Backups and restore

FiniteHost backs up your files, databases and mail automatically every night. There is nothing to switch on. This guide explains what is covered, how long copies are kept, and how to get something back.

Before you start#

• Find your subscription ID: it is shown on the Backups page and under General information on the Dashboard, for example t3d2ca2b860. You will need it to request a restore.

What is backed up#

Backups are made with restic, encrypted before they are stored, and kept on a separate storage server, not on the server that runs your site. Each backup only stores what changed, so it does not use your plan's disk space.

How long copies are kept#

Every plan, from Spark to Scale and the Compute and Mail plans, gets the same nightly backups. Copies are thinned out as they age: one per night for the recent days, then one per week.

For example, on 27 October you can restore a database as it was on any night since 13 October, or as it was at the end of each of the 8 weeks before that.

Ask for a restore#

Restores are done by our team on request. There is no restore button in the panel yet.

1. Decide what you need back: a file or folder, a database, or a mailbox, and from which day.
2. Decide where it should go: in place (overwrites what is there now) or into a separate folder or database so you can compare first. If unsure, choose separate: nothing live is overwritten by surprise.
3. Email support@finitehost.com from your account's email address. The support@finitehost.com link on the Backups page fills in the subject with your subscription ID for you.
4. Include: your subscription ID, exactly what to restore (for example /sites/acme.in/public/wp-content/uploads/2026/10 or database t3d2ca2b860_wordpress), the day, and in place or separate.
5. Wait for our reply. We confirm when the restore is done and where the files are.

An example request:

Subject: Restore request t3d2ca2b860

Please restore the database t3d2ca2b860_wordpress as it was on
26 October 2026, into a new database next to it (not in place).

Keep your own copy too#

Our backups protect you against our failures and most accidents, but our Terms ask you to keep your own copy of anything important. It takes minutes:

1. Download your files over SFTP: connect (see Connect with SFTP) and drag the /sites and /apps folders to your computer.
2. Export your databases, with a WordPress backup plugin or Adminer: see Import and export a database.
3. Keep mail in a mail app. A desktop mail app that keeps a local copy, or an export from it, is your own mail backup.
4. Store the copy somewhere else, such as an external drive or cloud storage, and repeat monthly or before every big change.

When a plan ends#

If a plan is not renewed, it keeps running for a 7-day grace period, is then suspended until day 30 after the paid-until date, and its files, databases and mail are permanently deleted 14 days after that (day 44). See Renewals and expiry. Take your own copy before letting a plan lapse.

Troubleshooting#

• I deleted a file a few minutes ago: the last copy is from last night. Anything created and deleted since then cannot be restored.
• I need it back urgently: say so in the subject line of your email, and include everything listed above so we can start at once.
• I want to restore only part of a database: ask for it restored into a separate database, then copy the rows you need yourself.

What's next#

• Account security.
• Website security.
• Import and export a database.