How to create a backup

Before you start

• Disk space — Roughly 1.5–2× site size during the job.
• Health — Check Dashboard → Health for PHP and disk warnings.
• License — Free: local backup/restore and full multisite network scope. Plus: cloud + schedules. Pro: remote import and installer.

Install the plugin

1. Plugins → Add New — search Multisite Migrate, install, activate.
2. Multisite: Network Activate.
3. Open Multisite Migrate in the admin menu.

Setup wizard

On first visit, a short wizard runs (you can skip anytime):

1. Welcome — Overview and continue.
2. Scope — Default backup scope (multisite: network or selected subsites — included free).
3. Storage — Local path; link to cloud (Plus).
4. Schedule — Optional automated backup (Plus).
5. First backup — Run a test backup or skip.

Backup now

1. Dashboard or Backups → Backup now.
2. Drawer: Profile (full / database / files / custom) → Destination (local or cloud) → Review.
3. Start backup. Close the drawer — the job continues in the background.

Backup options

Scope (multisite, Free)

Scope	Included
Full network	All subsites and network tables
Selected subsites	Checked subsites + required network tables
Single subsite	One site (subsite admin if granted on Plus/Pro)

Single-site installs always backup the whole site.

Profiles & formats

• Full — Database + wp-content, wp-config.php, .htaccess.
• Incremental (Plus) — File changes since last full backup in the same scope.
• .zip / .daf / .venc — Standard, streaming, or encrypted archives.

While the backup runs

Jobs run in chunks via HTTP/cron. Watch progress on the Dashboard or in the Activity log. Only one backup or restore at a time.

After backup

1. Confirm Complete in Backups.
2. Download before migration if needed.
3. Recovery point — Pin important backups.
4. Pro: Archives can embed multisite-migrate-installer.php for empty-server migration.

Cloud storage (Plus)

1. Cloud Storage → connect Google Drive, Dropbox, S3, or SFTP.
2. Test connection and save.
3. Choose cloud as destination in Backup now (upload runs after local archive is built).

Plus uploads backups to cloud. Importing from cloud requires Pro.

Scheduled backups (Plus)

1. Schedules → enable, pick frequency and profile.
2. Set retention to prune old archives automatically.

Encrypted archives (.venc)

1. Settings → Backup engine → enable Encrypt archives and set a passphrase.
2. Store the passphrase securely — required for restore and installer.

Troubleshooting

Backup failed

Check Activity log, disk space, and Settings → System & Debug.

Cloud upload failed

Local archive remains valid — retry or download manually.

Subsite admin blocked

Network admin: enable the subsite under Settings → Site access. Requires a Plus or Pro license (see site limits).

Next: How to restore a backup

Backup FAQ

Quick answers while you create archives. For cloud and schedules, jump to those sections above.

How much disk space do I need?

Plan on roughly 1.5–2× the site size while a job runs (temporary working files plus the finished archive). Free space first if Health shows disk warnings.

Can I back up only some multisite subsites?

Yes. Use backup scope to select full network, selected subsites, or a single subsite (when that admin has access on Plus/Pro).

What happens if PHP times out mid-backup?

Jobs are chunked and resumable. Refresh the dashboard — progress should continue from the last completed chunk instead of starting over.

Where are local archives stored?

Under wp-content/multisite-migrate-archives/ by default. Download from Backups, or connect cloud destinations on Plus with your own credentials.

Do schedules require Plus?

Yes. Automated schedules and cloud upload destinations are Plus (and above). Free still includes manual local backups and restores.