---
title: "Download a Backup from Softaculous"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cms/softaculous/download-a-backup-from-softaculous/"
description: "Protect your site data. Learn how to download a Softaculous backup to your local computer for offline storage and emergency restoration."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2024-03-04"
last_modified: "2026-07-20"
---

# Download a Backup from Softaculous

You can download a backup to your local computer for offline storage in case you need to restore your site. This will allow you to restore your site back to a previous version in case of malicious attack. Any changes made between the time of the backup and time of restore will not be saved.

| ### **Warning:** |
|---|
| Local backups from Softaculous are not easily uploaded/imported into a new Softaculous install. This makes cross server clones/restores/migrations with Softaculous backups difficult. They should only be used within a Softaculous installation to overwrite and restore the current site. |

1. To download your backups to a your computer, click on the backups icon on the home page of Softaculous.  
    ![Backup icon on home page](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_5nRkVa.png)
2. This will take you to the **Backups and Restore** home page. Click the down arrow icon to begin downloading the backup.  
    ![down arrow icon highlighted](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/help.liquidweb.com_LFc0Qm.png)
3. The file will download as a zip file to your downloads folder. You can now move the file wherever you would like on your local computer.

See how to restore from a backup in our article [Restoring from a Backup in Softaculous](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cms/softaculous/restoring-from-a-backup-in-softaculous/).