How to restore a backup in Modular DS

If you need to recover a backup generated by Modular DS, here is a step-by-step guide to restore the two main components of a backup: the database and the files of your website.

You can do it in several ways, depending on whether your website is still connected to Modular DS:

• Direct restore from the backup: the fastest option, available if your website is still connected to Modular DS.
• Restore from the panel with FTP and database credentials: for when the connection has been lost.
• Manual restore: with phpMyAdmin for the database and cPanel, Plesk, FTP, FTPS or SFTP for the files.

Direct restore from a backup

You can now restore a backup directly from the backup itself, without needing to enter FTP or database credentials. It is the fastest way to return your website to a previous state.

This method is only available if your website is still connected to Modular DS. If the connection has been lost, you will need to restore using the FTP and database credentials, following the process we explain below.

1. Open the backup you want to restore

Go to the backups section of the website you want to recover and locate the backup you need. You can start the restore from two places:

• Click the three dots on the backup and select "Restore to this version".

• Open the backup details and click the "Restore to this version" button.

2. Choose which parts to restore

A window will open with two options: "Full restore" or "Partial restore". With the partial restore you can choose which parts to recover, from the database to the WordPress files, plugins, themes, media, MU Plugins or content.

Once you have made your selection, click "Continue".

3. Confirm the restore

Before starting, Modular DS warns you that the restore removes the files and any change made in WordPress since the date of that backup (edits to posts and pages, new media uploads or WooCommerce orders), and that the action cannot be undone or stopped once it has started.

To confirm, type "restore" in the field and click "Restore backup". The restore will begin and you will be able to follow its progress in the pop-up that appears.

You can close and return to the pop-up at any time from the website overview in Modular DS, by clicking the link in the banner above.

Restoring from Modular DS with FTP and database credentials

If your website is not connected to Modular DS, you can restore a full backup by entering your server access credentials, without the need for other external tools. It is useful for recovering your website when something goes wrong or when you want to return to a previous state.

1. Set up the restore

Access the backups section of your website and go to the "Restoration" tab.

Add your server's FTP or SFTP credentials, or select a server you have previously added. This will allow Modular DS to upload the necessary files.

Then, add the database credentials of the database you want to restore and click "Save".

2. Restore the backup

Go back to the backup list of that website and select the backup you want to restore by clicking on its creation date.

Once inside the details of that backup, click "Restore to this version".

Before continuing, make sure the FTP/SFTP and database details are correct. Then click "Restore backup".

The process may take a few minutes. In the pop-up that appears, the parts that have been successfully restored are marked, so you can follow the progress step by step.

Restoring the database using phpMyAdmin

If you cannot restore the backup from Modular DS, you can also restore the database using phpMyAdmin, a tool available in most hosting services.

1. Download the SQL file

Access the backup details in Modular DS and download the ZIP file of the database.

Unzip the file on your computer to get the SQL file (for example, database.sql).

2. Import the database

Log into phpMyAdmin from your hosting panel and select the database corresponding to your website.

Go to the "Import" option, upload the downloaded SQL file and run the import. This will restore the database from your backup.

Restoring site files

You can restore your site files using the hosting file manager (cPanel, Plesk or similar) or via an FTP, FTPS or SFTP connection, depending on your preferences and the tools available on your hosting.

Option 1: File manager

1. Download and prepare the files

From Modular DS, download the ZIP files of the desired backup. You can download all the files or select specific parts, such as the plugins folder.

2. Restore the files

Access the file manager from the hosting panel and navigate to your site folder. In Plesk it is called "Files".

In cPanel it is called "File Manager".

Create a new folder, called, for example, "restoration".

In Plesk:

In cPanel:

Upload the backup ZIP files and unzip them inside this folder. In Plesk there is a "File > Extract Files" option.

In cPanel there is an "Extract" option. Here you will have to extract them one by one.

Once done, check that the WordPress structure (wp-content, wp-admin, wp-includes) is correct.

Rename the current site folders by adding "-old" at the end, so you can go back if needed, and move the files from the "restoration" folder to the corresponding locations. This way, your backup will be restored.

Once you see that everything is working, you can delete the "old" folder.

Option 2: FTP, FTPS or SFTP

1. Download and prepare the files

From Modular DS, download the ZIP files of the desired backup. You can download all the files at once or select specific parts, such as the plugins folder.

Unzip the backup ZIP files on your computer and make sure they keep the WordPress structure.

2. Connect and restore

Use an FTP client such as Filezilla to connect to your server. You will need the access credentials for FTP, FTPS or SFTP.

Once connected, look for your website in the server file tree and enter its public folder, where you will find the usual WordPress folders such as "wp-content", "wp-admin" and "wp-includes".

Rename the current folders you want to replace by adding "-old" at the end, so you can go back if needed, and move the backup files to the corresponding locations.

Once you have replaced the current files with the backup files, your website will return to its previous state and you will have completed the restore. Once you see that everything is working, you can delete the old folders and files you renamed with "-old".

Updated on: 24/07/2026