Backup / Restore

ChurchCRM has a built-in backup and restore tool that dumps your database (and optionally your uploaded images) to a single archive file that you can download, store off-site, or re-import later.

Creating a backup

1. Log in as an administrator.
2. Open the Admin Dashboard. Backup is not in the Admin sidebar.
3. In System Info, click Backup. The page title is Backup Database.
4. Choose a backup type:
   • Database Only — database structure and data (.sql)
   • Full Backup — database plus uploaded photos (.tar.gz)
5. Click Generate & Download Backup. The file downloads to your browser. The archive is temporary and is deleted after the download.

Before every upgrade

Take a fresh backup before every upgrade. The Upgrade Wizard also has a built-in backup step as part of the workflow.

Restoring a backup

1. On the Admin Dashboard, under Advanced Operations, click Restore. The page title is Restore Database.
2. Drag your backup archive onto the upload area (or click to browse). Supported files are .sql, .sql.gz, and .tar.gz.
3. Click Restore Database. The system replaces the current database with the contents of the backup.

Destructive operation

Restoring replaces your current data. If you have made changes since the backup was taken, those changes will be lost. Take a fresh backup of the current state first if you're not sure.

Remote backup

Remote backup is the plugin External Backup (WebDAV) under Admin → Plugins. Enable it, then set the WebDAV address, username, and password. When it is configured, Backup Database also offers Backup to External Storage Now.

ChurchCRM does not keep a copy of the downloadable archive on the server after you download it.

Where backups live

The file you download is built in the system temporary directory and deleted after the download finishes. Do not look for a lasting backup folder inside the ChurchCRM install. See File System Permissions for the directories ChurchCRM does need to write.