How to Backup Your WordPress Database Using phpMyAdmin and Plugins

Regularly backing up your WordPress database is one of the most crucial steps to securing your website.

Should anything go wrong — a failed update, a security breach, or even accidental deletion — a backup ensures you can restore your site to its previous state.

In this guide, I’ll cover two easy methods for backing up your WordPress database: using phpMyAdmin and popular WordPress plugins.

1. Backing Up Your WordPress Database Using phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is a database management tool that allows you to easily interact with your WordPress database without extensive technical knowledge.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Access phpMyAdmin

1. Log in to your web hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk, or equivalent).
2. Locate the phpMyAdmin option, typically found under the “Databases” section.
3. Click on phpMyAdmin to open the database management interface.

Step 2: Select Your Database

1. In phpMyAdmin, you’ll see a list of databases on the left-hand side. Click on the database associated with your WordPress site.
2. To find the correct database name, check your wp-config.php file located in the root directory of your WordPress installation. Look for the following line:

   define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');

3. Once you’ve located your database in phpMyAdmin, click on it.

Step 3: Export Your Database

1. With your database selected, click on the Export tab at the top of the screen.
2. Choose the Quick export method, which includes all tables without additional options.
3. Select the SQL format (ideal for backups and migrations).
4. Click on Go to start the export. Your database file will download to your computer, usually as a .sql file.

Note: Save this file securely. It contains all of your website’s data, including posts, pages, user accounts, and settings.

Method 2: Backing Up Your WordPress Database Using Plugins

If phpMyAdmin feels too technical or you prefer a simpler approach, WordPress plugins make database backups much easier. Here are a few popular plugins and their steps for backing up your database.

1. UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is one of the most trusted and widely-used backup plugins for WordPress. It allows you to back up not only your database but also your entire WordPress site, including media files, themes, and plugins.

How to Use UpdraftPlus:

1. Install and activate the UpdraftPlus plugin from your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
3. Click Backup Now.
4. A pop-up will appear. Select Database and any other items you want to include.
5. Click Backup Now to begin. UpdraftPlus will save your backup to your server, and you’ll be able to download it from the Backups section.

2. WP-DB-Backup

WP-DB-Backup is a straightforward plugin focused solely on database backups, ideal if you only want a quick and simple database backup without other files.

How to Use WP-DB-Backup:

1. Install and activate the WP-DB-Backup plugin.
2. Go to Tools > Backup in your WordPress dashboard.
3. Choose to back up the core WordPress tables, along with any additional tables if needed.
4. Click Backup Now to save the file, or schedule regular backups.

3. BackWPup

BackWPup offers both free and premium versions, providing a range of backup options, including scheduling and cloud storage integration.

How to Use BackWPup:

1. Install and activate the BackWPup plugin.
2. Go to BackWPup > Add New Job.
3. In the “General” tab, check Database Backup and any other elements you wish to include.
4. Under the Schedule tab, set a schedule if you want automated backups.
5. Click Save Changes and Run Now to back up your database.

Tips for Storing and Managing Backups

• Save copies off-site: For added security, store backups on external storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3.
• Automate regular backups: Scheduling backups ensures you always have the latest version available in case of emergencies.
• Maintain multiple versions: Keeping a few previous versions of your database backups can be helpful, especially if a recent change causes issues.

Final Thoughts

Backing up your WordPress database is essential for safeguarding your website’s content and settings. Whether you choose to use phpMyAdmin for a manual approach or prefer a plugin to simplify the process, creating regular backups is a small investment of time with potentially huge benefits.

Follow this guide, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your website is safe.

If you want better peace of mind, hire us to maintain your website

Finally, a DIY Maintenance Checklist for Maximum Uptime

Download our latest ebook with 169 Tasks, from Beginner to Intermediate level. Highly detailed guide to solve almost all WordPress needs without getting external help.

Download Ebook Now