MainWP Solid Backups Extension
Run, schedule and restore Solid Backups backups for every child site without opening each site’s WP Admin.
Manage Solid Backups settings, schedules and restores in one place
The MainWP Solid Backups Extension is a free MainWP add-on that lets you run and schedule Solid Backups (formerly BackupBuddy) backups for every child site from one place. Plugin settings, remote storage, backup downloads and file restores sit on the same screens in your MainWP Dashboard.
Backup settings that live on every site
When Solid Backups runs on many client sites, its settings and schedules live on each one, so changing a setting, starting a backup or finding a backup file means logging in to that site. The MainWP Solid Backups Extension sets Solid Backups settings once for all sites, backs up many sites at once, and adds one schedule to every site you select. Sites that need something different get their own settings from your MainWP Dashboard.
Features
The MainWP Solid Backups Extension covers the whole Solid Backups routine: settings, backups, schedules, remote storage and backup files.
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Site overview | See every child site that has the plugin installed in one list. The row shows an Update Plugin action when a new plugin version is available and an Activate Plugin action when the plugin is deactivated. From the actions menu you can hide or unhide the plugin on a child site, or open its plugin settings or WP Admin. |
| Backup status columns | The Latest Backup and Edits since last Backup columns show when each site was last backed up and what has changed on it since. |
| Global settings with per-site overrides | Manage Solid Backups settings for all sites, including General, ImportBuddy, Email Notifications, Local Archive Storage Limits, database and file defaults, Advanced & Troubleshooting, and Licensing. Turn on Override general settings for any site that needs its own. |
| Backups on demand | Back up selected child sites at once, or one site from its own page, using a database, complete or custom backup profile. |
| Backup schedules | Add one schedule to many sites with a name, backup profile, interval, first run time and optional remote destination, and choose whether to delete the local copy after a successful upload. Editing a global schedule’s site selection adds it to new sites and removes it from sites you unselect. |
| Remote storage | Manage remote destinations, including Solid Backups Stash, Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Drive, FTP, sFTP, Rackspace, email and a local directory. |
| Backup files | Download a site’s backup files, send them to a remote location, or browse a backup and restore selected files. |
Requirements
The MainWP Solid Backups Extension goes on your MainWP Dashboard and works with the Solid Backups plugin on each child site.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| License | Free, included in MainWP Essentials and MainWP Pro |
| Solid Backups subscription | An active Solid Backups subscription from StellarWP |
| MainWP Dashboard | The MainWP Solid Backups Extension installed on your Dashboard site |
| Child sites | The Solid Backups plugin (formerly BackupBuddy) installed and activated on each child site you want to manage |
| Remote storage | Some storage providers need a one-time authentication on the child site itself. After that, you finish the setup from your Dashboard. |
Setup: plugin, settings and schedules
Setting up the MainWP Solid Backups Extension starts with getting the plugin onto your child sites, then moves to shared settings, per-site exceptions and schedules.
Install the add-on and the Solid Backups plugin
- Install the MainWP Solid Backups Extension on your MainWP Dashboard, the same way as any other MainWP add-on.
- Go to Sites > Plugins > Install Plugins > Upload .zip file and upload the Solid Backups plugin.
- Select your child sites, keep Activate after installation selected in the Installation Options box, and complete the installation.
- Sync your sites so your Dashboard detects the plugin.
Set Solid Backups settings for all sites
- Go to MainWP > Add-ons > MainWP Buddy > Settings.
- Set your preferences and click Save General Settings or Save Advanced Settings for the section you changed.
Give one site its own settings
- Go to MainWP > Sites > Manage, find the site, and click Edit in its actions menu.
- Open the Buddy page and click the Settings tab.
- Turn on Override general settings; the change saves automatically.
- Set your preferences and click Save General Settings or Save Advanced Settings for the section you changed.
Schedule backups for several sites
- Go to MainWP > Add-ons > Buddy and click Schedules.
- In Add New Schedule, enter a schedule name, choose a backup profile and interval, and set the date and time of the first run.
- Optionally, choose a remote destination and whether to delete the local backup after a successful upload.
- Enable the schedule, select the child sites, and click Add New Schedule.
Full instructions for backups, schedules and backup files: MainWP Solid Backups Extension documentation.
Where the backups run
The MainWP Solid Backups Extension runs on your MainWP Dashboard and controls the Solid Backups plugin on each child site, where the backups are made. The add-on’s screens still use the earlier Buddy and BackupBuddy names, with the same functionality. While the add-on is active on your Dashboard, Pro Reports client reports can include a Backups section.
Solid Backups Extension FAQ
Should you use the MainWP Solid Backups Extension or MainWP Built-In Backups?
Use the MainWP Solid Backups Extension if your sites already run Solid Backups and you’d like to keep using it. For a new setup, MainWP Built-In Backups back up and restore every site from your MainWP Dashboard with no backup plugin on your child sites, and they’re part of the free MainWP Core. Choose your primary backup system in Backup Settings.
Is this the same add-on as the MainWP Buddy Extension?
Yes, the MainWP Solid Backups Extension was previously called the MainWP Buddy Extension, when it worked with BackupBuddy. After StellarWP acquired iThemes, BackupBuddy was renamed Solid Backups, and the add-on works the same way.
Can I restore individual files from a backup?
Yes, the MainWP Solid Backups Extension restores individual files: on the site’s Buddy page, click Backup, find the backup, and choose Browse & Restore Files. Select the files you want and click Restore Selected.
What do I need to pay for?
The MainWP Solid Backups Extension is free, included in MainWP Essentials and MainWP Pro. The Solid Backups plugin it controls needs an active Solid Backups subscription from StellarWP.
Where do I get support?
The Solid Backups team at StellarWP handles issues with the Solid Backups plugin itself. MainWP support handles issues with the MainWP Solid Backups Extension.