Which protocol should I choose: FTP, FTPS, or SFTP?

SFTP is recommended. It encrypts the entire connection from the start and runs over SSH (port 22). FTPS adds SSL/TLS to standard FTP. Plain FTP is unencrypted and should only be used on trusted private networks.

How do I set up private key authentication for SFTP?

Generate an SSH key pair, add the public key to your server, and paste the private key into the plugin settings. The plugin supports RSA, DSA, and ECDSA key formats.

What is passive mode and when should I use it?

Passive mode lets the client initiate all connections, which is important behind NAT or firewalls. If backups fail with connection timeouts, switch to passive mode in plugin settings.

Can I back up to a NAS on my local network?

Yes. Most NAS devices (Synology, QNAP, etc.) support FTP and SFTP. Enter your NAS IP as the hostname and provide your NAS login credentials.

What if the connection times out during a backup?

The plugin uses 5 MB chunks with a 10-second timeout and automatic retry. Try switching to passive mode for FTP/FTPS. For SFTP, verify your server allows long-running SSH sessions.

My backup fails with a firewall error. What should I do?

For FTP/FTPS, switch to passive mode. For SFTP, ensure port 22 is open on the destination server. If you use a custom SSH port, enter it in the port field.

Does it back up my entire WordPress site?

Yes. By default it exports your complete site: database, media uploads, plugins, themes, and wp-content directory.

Can I use this on multiple WordPress sites?

Yes. The Pro license covers up to 50 sites per year.

Backup WordPress to FTP / SFTP | All-in-One WP Migration

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How it works

Four steps. Under five minutes. Works with any FTP, FTPS, or SFTP server.

1

Install All-in-One WP Migration Pro

Upload and activate the Pro extension on your WordPress site. It automatically installs everything you need. No extra plugins to manage.

2

Enter your server details

Go to All-in-One WP Migration, open the FTP settings, and enter your hostname, port, username, and either your password or private key. Choose between FTP (port 21), FTPS (port 21 with SSL), or SFTP (port 22). SFTP users can authenticate with a private key and optional passphrase instead of a password.

3

Choose what to back up

By default, the plugin exports your entire site: database, all media uploads, every plugin, every theme, and the full wp-content directory. You can optionally exclude spam comments, inactive themes, inactive plugins, or cache files to reduce backup size.

4

Set a schedule and forget about it

Pick your backup frequency (hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly) and choose the time of day. Backups run automatically in the background. Optional email notifications alert you on success or failure.

Full site backup by default

Everything is included. No configuration needed for a complete backup.

Database

Complete MySQL export: posts, pages, users, settings, WooCommerce orders, custom post types, and every table.

Media uploads

All images, videos, PDFs, and files in wp-content/uploads. Original files and generated thumbnails included.

Plugins & themes

Every active and inactive plugin, every installed theme. Custom code, child themes, and modifications all preserved.

wp-content

Configuration files, custom fonts, and any non-standard files in your wp-content directory.

Three protocols, one plugin

Choose the protocol that fits your server. All three work with the same plugin settings page.

FTP (port 21)

Standard File Transfer Protocol. Widely supported by every hosting provider and NAS device. Supports active and passive mode for NAT and firewall compatibility.

FTPS (port 21, SSL)

FTP with explicit SSL/TLS encryption. Same port as FTP, but the connection is encrypted after the initial handshake. Supports active and passive mode.

SFTP (port 22)

SSH File Transfer Protocol. Encrypted from the start. Authenticate with a password or a private key (with optional passphrase). The most secure option.

Automated scheduling

Set it once. Your backups run on their own.

Flexible frequency

Hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly. Pick exact time of day. Combine multiple schedules. Runs in the background without affecting your site.

Email notifications

Get alerted when a backup completes or fails. Enable separately for success and failure. Know your site is protected without checking manually.

Smart retention

Three cleanup rules: keep last N backups, cap total storage size, or delete backups older than N days. Your FTP server stays organized automatically.

