Announcing Duplicator WP-CLI Commands (And How They Speed Up Backups)
Looking for a smarter way to manage site backups? Explore Duplicator's new features, including customizable WP-CLI commands and permission settings!
Announcing Duplicator WP-CLI Commands (And How They Speed Up Backups)
Joella Dunn
Joella Dunn
John Turner
John Turner
Ever wondered why you might need to copy a WordPress database? It’s not just a tech trick, it’s a crucial skill for any WordPress website owner.
Your WordPress database is where all your posts, pages, comments, and settings live. By learning how to copy it, you’re not just backing up data — you’re opening doors to easy WordPress site migrations, development, and much more.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to copy your WordPress database. From user-friendly plugins to more advanced techniques, you’ll find an approach that fits your comfort level.
Ready to master this essential WordPress skill? Let’s dive into the world of database copying!
Think of your WordPress database as the brain of your website. It’s a structured collection of tables that stores nearly everything that makes your site unique.
The database stores:
Essentially, if you can edit it through your WordPress dashboard, it’s probably stored in the database.
So, why would you want to copy your database? Let’s explain a few key reasons.
A copy acts as a database backup. If something goes wrong, you have a recent version to fall back on.
Ever felt that twinge of anxiety before starting an update? By copying your database first, you’re creating a save point. If things go south, you can roll back with confidence.
Thinking about switching to a new WordPress hosting provider? A database copy ensures all your content makes the journey intact.
To move WordPress databases, create a copy (or backup). Then you’ll simply have to upload the backup into the new location.
Want to try out a new theme or test a major redesign? Copy your database to create a staging environment. It’s your own private workshop where you can experiment freely without affecting your live site.
When facing stubborn database issues, sometimes the best approach is to work with a copy. It lets you dig deep without fear of breaking your live site.
Now that you understand why copying a WordPress database is so important, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to actually do it!
If you’re new to WordPress or prefer a straightforward, no-code solution, a database backup plugin is your best bet. And when it comes to reliable, user-friendly plugins for this task, Duplicator stands out from the crowd.
Why choose Duplicator? It’s a WordPress backup and migration plugin that lets you easily copy data on your site. You can use it to copy your database in seconds.
Plus, Duplicator has these extra features:
If you want to back up your database for free, there’s a free version of Duplicator. However, I’d recommend upgrading for easier backup customization and automatic backup schedules.
After you install Duplicator, create a new backup.
Feel free to customize the backup name with dynamic tags. You can also choose a cloud storage location to protect your database from local server errors.
Under the Backup section, you’ll see options for backing up your files, database, and other data. To copy your database, click on Database Only.
Click Next and then Create Backup. Once it’s done, you’ll see download links for the installer and archive files. Download both.
And there you have it! You’ve successfully created a copy of your database. You can now use this backup to restore WordPress data (if needed) or to migrate your database to a new location.
If you’re comfortable working directly with your database and want more control over the process, you can export your database manually.
PhpMyAdmin will help you with this process. It’s a web-based interface for managing MySQL databases and comes pre-installed with most web hosting packages.
To copy your WordPress database using phpMyAdmin, log into your hosting control panel (often cPanel) and look for the phpMyAdmin icon.
In the left sidebar, you’ll see a list of your databases. Click on the one associated with your WordPress site.
With your database selected, click the Export tab at the top of the page. This will take you to the export options.
Select the Custom export method. Ensure the format is set to SQL. This is the standard format for database backups and will make restorations easier.
In the Output section, save the output to a file.
Click Export at the bottom of the page. PhpMyAdmin will generate your database export as a .sql file. This file contains a complete copy of your WordPress database.
While phpMyAdmin offers flexibility, it does require more technical know-how. Always be cautious working directly with your database and make sure you have a full backup before making any changes.
Sometimes, you don’t just need a backup – you need an exact working copy of your database. This is where cloning comes in handy. It’s particularly useful when you want to create a testing environment.
For this process, open phpMyAdmin and select the database you want to clone. Next, open the Operations tab.
Scroll down to where it says Copy database to. In the blank field, create a name for the new database. Select Structure and data and CREATE DATABASE before copying.
Hit Go. This will clone your WordPress database and set it up on a new database. You can now use it for safe testing!
SSH (Secure Shell) provides a fast method for database exporting. This approach is particularly useful when phpMyAdmin times out due to the size of your database or server restrictions.
Open your terminal (on Mac or Linux) or an SSH client like PuTTY (on Windows). Connect to your server using the credentials provided by your host.
Once connected use the cd command to navigate to the directory where you want to save your database export. For example:
cd /home/username/backupsNow, we’ll use the mysqldump command to create a SQL file of your database. Here’s the basic structure:
mysqldump -u username -p database_name > backup_file.sqlReplace “username” with your MySQL username, “database_name” with your WordPress database name and “backup_file.sql” with your desired file name.
After running the command, you’ll be prompted to enter your MySQL password. Type it in (it won’t show on screen for security reasons) and press Enter.
For large databases, it’s a good idea to compress the SQL file. Use this command:
gzip backup_file.sqlThis will create a compressed file named backup_file.sql.gz
While the SSH method requires more technical knowledge, it’s incredibly powerful and efficient. It’s a skill worth developing if you’re serious about WordPress management.
You have several ways to export a WordPress database: use a plugin like Duplicator, export via phpMyAdmin, clone within phpMyAdmin, or use SSH commands. Choose the method that best fits your technical skils.
To copy a full WordPress site, you’ll need to back up both your database and your site files (themes, plugins, uploads, etc.). A plugin like Duplicator can easily handle this process. When you’re creating a backup, choose Full Site to save everything on your website.
To migrate your WordPress database, use Duplicator to create a database-only backup. Download this backup’s archive file. One a second site, install WordPress and drag and drop the backup file into it.
You can import a WordPress database by dropping a database backup into Duplicator’s Import Backups page. You can also use phpMyAdmin for exporting and importing your database as a SQL file.
To back up your WordPress database, create a new backup with Duplicator. When customizing the backup, only select the database. This will save all of the data in your original database!
Whether you’re using a user-friendly plugin like Duplicator, diving into phpMyAdmin, or flexing your SSH muscles, you now know how to protect your site’s valuable data.
While you’re here, I think you’ll like these extra WordPress guides:
Ready to take control of your WordPress database? Try out Duplicator Pro as an easy, reliable backup and migration solution!
Disclosure: Our content is reader-supported. This means if you click on some of our links, then we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that we believe will add value to our readers.
