# Supabase

How to connect Supabase managed PostgreSQL to SimpleBackups using the connection string method.

Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL. To connect it to SimpleBackups, all you need is the database connection string from your Supabase project settings — no firewall configuration is required. This guide walks you through copying the string and creating your first backup.

## Connecting your database

### Step 1: Copy the connection string

1. Go to your Supabase project and click **Settings**, then **Database**.
2. Scroll down to the **Connection string** section and click **URI**.
3. Make sure you select the **Direct connection** string, not the **Connection pooler** (Transaction or Session) string. Backups must use the direct connection. Connection strings that route through the pooler may pass validation but will fail at backup time with a database connection error.
4. Click **Copy**.
5. Replace `[YOUR-PASSWORD]` in the copied string with your actual database password.

**Warning:**
Do not use the **Connection pooler** string (the one containing `pooler.supabase.com`). Backups require the **Direct connection** string (typically `db.[project-ref].supabase.co`). Using the pooler can pass connection validation but will cause backups to fail.

![Supabase database settings showing the connection string URI section](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/www-notion-so/10b92e193051bff0a240.png)

### Step 2: Create a database backup in SimpleBackups

1. Select **PostgreSQL** as the database **Type** in SimpleBackups. If you do not see the connection string field, click **Paste connection string instead**.
2. Paste the full connection string you copied from Supabase.
3. Click **Validate Connection**, then configure your schedule and storage destination.

![SimpleBackups database connection form with PostgreSQL connection string pasted](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/www-notion-so/299711b7d8ce7d0ecd44.png)

**Info:**
You can click **Download CA certificate** next to the **Copy** button in Supabase and add the certificate to SimpleBackups as shown below. This step is optional but recommended.

![SimpleBackups CA certificate field for Supabase PostgreSQL](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/www-notion-so/86e4fccbf08c73f5ab9c.png)