup	Whenever you want	Before a specific change

How to enable automatic backups

Step 1: Go to your installations

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open Softaculous Apps Installer.
3. Click All Installations (the folder icon).

You’ll see all the applications you’ve installed with Softaculous.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of All Installations in Softaculous]

Step 2: Edit the backup configuration

1. Click the pencil icon (edit) on the installation you want to configure.

2. Find the Backup section.

3. Configure:

   • Automated backups: enable this option.
   • Backup location: where they’re saved (leave default or choose a folder).
   • Backup Interval: choose the frequency:
     • No backups: no automatic backups (not recommended).
     • Daily backup: daily copy (ideal for websites with frequent changes).
     • Weekly backup: weekly copy (sufficient for most).
     • Monthly backup: monthly copy (for websites that change little).
   • Number of Backups: how many copies to keep (recommended: 2 or 3). The oldest are deleted.

4. Save the changes.

Step 3: Enable backup before updating

On the same edit screen, find the Auto Upgrade option and check that backup before updating is active.

If you leave Auto Upgrade on “Upgrade to Latest Version”, Softaculous updates itself and makes a backup before. If you prefer to update yourself, the backup is also made before the manual update.

How to restore a Softaculous backup

If something goes wrong after an update, you can restore:

1. Go to Softaculous → All Installations.
2. Click the backup icon on the installation.
3. You’ll see the list of available copies, with date.
4. Click Restore next to the copy you want to restore.
5. Confirm.

[Imagen sugerida: screenshot of backup restoration in Softaculous]

Softaculous restores files and database to the state of that date. All subsequent changes are lost.

⚠️ Restoring a backup deletes everything done after. Use it only when you’re sure you want to go back.

How to make a manual backup

If you’re going to make an important change (changing theme, installing a large plugin), you can make a manual backup:

1. Go to Softaculous → All Installations.
2. Click the backup icon on the installation.
3. Click Backup Now.
4. Wait for it to finish.

The manual backup is useful when you want a specific save point before an intervention.

Difference between Softaculous backups and hosting backups

Softaculous makes backups of the applications it installs (WordPress, Joomla, etc.). It doesn’t back up your entire hosting account.

Backup type	What it covers	When it’s done
Softaculous backup	A specific application (WordPress, Joomla…)	Scheduled or before updating
Hosting backup	Your entire account: files, emails, databases	Daily (on plans with backup)

The ideal is to combine both: hosting backup for general disasters, Softaculous backup to restore specific apps.

Useful tips

• Enable automatic backups for all your apps. It’s the most useful measure you can take.
• Keep 2 or 3 copies, not more. Too many copies fill the disk without adding value.
• Make a manual backup before big changes. Even if you have automatic backups, a specific one doesn’t hurt.
• Test restoration. A backup you’ve never restored may not work when you need it.
• Check space. Backups take up disk space. Check it doesn’t fill up.

Common problems

I can’t find the backups

Go to Softaculous → All Installations → backup icon on the installation. All copies are there.

Restoration doesn’t work

Check that you have permissions on files and database. If the problem persists, contact support.

Backups take up a lot of space

Each backup includes files + database. If your app is large, backups are too. Reduce the number of copies you keep or delete old ones.

I don’t receive backups by email

Softaculous can send you email notifications. Enable this option in each installation’s configuration.

I want a backup outside the server

Softaculous backups are saved on your hosting. If you want a backup elsewhere, you can download it via FTP or use an external service.

Frequently asked questions

Are Softaculous backups free?

Yes, they’re included in Softaculous, which at miHosting comes with all cPanel plans at no cost.

How much do backups take up?

It depends on your application. A small WordPress takes about 50-100 MB. A PrestaShop store can take several GB.

Can I download backups?

Yes. Backups are saved as ZIP files you can download from cPanel’s File Manager or via FTP.

Are backups made in the background?

Yes, Softaculous schedules them in the background. They don’t affect your website’s navigation.

Is the Softaculous backup enough?

It’s very useful, but complement with the hosting’s general backup. Softaculous covers apps; the hosting covers the entire account.

Automatic backups, total peace of mind

Configuring automatic backups with Softaculous is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your website. It protects you against updates that break something and lets you go back in one click.

If you need help configuring backups on your miHosting hosting, open a ticket from your client panel. Our technicians help you have everything protected.