Trying to migrate an old website for a client and running into issues left and right (No FTP access, unknown host, migration errors, lack of server space, etc). Could not download Updraft Plus backups (more than 700 reaching back a couple years). To work around this, Under Settings > Choose your remote storage, I switched from email to my Google Drive and created a new backup.
The good news is that the backup worked and was sent to my drive. The bad news is that now when I visit Updraft Plus dashboard, all I see is that one backup I just made. Where are the other backups? And how can I get them back to being visible on the homepage. Is "rescan remote storage", or "Rescan local folder for new backup sets", an option to retrieve the other backups?
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Where were the old backups being sent to? Updraft only lists backups for the currently selected remote connection type.
You mentioned email - I can't imagine how Updraft would be able to restore from that method, as it can't connect to your email host. You would need to manually upload the Updraft ZIP files. Hence using is Dropbox, G Drive or S3 is recommended.
Migrating an old WordPress website often presents unexpected challenges, especially when dealing with backup systems that have been in place for years. When encountering issues like missing FTP access, unknown hosting details, or server space limitations, the backup restoration process can become particularly complex. Many WordPress administrators find themselves in similar situations where years of backup data suddenly seems inaccessible after changing storage settings. Understanding how backup plugins handle storage connections is crucial for successful migrations and data recovery.
Understanding UpdraftPlus Backup Visibility
When switching remote storage destinations in UpdraftPlus, the plugin only displays backups associated with the currently selected storage method. This means that changing from email to Google Drive will make previous email backups invisible in the dashboard interface. The backups haven't disappeared permanently - they're simply not being displayed because the plugin is now looking at a different storage location. This behavior is intentional within UpdraftPlus's design to prevent confusion between different storage types and ensure users are working with the correct backup sets for their current configuration.
The original backups sent via email remain stored in the email account's attachments, but UpdraftPlus cannot directly access or display them when configured for Google Drive storage. Email isn't an ideal backup method for WordPress sites because the plugin cannot establish a direct connection to retrieve files for restoration. For reliable backup management, cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3 provide much better integration and accessibility. When dealing with complex WordPress configurations, using specialized tools for WordPress website analysis can help identify potential compatibility issues before they cause problems.
Recovering Missing Backups in UpdraftPlus
To restore visibility of previous backups, you'll need to temporarily switch the remote storage setting back to the original method (email in this case). Navigate to UpdraftPlus Settings and change the remote storage option back to email. Once this is done, use the "Rescan remote storage" option from the Existing Backups tab. This will prompt UpdraftPlus to reconnect to the email storage and rediscover all available backup sets, making them visible in your dashboard again.
For permanent access to these backups, consider downloading them while connected to the email storage method and then re-uploading them to your preferred cloud storage. This process ensures all your historical backups remain accessible regardless of your current storage configuration. When working with older WordPress sites, it's helpful to identify the WordPress version and configuration to ensure compatibility with current backup methods and avoid potential restoration issues.
Why did my UpdraftPlus backups disappear after changing settings?
UpdraftPlus organizes backup display based on the currently active remote storage method. When you switch storage destinations, the plugin automatically filters the backup list to show only files stored in that specific location. This filtering prevents confusion between backup sets stored in different locations but means backups from previous storage methods become temporarily invisible. The backups remain intact in their original storage location and can be recovered by switching back to that storage method.
This design helps maintain clarity when managing multiple storage locations but requires users to understand that changing storage methods affects backup visibility. For comprehensive WordPress management, including situations where you need to update WordPress administrator credentials, maintaining consistent backup procedures across all storage methods ensures data remains accessible regardless of configuration changes.
What's the best remote storage option for WordPress backups?
Choosing the right remote storage for WordPress backups depends on your specific needs for accessibility, security, and integration. Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Amazon S3 typically offer the best balance of these factors for most users. These services provide reliable infrastructure, straightforward integration with UpdraftPlus, and easy access to backup files when needed for restoration. The table below compares popular options:
| Storage Type | Accessibility | Integration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | Excellent | Very Good | Individual users |
| Dropbox | Excellent | Very Good | Team collaboration |
| Amazon S3 | Good | Excellent | Large-scale sites |
| Poor | Limited | Small backups only |
Email storage presents significant limitations for WordPress backups due to attachment size restrictions and the inability for UpdraftPlus to directly access stored files. For reliable backup management, cloud storage solutions offer superior performance and accessibility. When evaluating hosting providers for your WordPress site, checking resources like the Bluehost customer support contact information can help ensure you have adequate assistance available for backup-related issues.
How can I prevent backup issues during WordPress migration?
Proper planning and testing are essential for preventing backup issues during WordPress migrations. Before beginning any migration process, verify that all existing backups are accessible and test restoration on a staging environment. This verification ensures your backup strategy is working correctly and identifies potential issues before they affect your live site. Create multiple backup copies using different methods and storage locations to provide redundancy in case one method fails during the migration process.
Document your current WordPress configuration thoroughly, including all active plugins, theme details, and customizations. This documentation helps troubleshoot any issues that arise during migration and ensures you can recreate your site configuration if needed. Understanding how to determine if a website uses WordPress and its specific configuration can provide valuable insights when planning migration strategies and backup procedures for client projects.
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