> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dbdock.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Backups & Restore

> Create encrypted, compressed database backups in DBDock Cloud, restore them, retry failures, download files, and apply retention — on demand or on a schedule.

A backup is a point-in-time snapshot of a connected database, encrypted and compressed, stored in your chosen [storage](/cloud/storage). DBDock Cloud runs the same engines as the [CLI](/cli/overview) — see [Concepts](/core/concepts) for the backup pipeline and formats.

## Create a backup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Backups → New backup">
    Choose the [connection](/cloud/connections) to back up.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a destination">
    Select managed storage or one of your own buckets. Defaults to your primary storage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start it">
    Watch live progress. When it finishes, the backup appears in the list with its size, duration, and status.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  To run backups automatically, create a [schedule](/cloud/schedules) instead of starting them by hand.
</Tip>

## Restore a backup

Open any completed backup and choose **Restore**. You can restore into the original database or a different connection — useful for [refreshing staging](/guides/staging-refresh) from production.

<Warning>
  Restoring overwrites data in the target database. Double-check the target connection before you confirm.
</Warning>

## Manage backups

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Retry a failed backup" icon="rotate">
    Failed backups can be retried from the list. The logs explain what went wrong — a common cause is an unreachable database or a storage credential issue.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Download a backup" icon="download">
    Download the encrypted backup file to keep an off-platform copy. You'll need your encryption secret to restore it later — see [Key management](/security/key-management).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="View logs" icon="file-lines">
    Every backup keeps detailed logs, including timing and any errors, so you can diagnose issues without guesswork.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Delete a backup" icon="trash">
    Remove a backup you no longer need. See [Deletion safety](/storage/deletion-safety) for how DBDock protects against accidental data loss.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Retention

Instead of deleting backups by hand, set a retention policy so DBDock keeps the right number and cleans up the rest automatically. Retention has three controls — a maximum count, a maximum age, and a floor that's never crossed. See [Retention strategies](/guides/retention-strategies).

## Encryption

Backups are encrypted with **AES-256-GCM**. On paid plans, encryption is on by default. The encryption secret is what makes a backup restorable — store it safely and separately from the backups themselves. See [Encryption](/security/encryption).

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Schedules" icon="calendar-days" href="/cloud/schedules">
    Automate backups with cron.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Storage" icon="database" href="/cloud/storage">
    Where backups are stored.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>