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[Snapshot Pro] Restore to different environment?

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Can we get a snapshot and then restore it into a different filesystem and database? It doesn’t look like it.

I just got a full backup and then clicked Restore to see what we would face if the need arises. The folder name is fixed. I understand we can’t create new folders, etc. I’m assuming we would need to create a new WP installation, install Snapshot, and “somehow” attempt a restore using a file that’s named for a different environment?

How is that intended to work?

Since the snapshot includes all database tables, I believe they are restored as-is, to the same named database. So even if we create a new installation as noted above, would the restore go back into the original database or into the databsase defined in the current wp-config?

I’m guessing the database is not changed … is it expected that we should open the zip and do our own custom changes to load a new environment? Or was this only designed to restore/replace into exactly the same environment?

Might the zip format be compatible with Shipper?
If not, why not?

Thanks.

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 22:48:05
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Snapshot Pro
  • Adam
    • Support Gorilla

    Hi Tony G

    I hope yo’re well today!

    Can we get a snapshot and then restore it into a different filesystem and database? It doesn’t look like it.

    We can actually :)

    The way to do it is to go to the Hub’s “Backups” page for the site and click on “Restore” option for backup that you want to use.

    Then select “My website is unavailable” option. Lower in the popup you’ll see two “buttons”: one to download actual backup and one to download “snapshot-installer” – download them both. Next:

    – upload the backup file to any server you want (though preferably empty folder where the site is expected to be; you should also have a DB created – preferably empty)

    – upload “snapshot-installer.php” file from inside the standalone installer zip file to that very same location

    – run “snapshot-installer.php” zip in browser, like

    yournewdomain.com/snapshot-installer.php

    It may initially give an error about DB connection because, most likely, DB will use different credentials but that’s fine. Simply enter valid DB credentials in the form and continue. Once you click “deploy” it will install the site there from backup.

    You do not need to have any WP installation there (it’s even better if you don’t) and it can be any server/domain – same or different than original.

    —————-

    That’s one way. The other, even simpler, is to use FTP restore. Again, click on “Restore” for the backup that you want to us (in Hub “Backups” section) but select “Auto Restore via FTP” and provide FTP credentials.

    Just note please that It will also overwrite exiting WP install there entirely. Also, due to some limitations/restrictions of target server (beyond our control) it may not always work. But if it doesn’t then still the first method can be used.

    So here you go: two ways to restore Snapshot backups to “anywhere” with just a few clicks :)

    Best regards,
    Adam

    PS. It’s also possible to restore site fully manually using Snapshot backup, though that takes a bit more time. But you can extract zip file and manually place files on server, then import .sql files to the DB (using e.g. WP CLI or just phpMyAdmin). Though you will need to run some search&replace on DB afterwards to update paths/URLs/domains.