Restore from FTP / SFTP

When you actually need that backup. Three clicks to get your site back.

1

Open Import and select FTP

Go to All-in-One WP Migration, then Import in your WordPress dashboard. The plugin shows your FTP backup folder with all available restore points, each timestamped.

2

Select a backup and confirm

Pick the backup you want to restore. Review the confirmation prompt. You can cancel at any point before the restore begins.

3

Your site is restored

The plugin downloads from your FTP server and restores your database, media, plugins, and themes. Your site is back exactly as it was. You can also restore to a different WordPress site. The plugin handles URL replacement automatically.

All-in-One WP Migration Pro

FTP / SFTP + Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, OneDrive, and 11 more. One subscription.

See Plans & Pricing

No file size limits

Sites of any size work, from 50 MB to 50 GB+.

Chunked uploads

Large backups upload in 5 MB chunks using binary transfer mode. Non-blocking operations with a 10-second timeout per chunk keep the connection stable.

Resumable transfers

If the connection drops, the upload resumes from the last successful chunk, not from the beginning. Automatic retry up to 5 times.

Active and passive mode

Toggle between active and passive FTP mode in the plugin settings. Passive mode is recommended for servers behind NAT or firewalls.

Incremental backups

Optional: only upload changed files each time. The plugin tracks what has been backed up and skips unchanged files. Faster backups, less storage.

Your server, your backups

No cloud storage subscription needed. Use the infrastructure you already have.

Hosting accounts

Back up to a second hosting account. Most shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting plans include FTP or SFTP access at no extra cost.

NAS devices

Synology, QNAP, and other NAS devices support FTP and SFTP out of the box. Keep backups on your local network.

Dedicated servers

Full control over backup storage, retention, and access. Ideal for organizations that need to keep data on their own hardware.

Questions

Which protocol should I choose: FTP, FTPS, or SFTP?
SFTP is recommended for most users. It encrypts the entire connection from the start and runs over SSH (port 22), which is open on nearly every server. FTPS adds SSL/TLS encryption to standard FTP but can be tricky with firewalls. Plain FTP is unencrypted and should only be used on trusted private networks.
How do I set up private key authentication for SFTP?
Generate an SSH key pair on your local machine (or use an existing one). Add the public key to the authorized_keys file on your server. In the plugin settings, select SFTP, paste your private key into the key field, and enter the passphrase if your key is protected. The plugin supports RSA, DSA, and ECDSA key formats.
What is passive mode and when should I use it?
Passive mode lets the client (your WordPress server) initiate all connections. This is important when your server is behind a NAT router or firewall that blocks incoming connections. If your FTP backups fail with connection timeouts, switching to passive mode usually fixes the issue. Toggle it in the plugin settings.
Can I back up to a NAS on my local network?
Yes. Most NAS devices (Synology, QNAP, etc.) support FTP and SFTP. Enter your NAS IP address as the hostname, configure the port, and provide your NAS login credentials. Your WordPress server must be able to reach the NAS on the network.
What if the connection times out during a backup?
The plugin uses 5 MB chunks with a 10-second timeout per chunk and automatic retry. If timeouts persist, check your server firewall rules and try switching to passive mode for FTP/FTPS. For SFTP, verify that your server allows long-running SSH sessions.
My backup fails with a firewall error. What should I do?
For FTP and FTPS, switch to passive mode in the plugin settings. Passive mode avoids the need for your server to accept incoming data connections. For SFTP, ensure port 22 is open on the destination server. If you use a custom SSH port, enter it in the port field.
Does it back up my entire WordPress site?
Yes. By default, the plugin exports your complete site: the database (all tables), all media uploads, all plugins, all themes, and the full wp-content directory. You can optionally exclude spam comments, inactive themes, inactive plugins, or cache files.
Can I use this on multiple WordPress sites?
Yes. The Pro license covers up to 50 sites per year. Each site can connect to the same or different FTP/SFTP servers. Usage resets on subscription renewal.