UpdraftPlus is a WordPress backup and migration plugin that helps you create copies of your website files and database, store backups remotely, and restore your site when something goes wrong. Its free version supports manual and scheduled backups, while Premium adds features such as incremental backups, pre-update backups, and additional storage options.
Your WordPress website contains important content, images, settings, plugins, themes, and database information. A failed update, accidental deletion, security incident, or hosting problem can put that information at risk.
Regular backups give you a way to recover from many of these problems. UpdraftPlus helps automate that process so you do not have to remember to create every backup manually.
This beginner-friendly guide explains how UpdraftPlus works, how to set up a backup schedule, where to store backup files, and how to restore a website safely.
1. What Is UpdraftPlus?
UpdraftPlus is a WordPress plugin designed to back up, restore, and migrate WordPress websites. It can create backups of your database and website files, then send them to a supported remote storage service.
A typical WordPress backup includes your database, plugins, themes, uploads, and other selected files. These components matter because a copy of your database alone may not contain your images or the files needed to run your website.
UpdraftPlus can schedule backups automatically and lets you initiate a manual backup before making important changes. When you need to recover your site, you can select an available backup and choose which components to restore.
For the current feature list and supported integrations, consult the official WordPress.org plugin listing.
2. Key UpdraftPlus Features
UpdraftPlus combines several backup and recovery functions in one plugin. These are the main concepts beginners should understand.
Manual Backups
Create a backup before an important update, design change, migration, or other maintenance task.
Scheduled Backups
Set regular backup intervals so your website can be backed up without relying on memory.
Remote Storage
Send backups to supported cloud or remote storage instead of relying only on your hosting server.
Website Restoration
Restore selected website components from an available backup using the restoration process.
Migration Tools
Move a WordPress site to another server or domain using supported backup and migration workflows.
Backup Retention
Choose how many backup sets to retain so old copies do not consume unlimited storage space.
What is included in a WordPress backup?
UpdraftPlus separates a backup into components. Depending on your settings and version, these commonly include:
- Database: Posts, pages, settings, user records, and other database information.
- Plugins: Plugin files installed on the website.
- Themes: Theme files, including relevant custom theme files.
- Uploads: Images and other files in the WordPress uploads directory.
- Other files: Additional files covered by the selected backup options.
The exact components included depend on your configuration. Review the backup selection and logs rather than assuming every file on the hosting account is automatically included.
3. UpdraftPlus Free vs Premium
The free version is a practical starting point for many small WordPress websites. Premium adds capabilities for users who need more storage choices, finer control, or additional automation.
| Capability | Free | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Manual backups | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduled backups | Yes | Yes, with additional scheduling controls |
| Remote storage | Several supported destinations | Additional destinations and multiple locations |
| Incremental backups | Not included | Available |
| Automatic backups before updates | Not included as a Premium feature | Available |
| Advanced backup controls | Core settings | Additional controls and options |
Feature availability can change as the product develops. Check the official UpdraftPlus website for current plans, prices, and licensing details before purchasing.
Which version should a beginner choose?
Start with the free version if you need basic manual and scheduled backups and its supported storage options meet your needs. Consider Premium if you need incremental backups, automatic backups before updates, multiple remote destinations, or other features that are not included in your current version.
4. How to Install UpdraftPlus
For the free version, install the plugin from the WordPress plugin directory. If you purchase Premium, follow the official instructions for installing its package and activating the applicable license.
Step 1: Open your WordPress dashboard
Log in with an account that has permission to install plugins. If you manage a client website, confirm that you are authorized to make changes.
Step 2: Install the plugin
- Go to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
- Search for UpdraftPlus.
- Check that the plugin is the official UpdraftPlus backup and migration plugin.
- Click Install Now.
- Click Activate.
Step 3: Open UpdraftPlus settings
Navigate to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups. The plugin interface may differ slightly depending on the installed version and your WordPress dashboard configuration.
Step 4: Create an initial backup
Before changing settings or running major updates, open the Backup / Restore tab and select Backup Now. Choose the database and files you want to include, and select remote storage if it is configured.
Step 5: Confirm that the backup completed
Wait for the process to finish. Review the backup status and any messages or logs. If you configured remote storage, confirm that the backup files were sent to the selected destination.
For the latest installation instructions, use the official UpdraftPlus documentation.
5. How to Configure UpdraftPlus Backups
Once installed, configure a backup schedule, choose where the files should be stored, and decide how many copies to keep. The best schedule depends on how often your website changes.
Step 1: Choose your remote storage
Open the Settings tab and locate the remote storage options. Select a supported destination and follow its authorization or connection instructions. Save your settings when finished.
The free version supports several destinations, including Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3 and compatible storage, FTP, and others. Premium provides additional choices. Confirm current support in the plugin interface and official documentation.
Step 2: Set your backup schedule
UpdraftPlus provides separate schedule settings for files and the database. This lets you choose backup frequencies that reflect how frequently each part of your website changes.
| Website type | Possible starting schedule | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly static website | Weekly or fortnightly | Content changes infrequently, but backups should still be maintained. |
| Active blog | Daily database backups; files based on update frequency | New posts, comments, and edits may need more frequent protection. |
| Business website | Daily or more often when content changes frequently | Forms, leads, and content changes may be important to recover. |
| Online store | Frequency based on order and transaction activity | Recent orders and customer data can be lost if the backup is too old. |
These are starting points, not universal rules. For an online store or another website that receives transactions, coordinate backup frequency and restoration procedures with the site’s data and order-management requirements.
