---
url: /gst-manager-whmcs/backup-and-restore.md
description: >-
  How GST Manager backs up before every update, restores automatically on
  failure, retains downloadable database backups, and how to roll back a
  successful update.
---

# Backup & Restore

GST Manager protects your install during updates with automated safeguards:

* **Pre-update snapshot:** Takes a full backup of files and module database tables before updating.
* **Automated recovery:** Restores files and database automatically if an update fails.
* **Database archives:** Retains downloadable SQL backups after successful updates.

## Backup before every update

Before every update, GST Manager creates a complete pre-update snapshot:

* **Automatic capture:** Runs automatically during **Update Now** under **Addons → GST Manager → Global Settings → Update Status**.
* **Full scope:** Backs up module files and all GST Manager database tables.
* **Zero configuration:** No manual backup trigger required. See [Updating](/gst-manager-whmcs/updating) for update details.

## Automatic restore on failure

If an update fails partway through, GST Manager reverts changes immediately:

* **State preservation:** Restores original files and database tables from the pre-update backup.
* **Zero downtime:** Leaves your installation exactly as it was before the update attempt.
* **Safe failure:** Failed updates act as a safe no-op with no orphan files.

::: tip
Because the backup is taken first, a failed one-click update never leaves you with a half-applied version.
:::

## Retained database backups

After a successful update, GST Manager cleans temporary files and saves database archives:

* **File cleanup:** Removes the pre-update file archive (re-download releases from your client area).
* **Database archive:** Keeps a snapshot listed under **Update Status → Database Backups**.
* **Download link:** Download archives directly via the **Download** action.

![Database Backups panel](/gst-manager-whmcs/img/gst-backup-database-backups.png)
*Addons → GST Manager → Global Settings → Update Status → Database Backups*

::: danger Store these privately
A retained database backup includes your **configuration and license details**. Download it only over a secure connection and **store it privately** — never in a publicly reachable location.
:::

## Where backups are stored

Backups live in `modules/addons/gst_manager_backups/` on your server:

* **Apache servers:** Access to this directory is blocked automatically via `.htaccess`.
* **nginx servers:** Request your host to explicitly **deny web access** to `modules/addons/gst_manager_backups/`.

::: warning
The backups directory holds sensitive data. If you're on nginx, confirm with your host that `modules/addons/gst_manager_backups/` is not web-accessible before relying on one-click updates.
:::

## Rolling back a successful update

To return to a previous release version manually:

1. **Download archive:** Obtain the prior release ZIP from your client area.
2. **Deploy files:** Extract and overwrite files in `modules/addons/gst_manager/` per [manual update steps](/gst-manager-whmcs/updating#manual-update).
3. **Database recovery:** If database rollback is needed, [contact support](/start/support) for assistance.

::: info
Rolling back is uncommon. If an update caused a problem, check [Troubleshooting](/gst-manager-whmcs/troubleshooting) first — most issues are resolved by a re-sync or a configuration fix rather than a full rollback.
:::

## Related pages

* [Updating](/gst-manager-whmcs/updating) — the one-click and manual update flows
* [Troubleshooting](/gst-manager-whmcs/troubleshooting) — resolving update issues
* [Licensing](/gst-manager-whmcs/licensing) — license details are part of a backup