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  5. Can I Use FTP as an Off-Server Backup?

Can I Use FTP as an Off-Server Backup?

Note: It is against our Terms of Service to use our unlimited disk space packages to keep backups for off-site servers, as this would be considered file dumping.

It is both allowed and recommended to use FTP to generate your cPanel backups off the server. Setting up an external FTP server that your hosting package can upload backups to will help prevent the following:

  • Recursively including previous backups in your future backups.
  • Prevent backups from increasing the size of your account (potentially disqualifying you from our automated backups).
  • Help control your inode usage.

To use FTP to generate an off-server backup:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Look for the Files section, then click on Backup.

    cPanel's Backup Icon

  3. Click the Download a Full Website Backup button.

    cPanel - Full Backup - Download Full Backup

  4. On the next page, provide the required details.

    cPanel Backup - Backup Details
    From the Backup Destination dropdown, select Remote FTP Server (Passive Mode Transfer).

    In the new text areas, enter the following information:

    • Email Address: The address you would like to be notified of when the backup completes.
    • Remote Server: The address of the remote server.
    • Remote User: The FTP username for the remote server.
    • Remote Password: The FTP password.
    • Port: The port address to access the remote server at.
    • Remote Dir (or Directory): The directory you want to store the backup in on the remote server.

  5. Once done, click Generate Backup.