# Incremental file backups

Back up only the files that changed since the last backup to save storage and time.

An incremental backup copies only the changes made since the previous backup. The first backup in a cycle is always a full backup of all files and folders. Subsequent backups record only what changed, making them faster and smaller than running a full backup every time.

## How SimpleBackups handles incremental backups

SimpleBackups creates a full backup at the beginning of each retention cycle, then builds a chain of partial backups that track file changes. Once the retention count is reached, a new full backup is created and the cycle starts over.

![Diagram showing a retention cycle of 10 backups with a full backup at the start](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/4108ca613072e4212ba8.png)

In the example above, the retention is set to 10. After 10 backups, the full backup is rebuilt and a new cycle begins.

## Create an incremental file backup

1. In your [SimpleBackups](https://my.simplebackups.com/) dashboard, click **Create**, then select **Files Backup**

![The Create menu with Files Backup selected](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/b4e6a8be991d1c594658.png)

2. Select your [connected server](https://simplebackups.com/docs/getting-started/architecture/connecting-your-workerserver), enable **Incremental File Backup**, enter your file paths and any exclusions, then click **Validate Connection**

![The file backup form with incremental mode enabled](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/de665aaea1ff5c162b74.png)

3. Name your backup and set a schedule and retention policy

![The backup name, schedule, and retention configuration](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/fd6eabf9635bd3e41065.png)

4. Select the storage provider for your backup files and click **Create Backup**

![The storage selection and Create Backup button](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/e99b6f06d114326c7dd5.png)

## Restore an incremental backup

You can restore any point-in-time snapshot from your incremental backup chain using a single command.

1. Go to your backup page and navigate to the **Logs** tab
2. Choose the point-in-time backup you want to restore and click the info icon

![The Logs tab showing incremental backup entries with the info icon](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/44c5915cf51442001c6b.png)

3. In the popup, navigate to the **Restore** tab, make sure **Automated restore** is selected, and copy the command

![The Restore tab with the automated restore command](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/04c40831c8a9bd544008.png)

4. Paste the command on your server. A prompt will ask for the restore destination — leave it blank to restore to the current directory

![Terminal prompt asking for the restore destination](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/367bc7c809c388ec19f5.png)

5. The script downloads all required backup files and extracts them to your chosen directory

![Terminal output showing the restore process completing](https://simplebackups.com/docs/docs-assets/media-helpkit-co/dd4d95133fded00923c2.png)

- [Create a file/server backup](https://simplebackups.com/docs/server-and-file-backup/create-a-fileserver-backup): Step-by-step guide to setting up a file or server backup.

- [Restore a file/server backup](https://simplebackups.com/docs/server-and-file-backup/restore-a-fileserver-backup): How to download and restore your file backups.