Download a backup as a .zip

A plain .zip of the site’s files plus one database.sql, from any backup.

Updated Oct 11, 2026

Backups in storage are encrypted and split into chunks, so they can’t be opened directly. When you want a normal copy to keep, hand to someone, or move by hand, WP Foreman builds a .zip for you.

  1. Open the site’s Backups page and pick the day and backup you want.
  2. On the Overview tab, click Download as .zip.
  3. WP Foreman prepares the file and emails you when it’s ready (and the site’s owner too, if that’s someone else; you can both download it). The button on the page changes to Download .zip too.

The link works for 48 hours, and only while you’re signed in. After that the file is deleted. You can make a new one any time.

What’s inside

files/ Everything in the WordPress folder that was backed up
database.sql All backed-up tables in one file, ready to import with phpMyAdmin, Adminer or mysql
README.txt Short instructions for restoring by hand

Need one file, not the whole site? Use the Content tab instead. It’s instant.

Large sites take a while to pack. A 10 GB site can take 15–30 minutes. You don’t need to keep the page open.

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