When installing a site with Duplicator, you need to connect to a database during the classic installation process. This typically occurs at Step 1 in Duplicator Pro and Step 2 in Duplicator Lite. Below are several options to set up the database:

Option 1: Using Your Host’s Control Panel

• Log in to your host’s control panel and navigate to the section for database management.
• Create a new database and note down the database name.
• Create a new database user or assign an existing user to the new database. Ensure this user has full permissions for the database, and note down the username and password.
• Open the installer.php file generated by Duplicator and use these credentials to test the connection to the new database. If successful, proceed with the installation.

Option 2: Overwrite Mode

• Overwrite Mode is used when you place the installer.php and archive file (.zip or .daf) into a directory where WordPress already exists.
• This mode allows you to overwrite the existing site and reuse the site’s database and wp-config.php file.
• During the installation, you’ll see the existing database and user details. Confirm these details and click Apply to use the existing database settings.

Note: This option will replace your current site and delete existing database data.

Option 3: Duplicator Pro with cPanel Integration

• Go to the installer page and navigate to Duplicator Pro » Advanced » cPanel.
• The cPanel integration will use the cPanel API to create a new database and user.
• Select the database and user from the dropdown boxes that appear.

Option 4: Import Backup Mode

• Switch the installation mode to Import Backup Mode. This mode uses the database settings from the currently installed WordPress site on which the import is taking place.

Option 5: Using Duplicator’s Database Creation Tool

• On Step 1 (Pro) or Step 2 (Lite) of the installer, select the option for Create New Database from the database action dropdown.
• Enter the name of the new database you want to create.
• Provide the name of an existing database user with the necessary permissions.

Note: Most hosting providers do not support creating a new database through this option due to server restrictions.

Video Resources

Follow Along Step-By-Step (starting @ 14:30 of 24:57)
How to Set Up Database in cPanel

Choose the option that best fits your needs and hosting environment.