How to back up a WordPress site to your Mac and Google Drive

A WordPress site lives in two places: its files (themes, plugins, uploaded images) and its database (posts, pages, settings). A real backup copies both. Many backup plugins store the copy on the same server as the site, so when the server fails the backup goes with it.

What you need

• SSH or SFTP access to your server: most hosting plans include it. The control panel shows the address, user name and the site's folder (often public_html).
• Code Boop Backup on your Mac (free for 5 backups).
• Optionally Google Drive, iCloud Drive or Dropbox installed on the Mac, for a copy off site.

Step by step

1. Add the website. Enter the server, user name, your SSH key or password (kept in the Mac's Keychain) and the site's folder.
2. Click Test Connection. The app finds wp-config.php and reads the database name and login from it, so you don't have to type them.
3. Pick the places. Tick this Mac and, for example, Google Drive. Each place keeps the number of copies you choose.
4. Set the time and click Save Schedule. The backup now runs every day, even when the app is closed.
5. Click Back Up Now for the first copy.

No SSH on your hosting? Install the Code Boop WP Backup plugin instead and choose Add Website… → WordPress with the Plugin: the app then connects with the plugin's key. See backing up with the plugin.

Restoring

Select a backup and click Restore…. Before anything changes, the site as it is now is saved as a separate backup, so you can always go back. You choose whether to restore the files, the database or both.

Moving to a new host

Add the new server as a second website, then use Transfer to New Host…. The files and database are copied, the new server keeps its own database settings, and the WordPress address is changed everywhere (with WP-CLI when the server has it).