How to Download Backup from Cloudways: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

How to Download Backup from Cloudways (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Backing up your website is one of the most important tasks for any website owner. Whether you run a WordPress blog, WooCommerce store, business website, or web application, having a recent backup ensures you can recover your data in case of accidental deletion, hacking, server issues, or failed updates.

If you are wondering how to download backup from Cloudways, this detailed guide will walk you through every available method. Cloudways offers both automated off-site backups and local backups, making it easy to keep your website data safe. Once local backups are enabled, you can download them using either SFTP or SSH.

In this guide, you will learn how to enable local backups, download them safely to your computer, remove local backups when no longer needed, and understand the difference between local and off-site backups.

Important Links and Information

What is Cloudways Backup?

Cloudways provides an automated backup system designed to protect your website data. These backups include:

• Website files
• Database
• Application configuration
• Web application data

There are two different backup types available.

Off-site Backups

These backups are stored securely on Cloudways' backup infrastructure and are created automatically according to your configured schedule.

Local Backups

Local backups are stored directly on your Cloudways server inside your application directory. These backups are useful when you need to download a copy quickly without restoring from remote storage.

When learning how to download backup from Cloudways, you will mainly work with local backups because they can be accessed directly through SFTP or SSH.

Why Download Your Cloudways Backup?

Downloading a backup provides an extra layer of protection.

Some common reasons include:

• Creating an offline copy
• Migrating to another hosting provider
• Testing on a local computer
• Keeping monthly archives
• Disaster recovery
• Website cloning
• Manual restoration
• Compliance requirements

Having a downloaded backup means you are not solely dependent on cloud storage.

Understanding Local and Off-Site Backups

Before proceeding, it is important to understand the difference.

Local backups are specifically designed for downloading and quick access.

Prerequisites Before Downloading Backup

Before following how to download backup from Cloudways, make sure you have:

• Cloudways account
• Server access
• Master Credentials
• SFTP client (such as FileZilla)
• SSH access (optional)
• Local backups enabled
• Enough storage space on your computer

Without enabling Local Backups, you cannot download the backup files directly.

Where Are Local Backups Stored?

Cloudways stores local backups inside your application folder.

The path is:

/applications/your_application_name/local_backups

Inside this folder, you will find:

• Website files backup
• Database backup

Cloudways only keeps the latest local backup available.

For example:

• Backup created at 2:00 PM
• Another backup created at 4:00 PM

Only the 4:00 PM backup remains.

How to Enable Local Backups?

Before downloading anything, Local Backups must be enabled.

Follow these steps:

Step 1

Login to your Cloudways Dashboard.

Step 2

Open the Servers tab.

Step 3

Choose your target server.

Step 4

Click Backups from the left menu.

Step 5

Locate the Local Backups option.

Step 6

Enable the toggle.

Cloudways will now create local copies whenever scheduled backups run.

Step 7

Click Save Changes.

Step 8 (Optional)

Click Take Backup Now if you need an immediate backup.

Otherwise, Cloudways will wait until the next scheduled backup.

How to Download Backup from Cloudways Using SFTP?

This is the easiest method for beginners.

Step 1

Open your preferred SFTP software.

Popular options include:

• FileZilla
• WinSCP
• Cyberduck

Step 2

Collect your Master Credentials.

You'll need:

• Server IP
• Username
• Password

These are available inside:

Server Management → Master Credentials

Step 3

Connect to your server.

Enter:

• Host
• Username
• Password
• Port 22

Click Connect.

Step 4

Navigate to:

/applications

Open your application folder.

Then open:

local_backups

Step 5

Locate the latest backup file.

Cloudways stores only the newest backup.

Step 6

Download the file.

Simply drag it to your desktop or another folder on your computer.

The download may take several minutes depending on backup size.

Step 7

Verify the backup.

Check:

• File size
• File integrity
• Download completed successfully

You have successfully completed how to download backup from Cloudways using SFTP.

How to Download Backup from Cloudways Using SSH?

Developers often prefer SSH because it is faster and works entirely through the terminal.

Step 1

Open Windows PowerShell.

Press:

Windows + R

Type:

powershell

Press Enter.

Step 2

Connect to your server.

Run:

ssh master@your_server_ip

Replace:

• master
• your_server_ip

with your actual credentials.

Step 3

Enter your password.

After successful login, you will see the terminal prompt.

Step 4

Navigate to applications.

cd applications

Step 5

List applications.

ls

Locate your application.

Step 6

Open your application folder.

cd your_application_name

Step 7

Open local backups.

cd local_backups

Step 8

View backup files.

ls -lh

The newest backup will appear.

Step 9

Open another PowerShell window.

Run:

scp master@your_server_ip:/applications/your_application_name/local_backups/backup_file_name C:\Users\YourUsername\Downloads

Replace:

• your_server_ip
• application name
• backup filename
• destination folder

Step 10

Enter your password.

The backup will begin downloading.

Step 11

Open your Downloads folder.

Verify the backup exists.

Congratulations. You now know how to download backup from Cloudways using SSH.

Understanding the SCP Command

The SCP command securely copies files between two systems.

General syntax:

scp username@server:/source/path destination/path

Example:

scp master@192.168.1.10:/applications/blog/local_backups/backup.tar.gz C:\Users\Admin\Downloads

Benefits include:

• Secure encryption
• Faster transfers
• Reliable downloads
• No graphical software required

How to Remove Local Backups?

Sometimes you may want to free server storage.

Cloudways makes this simple.

Steps

1. Login to Cloudways
2. Open your Server
3. Go to Backups
4. Find Local Backups
5. Click the Trash icon

The local backup will be removed.

Important:

Only the local copy is deleted.

Your automated off-site backups remain completely safe.

Best Practices for Cloudways Backups

Follow these recommendations.

Download Important Backups

Keep offline copies before:

• WordPress updates
• Plugin installation
• Theme changes
• Server migration

Verify Backup Files

Never assume a download completed correctly.

Check:

• File size
• Archive integrity
• Extractability

Store Multiple Copies

Maintain backups on:

• External drive
• NAS
• Cloud storage
• Local computer

Create Manual Backups

Before making significant website changes, click:

Take Backup Now

This gives you the most recent restore point.

Monitor Storage

Local backups occupy server storage.

Delete them if unnecessary after downloading.

Common Problems While Downloading Backups

Backup Folder Empty

Possible reasons:

• Local backups disabled
• Backup not yet created

Solution:

Enable Local Backups and click Take Backup Now.

Authentication Failed

Possible reasons:

• Incorrect password
• Wrong username

Solution:

Verify Master Credentials.

Permission Denied

Possible reasons:

• Wrong account
• Limited permissions

Solution:

Use Master Credentials.

Slow Download

Large websites naturally require more download time.

Solutions:

• Stable internet connection
• Wired network
• Download during off-peak hours

SCP Not Working

Possible reasons:

• Incorrect path
• Typing errors
• SSH disabled

Verify:

• Application name
• Backup filename
• Server IP

Benefits of Local Backups

Local backups provide several advantages.

They are:

• Easy to access
• Fast to download
• Available through SFTP
• Accessible through SSH
• Ideal for migrations
• Useful for testing
• Excellent for offline storage

Should You Keep Local Backups Enabled?

It depends on your workflow.

Enable Local Backups if:

• You download backups regularly.
• You often migrate websites.
• You need offline archives.
• You frequently test development changes.

Disable them if:

• Server storage is limited.
• You only rely on automated off-site backups.
• You rarely download backup files.