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content/getting-started/mysql-backup.md

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+---
+title: "Back Up and Restore a MySQL Database"
+description: "How to export and import MySQL databases on Arcline shared hosting using phpMyAdmin and the command line."
+section: getting-started
+order: 3
+---
+
+# Back Up and Restore a MySQL Database
+
+Regular database backups are the most important thing you can do to protect your site. A file backup without a database backup is useless for dynamic sites like WordPress.
+
+---
+
+## Export via phpMyAdmin (easiest)
+
+phpMyAdmin is available in cPanel → **Databases → phpMyAdmin**.
+
+1. In the left sidebar, click the database name you want to export.
+2. Click the **Export** tab at the top.
+3. Leave the method as **Quick** and format as **SQL**.
+4. Click **Go**.
+
+The browser will download a `.sql` file. Store it somewhere safe — not on the same server.
+
+For large databases (over 50 MB), use the **Custom** export method and enable **Add DROP TABLE** so the import won't fail on existing tables.
+
+---
+
+## Export via command line (mysqldump)
+
+SSH into your server and run:
+
+```bash
+mysqldump -u username -p database_name > backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).sql
+```
+
+You'll be prompted for the MySQL password. On cPanel servers, the MySQL username is prefixed with your cPanel username:
+
+```bash
+mysqldump -u cpanelusername_dbusername -p cpanelusername_dbname > backup.sql
+```
+
+Check your cPanel → **Databases → MySQL Databases** for the exact username and database name.
+
+To compress the backup immediately:
+
+```bash
+mysqldump -u username -p database_name | gzip > backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).sql.gz
+```
+
+---
+
+## Download your backup via SFTP
+
+After exporting from the command line, download the `.sql` or `.sql.gz` file to your local machine using FileZilla or Cyberduck (see [Upload Files via SFTP](/getting-started/sftp/)).
+
+The file will be in your home directory: `/home/username/backup.sql`.
+
+---
+
+## Import a database
+
+### phpMyAdmin
+
+1. In cPanel → phpMyAdmin, click the target database in the left sidebar.
+2. Click the **Import** tab.
+3. Click **Choose File** and select your `.sql` file.
+4. Click **Go**.
+
+phpMyAdmin has a file size limit (usually 50–100 MB). For larger databases, use the command line.
+
+### Command line import
+
+```bash
+mysql -u username -p database_name < backup.sql
+```
+
+For a compressed backup:
+
+```bash
+gunzip < backup.sql.gz | mysql -u username -p database_name
+```
+
+> Make sure the target database already exists in cPanel before importing. Create it in cPanel → **Databases → MySQL Databases** if needed, and make sure the database user is assigned to it with all privileges.
+
+---
+
+## Automate daily backups with cron
+
+SSH in and open your crontab:
+
+```bash
+crontab -e
+```
+
+Add this line to run a backup every day at 2 AM:
+
+```
+0 2 * * * mysqldump -u cpanelusername_dbuser -pYOURPASSWORD cpanelusername_dbname | gzip > ~/backups/db_$(date +\%Y\%m\%d).sql.gz
+```
+
+A few notes:
+- Replace `YOURPASSWORD` with your actual MySQL password (no space after `-p`)
+- `~/backups/` must exist: `mkdir ~/backups`
+- The `\%` escaping is required in crontab
+
+Also set up a cron to delete backups older than 30 days to avoid filling up disk space:
+
+```
+30 2 * * * find ~/backups -name "*.sql.gz" -mtime +30 -delete
+```
+
+cPanel also has a built-in cron interface under **Advanced → Cron Jobs** if you prefer a GUI.
+
+---
+
+## cPanel full backup
+
+For a complete backup of files **and** databases together, use cPanel → **Files → Backup Wizard**. Choose **Back Up Your Website** and download the full backup. These can be large — only practical for occasional snapshots, not daily automation.