How To Do Magento Backup Before Magento Migration

By LitExtension

LitExtension
5 min readAug 18, 2020
Magento Backup Before Magento Migration

Introduction

In the eCommerce world, data security is one of the top priorities of all owners. With all platforms, especially open-source platforms such as Magento, the data security problems seem to be more important when users have to build-up the whole thing on their own.

As a result, backing-up your data is the most effective solution that minimizes the consequences of data loss.

In this article, I would like to describe the process of doing Magento backup in the two versions: Magento 1 and Magento 2 via the Admin site. Let’s begin! So, when do we have to create Magento backups?

  • On a regular basis. The Magento backup should be done regularly, based on the predetermined schedule and the scale of business. For example, medium-to-big Magento online stores are recommended to backup databases and files monthly or even weekly because they have a large amount of data. Meanwhile, small stores or beginners can do Magento backup with a more sparse frequency, such as quarterly backups.
  • Before installing extensions and updates. The Magento backup helps to save your data if new extensions cause some errors or missing your files.
  • Before upgrading to Magento 2 or migrating to another platform.

How to do Magento backup

  • Database backup files are compressed in the .gz format
  • System backup, database, and media backups use the .tgz format
  • Backups are stored in the var/backups directory and can be restored any time by using the command lines.
  • Magento disables its backup function by default. To enable this function, click Store > Configuration and navigate to the Advanced section, then click System and select Yes in the Enable Backup.
Enable Magento Backup
Enable Magento Backup
  • There are three options for you to backup in Magento.

Magento 1 backup

  1. From the Magento Admin Panel, select System > Tools > Backup.
Magento 1 Backup Admin site
Magento 1 Backup Admin site

2. Choose backup types, as I mentioned above.

Magento 1 Select types to backup
Magento 1 Select types to backup

3. A warning box will appear, read it carefully, then click OK.

Magento 1 Backup Warning box
Magento 1 Backup Warning box

4. Choose Backup Option

Magento 1 Backup options
Magento 1 Backup options

If you choose System Backup, there is an additional option for you to Exclude the media folder from backup.

Magento 1 Backup options
Magento 1 Backup options

Finally, you will receive a notification when the backup process finishes, and the list of files will be shown in the table.

Magento 1 Complete Backup
Magento 1 Complete Backup

Magento 2 backup

The backup process in Magento 2 has similar steps, but it comes with a different appearance compared to Magento 1.

  1. On the Magento Admin Panel, follow Select > Tools > Backup.
Magento 2 Backup Admin site

2. In the upper-right corner, select types to backup which are System Backup, Database, and Media Backup, Database Backup.

Magento 2 - Select backup type
Magento 2 — Select backup type

3. Choose Backup options.

Set a name for the backup file for easy reference. You can also Put your store into maintenance during the backup to avoid data change during the process.

Magento 2 Backup options
Magento 2 Backup options

How to schedule backups?

As I mentioned above, Magento owners should backup their site on a regular basis. Therefore, the function schedule backup will automatically save stores’ data flowing a cycle to avoid mistakes and negatively affect the customers’ buying experience.

Magento 1

  1. From the Admin site, go to System > Configuration.
Magento 1 Configuration
Magento 1 Configuration

2. In the Configuration, select Advanced > System.

Magento 1 Advanced
Magento 1 Advanced

3. Expand the Scheduled Backup Setting section

4. Select the type of backup as described in the backup process. Afterward, you need to set up Time, Frequency, and Maintenance mode for the backup. Finally, click Save Config.

Magento 1 Scheduled Backup Settings
Magento 1 Scheduled Backup Settings

Magento 2

  1. From the Admin Panel, go to Stores > Settings > Configuration
Magento 2 Admin Panel
Magento 2 Admin Panel

2. Click Advanced > System

Magento 2 Configuration
Magento 2 Configuration

3. Expand the Backup Settings section and fill in the information

Magento 2 Scheduled Backup Settings
Magento 2 Scheduled Backup Settings

Conclusion

Backing up databases and files is necessary. It reinforces the normal operation for the system and reduces risks and errors… The Magento backup process via the admin site is straightforward to complete with a few clicks in both versions of Magento 1 and Magento 2.

If your Magento backup is successfully done and you are planning to do a Magento migration, LitExtension is here to help you. The automated migration tool by LitExtension will migrate your data quickly, safely, and securely. Do not hesitate to contact us!

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LitExtension

Our Automated Shopping Cart Migration Service helps you move your online store to a better e-commerce platform with ease. Learn more at https://litextension.com