The Backup & Restore section in Cloudways Velocity allows you to protect and recover your application data.
You can use it to:
Schedule automated backups.
Choose how long backups are retained.
Select the preferred backup time.
Create an immediate on-demand backup.
Review the current off-site backup size.
Restore the application from an available backup point.
A backup is a saved copy of your application files and database. It can help you recover the application after an unsuccessful deployment, unwanted file change, database issue, or another application-level problem.
Important:
Create an on-demand backup before making a major application change, such as deploying important code, changing application configuration, updating dependencies, or modifying the database.
Before You Begin
Make sure that:
You have an active Cloudways Velocity application.
You can access the application from the Cloudways Platform.
You understand that restoring a backup replaces the current application data with data from the selected backup point.
You have created a recent backup before performing a risky or irreversible change.
Back Up and Restore a Cloudways Velocity Application
The Backup & Restore section gives you a simple way to protect and recover your Cloudways Velocity application.
Use the Backup tab to schedule automated backups, create an immediate recovery point, and review backup storage information.
Use the Restore tab to select an available backup and recover the application when needed.
Access Backup & Restore
Log in to the Cloudways Platform.
From the left navigation menu, select Velocity.
Select My Applications.
Choose the application you want to manage.
From the application management menu, select Backup & Restore.
The section contains two tabs:
Backup
Restore
Configure Automated Backups
Navigate to: Velocity → My Applications → Select Application → Backup & Restore → Backup
The Backup Settings section allows you to control when automated backups are created and how long they remain available.
Frequency
Frequency determines how often Cloudways creates an automated backup.
For example, selecting 1 Day schedules one automated backup each day.
Choose a frequency based on how often your application files or database change. Applications updated frequently may require more frequent backups.
Retention Period
Retention Period determines how long Cloudways keeps the available backups.
For example, selecting 1 Week keeps backups for the configured weekly period before older restore points are removed.
A longer retention period provides access to older recovery points but may increase off-site backup storage usage.
Preferred Hour
Preferred Hour determines when the automated backup process should begin.
Velocity uses the UTC time zone for scheduled backups. Convert your preferred local backup time to UTC before selecting the hour.
For example, if your local time is UTC+5 and you select 06:00 UTC, the backup is scheduled for approximately 11:00 local time.
Save the Backup Settings
Select the required Frequency.
Select the required Retention Period.
Select the Preferred Hour.
Select Save Changes.
The updated schedule applies to future automated backups.
Tip:
Schedule automated backups during a period of lower application activity where possible.
Create an On-Demand Backup
An on-demand backup creates a new recovery point immediately instead of waiting for the next scheduled backup.
Use it before:
Deploying an important application update.
Changing environment variables or configuration.
Updating application dependencies.
Modifying the database.
Adding or changing web rules.
Performing troubleshooting that may change files or data.
Take a Backup Now
Open the Backup tab.
Select Take Backup Now.
Wait while Cloudways creates the backup.
Confirm that the successful-backup notification appears.
The notification displays a message similar to:
On-Demand Application backup successfully completed.
Backup completion time may vary depending on the size of the application files and database.
Important:
Wait for the success notification before starting the change for which you created the backup.
Review the Off-Site Backup Size
The Off-site Backup Size section displays:
The current size of the stored backup data.
The date on which the backup-size information was last updated.
Off-site means the backup copy is stored separately from the active application environment. This separation helps preserve the backup if the live application files or database are damaged.
The displayed size may increase when:
Application files grow.
The database becomes larger.
More uploaded content is stored.
The selected backup retention period keeps more restore points.
The Cloudways Velocity application overview also identifies the current backup size and last-updated date as part of the Backup section.
Restore Your Velocity Application
Navigate to: Velocity → My Applications → Select Application → Backup & Restore → Restore
The Restore tab displays the available backups that can be used to recover the application.
Each restore point is identified by its creation date and time. The newest available backup may be marked as Latest.
Restore from an Available Backup
Open the Restore tab.
Open the backup dropdown.
Select the required backup date and time.
Confirm that you selected the correct restore point.
Select Restore Application Now.
Confirm the action if the Platform displays a confirmation message.
Wait for the restoration process to complete.
Open and test the application after the restore finishes.
The Velocity overview guide confirms that customers can select an available backup from the Restore tab and then use Restore Application Now to recover the application.
Warning:
Restoring an older backup can replace changes made after that backup was created. This may include newer files, deployments, configuration changes, and database records.
What to Check After a Restore
After the restoration is complete, verify:
The application opens correctly.
Important pages and routes work.
API endpoints return the expected responses.
Database-connected features work.
Uploaded files are available.
Environment-dependent features work correctly.
Scheduled cron jobs and integrations are functioning.
The correct application version has been restored.
When Cloudflare caching is enabled, purge the Cloudflare cache if visitors still see content from before the restore.
Recommended Backup Practices
Create an on-demand backup before every major deployment or database change.
Choose a backup frequency that matches how often the application changes.
Select a retention period that gives you enough recovery history.
Remember that scheduled backup hours use UTC.
Do not restore an older backup without checking its timestamp and expected contents.
Test the application immediately after restoration.
Keep deployment records so you can identify which application version corresponds to each backup period.
Do not treat backups as a replacement for source control. Keep application code in a Git repository and use backups to protect application files and databases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an automated backup and an on-demand backup?
An automated backup runs according to the configured frequency and preferred hour. An on-demand backup is started manually using Take Backup Now.
What does the retention period control?
It determines how long available backups are stored before older backups are removed.
Which time zone is used for scheduled backups?
Cloudways Velocity uses UTC for the preferred backup hour.
What is included in a Velocity application backup?
The Backup & Restore section is described as managing application data, files, and databases. The available restore operation can recover the application from the selected backup point.
Does taking a backup stop the application?
The screenshots do not indicate that an on-demand backup intentionally stops the application. However, backup duration can vary depending on application and database size.
How do I know that an on-demand backup is complete?
Wait for the Platform notification confirming that the on-demand application backup was successfully completed.
Can I restore the latest backup?
Yes. Open the Restore dropdown and select the backup marked Latest, then select
Restore Application Now.
Can I restore an older backup?
Yes, provided that the backup remains available within the configured retention period.
Will restoring a backup remove recent changes?
It may replace application data created or changed after the selected backup was taken. Review the backup date and time carefully before restoring.
Why is my required backup not listed?
It may have expired according to the retention period, or it may not have completed successfully. Review the available restore points and your current backup configuration.
What does Off-site Backup Size mean?
It shows the size of the backup data stored separately from the active application environment.
That's it! We hope this article was helpful.