Step 3: Set backup retention
Retention controls how many backup sets are kept before older copies are removed. Keeping too few backups may leave you without a clean recovery point. Keeping too many may consume remote storage or hosting space.
Choose a retention policy that balances available storage, backup size, and how far back you may need to recover. Periodically review whether the policy is still suitable for your website.
Step 4: Enable backup reporting
Where available, enable email reporting so you can see whether scheduled backups complete. Do not assume that a configured schedule guarantees successful backups.
Check for failed uploads, storage authorization problems, timeouts, and other warnings. If a backup fails, investigate it before relying on the next scheduled run.
Step 5: Run a manual backup before important changes
Even with scheduled backups, create a fresh backup before major plugin or theme updates, WordPress core updates, code edits, database changes, and migrations. Make sure the backup finishes before proceeding.
6. How to Restore a WordPress Backup
Restoration can replace selected website components with versions from an earlier backup. That makes it useful for recovery, but it can also remove changes made after the backup was created.
Step 1: Open Backup / Restore
In the WordPress dashboard, open Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups and select the Backup / Restore tab.
Step 2: Find the correct backup
Review the Existing Backups section. Check the backup date and confirm that it is the version you want to recover.
Step 3: Select Restore
Click Restore next to the selected backup. If your backup is stored on your computer instead, use the plugin’s upload-backup option where supported.
Step 4: Choose the components
The restoration wizard lets you select available components, such as the database, plugins, themes, uploads, or other files. Select the components that match the problem you are trying to fix.
Step 5: Follow the restoration process
Read the confirmation prompts and allow the process to complete. Do not close the browser or interrupt the process unnecessarily.
Step 6: Test the restored website
Check the homepage, important articles, images, forms, navigation, login, and other essential functions. If you restored an online store, verify the relevant store functionality and recent data carefully.
For version-specific instructions, follow the official UpdraftPlus documentation. If your site is severely broken or you cannot access the dashboard, you may need help from your hosting provider or a qualified WordPress professional.
7. WordPress Backup Best Practices
Store Backups Off-Site
Keep copies in a separate remote storage location instead of depending only on the same server that hosts the website.
Check Backup Logs
Review completion messages and investigate failed backups or remote upload errors.
Test Restoration
Where practical, test recovery on a staging site so you know the process works before an emergency.
Protect Backup Access
Secure your WordPress administrator account and remote storage account with strong authentication.
Keep the plugin updated
As of October 13, 2026, the official WordPress.org changelog lists UpdraftPlus version 1.26.8, released September 17, 2026. Its release notes include a security fix related to a specific combination of migrated-site configuration, saved storage credentials, and user access.
Use the official plugin page to check the latest available version and update promptly when an update is offered. Back up the website before updating, and test the important parts of the site afterward.
Source: UpdraftPlus on WordPress.org — current version and changelog.
Follow the 3-2-1 backup principle where practical
A useful general backup strategy is to keep multiple copies of important data, use more than one storage medium or location, and maintain an off-site copy. For a small website, a practical starting point is a remote backup plus a separately downloaded copy of important backup sets.
Remember that a backup account can also be compromised. Use appropriate account security, limit access, and keep your recovery files protected.
8. Common UpdraftPlus Problems and Fixes
The backup does not complete
Review the backup log for errors, check available disk space, and confirm that the hosting environment has enough resources. Large websites may need additional time or help from the hosting provider.
The remote storage connection fails
Check whether the storage account is still authorized, whether the correct account was connected, and whether the provider’s access permissions have changed. Reconnect the storage destination using the official instructions if needed.
The backup files take too much space
Review retention settings and remove only backup copies you no longer need. Consider whether your schedule is suitable and whether incremental backups would help for your particular website.
The website still has problems after restoration
Check whether the correct backup date and components were selected. The problem may involve files or database data that were not included in the restoration. Consult the restoration logs or seek help if you cannot identify the cause.
I cannot access the WordPress dashboard
Do not repeatedly attempt unfamiliar recovery commands. Check your hosting provider’s recovery options and available backup copies. A hosting support team or WordPress professional may be needed for a site-level recovery.
Can I keep backups only on my hosting account?
You can configure local backups, but this leaves them dependent on the same server. A separate remote copy provides better protection if the hosting account or server becomes unavailable.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Is UpdraftPlus free?
Yes. A free version is available from the WordPress plugin directory. Premium adds features and integrations for users who need them.
Does UpdraftPlus back up the entire website?
It can back up the database and selected website files, but the result depends on your settings and exclusions. Review the selected components and backup logs to understand what is included.
Can I back up WordPress to Google Drive?
Google Drive is one of the supported remote storage options in the free version. Follow the current plugin instructions to connect and authorize your account.
How often should I back up my website?
Choose a frequency based on how often your content or data changes and how much recent information you can afford to lose. Daily backups are a reasonable starting point for many active websites, but transaction-heavy sites may need more frequent protection.
Can UpdraftPlus migrate my website?
UpdraftPlus supports backup-based migration workflows. Available migration methods and convenience features depend on the version and license you use. Follow the official migration documentation for your situation.
Is a backup plugin enough to secure WordPress?
No. Backups are an important recovery measure, but they do not prevent every attack or replace updates, strong passwords, access controls, monitoring, and other security practices.
Protect Your WordPress Website
Start by creating a complete backup, sending a copy to remote storage, and confirming that you can retrieve it. A backup plan is only useful when it is maintained and recoverable.
Explore Official UpdraftPlus Guides →This guide is for educational purposes. Plugin features, interface labels, supported storage providers, and licensing terms can change. Always check the current official documentation before performing a major backup, restoration, or migration.
