What it is for
Pluggies Backup allows you to create backups of your WordPress site and restore them when needed. You can save the entire site (database + files), just the database, or only the uploaded files. In case of an error, wrong update, or issue with the site, you can revert to a previous version in just a few clicks.
Requirements
- WordPress: version 6.4 or later.
- PHP: version 8.0 or later.
- Permissions: you must be an administrator of the site (permission
manage_options). Only administrators can see and use the plugin. - PHP ZipArchive extension: required to create and restore backups. It is available on most hosting; if missing, the plugin will notify you with a message.
Installation and activation
- Upload the plugin from the WordPress dashboard (Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin) or copy the plugin folder to
wp-content/plugins. - Go to Plugins and click Activate next to Pluggies Backup.
Pluggies Backup is free: no license activation is required to use it. Once activated, it still receives automatic updates directly from the Pluggies store (pluggies.cloud), so you always have the latest version without manual intervention.
How to use it
After activation, the Pluggies option appears in the sidebar menu of the dashboard. Open Pluggies → Backup to reach the plugin page.
Creating a backup
In the Create a backup section, you will find three buttons, one for each type of copy. Click on the desired type to start the backup immediately:
- Complete — saves the database and the contents of
wp-content(themes, plugins, uploaded files). Cache folders, temporary updates, and the backups themselves are excluded to avoid unnecessary copies. - Database only — saves only the tables and contents of the database (posts, pages, settings, users, etc.).
- Files only — saves only the
uploadsfolder, which includes the images and media files uploaded to the site.
The progress
As soon as you start the backup, a progress bar appears showing the percentage and a message about the status (for example, “Exporting database…” or “Compressing files…”). The work proceeds in small blocks, so it works even on large sites without blocking the server. If you want to stop the operation, click Cancel: the partial copy will be removed.
Keep this page open until the backup is complete. Upon completion, you will see the message “Backup completed” and the page will refresh showing the new file in the list.
Where backups are stored
The files are saved as .zip archives on your server, in a protected folder within wp-content/uploads/pluggies-backups. The folder is locked from external access, so no one can download your backups via URL.
Download, restore, and delete
In the Available backups section, each copy is listed with type, size, date, and time. For each, you have three actions:
- Download — saves the
.ziparchive to your computer, to keep it in a safe place outside the site. - Restore — brings the site back to the state of the backup. Use the dropdown menu to choose what to restore (Complete, Database only, or Files only); you will be asked for confirmation because the operation overwrites the current data.
- Delete — permanently removes the archive from the server (confirmation is required).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the backups saved?
On your own server, in the protected folder wp-content/uploads/pluggies-backups. For added security, we recommend using Download and keeping a copy on your computer or in cloud storage: if the server has a serious issue, you will still have the backup safe elsewhere.
Can I leave the page while the backup is in progress?
No. During the backup creation, the page must remain open until the message “Backup completed”. If you close the tab or navigate elsewhere before it finishes, the operation will stop and the partial copy will not be saved. On very large sites, the operation may take a few minutes: this is normal.
Does the complete backup also include plugins and themes?
Yes. The Complete backup includes the entire wp-content folder (thus plugins, themes, and uploaded files) along with the database. Only temporary cache and update folders and existing backups are excluded, as they are not needed for restoration.
The message “ZipArchive is not available on this server” appears
This means that your hosting lacks the PHP ZipArchive extension, which is essential for creating and restoring archives. Contact your hosting support and ask them to enable it: in most cases, it is a simple server-side activation.
Is the restoration safe? What happens to the current data?
The restoration overwrites the existing data with those contained in the backup: the database is rewritten and the files are replaced. It is a powerful operation, so use it carefully. Our advice is to first create a new complete backup of the current state: this way, if something doesn’t seem right after the restoration, you can always go back.