Getting Started

How SimpleBackups works, and the concepts you'll meet everywhere else in these docs.

This section covers the platform itself rather than any single backup type. If you are looking for instructions for a specific technology — MySQL, S3, GitHub, a DigitalOcean snapshot — head to the relevant backup-type section instead. Start here to understand the machinery all of them share.

Architecture

How backups actually run, and where your data goes.

Backup lifecycle & data flowFollow a backup from schedule to storage, and see which path your data takes.›Backup workersServerless, your own SSH server, or the local agent — and when to pick each.›Connect your serverEvery way to connect a server, including unattended provisioning commands.›Agent installation & usageInstall and manage the SimpleBackups Agent where SSH is not an option.›Our infrastructureWhere our servers and managed storage are located, and how to pick a region.›

Core features

The settings you will configure on nearly every backup.

SchedulingPreset and cron schedules, and attaching several schedules to one backup.›RetentionControl how many copies are kept and when older ones are rotated out.›Backup storagePick a destination, and mirror backups to more than one provider.›NotificationsEmail, Slack, Teams, Telegram, and webhooks — and which events to send.›Backup restoreHow restore works across every product, with links to each procedure.›Teams, Projects & usersRoles, permissions, and scoping resource access with Projects.›

Going further

Backup automationDrive backups from your own systems with the API, Trigger URLs, or MCP.›Incremental backupsBack up only what changed, and what that means for restores.›Custom scriptsRun your own commands before or after a backup.›Anomaly detectionCatch backups that report success but are not actually usable.›Recovery & Compliance BoardReview backup coverage and recovery readiness across a project.›

Security & privacy

Backup encryptionEncrypt backups with your own key before they leave your infrastructure.›How your data is processedWhat SimpleBackups accesses, and what it never stores.›Restricting permissionsGrant SimpleBackups the minimum access it needs.›UninstallingRemove a server and revoke our access to it.›

Account & billing

SubscriptionsPlans, limits, and what happens when you exceed one.›Invoices & receiptsDownload invoices, receive them by email, and set your company name.›Account & billing FAQCoupons, failed payments, and transferring Team ownership.›Account cancellationCancel a subscription, or delete your account entirely.›