Duplicator Quick Start

Covers both Duplicator Lite & Pro*

Create WordPress Backup

Backup Site (create package)

Click "Duplicator/Pro" ❯ "Packages" ❯ "Create New"
Enter a package name
Check "Default" storage endpoint ❯ click "Next"
Let the scanner run and click "Build"

The package files are now ready for installation. By default all files in your WordPress root directory will be archived and a copy of your Database. You do have the option to filter these items when creating the package.

Backup to Dropbox ^{Pro Only}

1. Link Dropbox to Duplicator Pro

Click "Duplicator Pro" ❯ "Storage" ❯ "Add New"
Enter storage name ❯ select "Dropbox" type
Click "Connect to Dropbox" ❯ click "Authorize Dropbox"
Click "Allow" & close authorization tab
Click "Finalize Setup" on the storage screen

A successful connection to Dropbox status will now show. This is a one time process.

2. Create Instant Package

Now build and upload a package to your Dropbox account.

Click "Duplicator Pro" ❯ "Packages" ❯ "Create New"
Enter a package name
Check "DropBox" storage endpoint ❯ click "Next"
Let the scanner run and click "Build"

At this point the package files will be automatically uploaded to Dropbox. You can then use the files to Install a Site. This process can also easily be replicated with Google Drive

Backup with a Schedule ^{Pro Only}

1. Create Template

A template is a reusable package configuration that can be used in instant or scheduled package creation

Click "Duplicator Pro" ❯ "Templates" ❯ "Add New"
Enter a template name & specifications ❯ click "Save"

2. Create Schedule

A schedule generates a package at a given frequency for easy automation

Click "Duplicator Pro" ❯ "Schedules" ❯ "Add New"
Enter schedule name, template, storage location(s) and frequency ❯ click "Save"

3. Test Schedule

To verify proper schedule operation

Click "Duplicator Pro" ❯ "Schedules" ❯ "Run Now" on the desired schedule
Click "Duplicator Pro" ❯ "Packages" ❯ menu to view running package build
Wait for the package to complete building

4. Database Only (Optional)

Schedule a backup of only the Database

Click "Duplicator Pro" ❯ "Templates" ❯ edit template assigned to schedule
Open "Archive Section" ❯ check the 'Enable File Filter' checkbox
On the right side look for a link that says "[root path]" and click it
This will be the root path of your site excluding all files
Click "Save Template" and follow Step 3 above to validate.

Install/Migrate a WordPress Site

Site Install

The following details how to restore a site in the same or new location using a Duplicator package (installer/archive). This install process assumes you have your core WorePress files archived and plan to install both files and database.

1. Download package files to local computer

After creating a package download the installer and archive files from any of the stored locations:

Default: Click on the "Installer" and "Archive" buttons to download your local computer.
* Dropbox: Log into dropbox.com and download the installer.php and archive.zip files.
* Google Drive: Log into Google Drive and download the installer.php and archive.zip files.
* Transfer: In professional you can transfer the files directly from server to server.

2. Upload package files to target location

Place the installer.php and archive.zip files in a directory where you would like to install/duplicate the WordPress site.

ON YOUR OWN COMPUTER (localhost)
Be sure you have PHP, Apache & MySQL installed on your local computer with software such as XAMPP, Instant WordPress or MAMP for MAC. Place the package.zip and installer.php into any empty directory under your webroot or where they can be served up by your local webserver then continue with Step 3 below.

ON A HOSTED SITE
FTP both the archive.zip and installer.php files to your hosting provider. Place the files in a new empty directory under your hosts webroot where they are accessible from a valid url such as http://your-domain/your-wp-path/installer.php. On some hosts the root directory will be a something like public_html -or- www. If your not sure what your root directory is then contact your hosting provider.

3. Browse to installer.php and install

Open a web browser (i.e Chrome, Firefox, IE) and browse to the 'installer.php' file such as:
http://mywebsite/my-wp-directory/installer.php.
On Step 1 ❯ Click the next button
On Step 2 ❯ Enter database setup info ❯ test connection ❯ click next

For the database setup enter in the parameters to an empty database. You can easily create a new one or simply contact your hosting provider to have them set it up for you and have them give you the setup info. Some hosting providers have specific instructions for connecting to their databases, so be sure ask them what to use.
On Step 3 ❯ Click the next button
On Step 4 ❯ Login remove installer files
Your site has been migrated

If you don't have a hosting provider selected, please see the recommended settings for a quality host.

Database Install

The following details how to backup only the database from "Site A" and deploy it to "Site B". Please note these steps will only move the database, so if your files are not in sync with the Database you will have issues. Please use the approach with caution and be sure that your files are not out of sync with the database.

1. Create New DB Only Package

Goto Duplicator ❯ Packages ❯ click "Create New" button
On Step 1 Setup ❯ Archive ❯ check "Archive Only the Database"
Build package then download installer and archive files

2. Transfer installer and archive to target location

Login to target location via FTP, cPanel or your hosts control panel tools.
Transfer installer and archive to target location
Open web browser and browse to http://yoursite.com/installer.php

3. Run Installer

Installer should have 'Database Only Mode' in upper right corner.
On Step 1 ❯ Click the next button
On Step 2 ❯ Enter setup info ❯ test connection ❯ click next
On Step 3 ❯ Click the next button
On Step 4 ❯ Login remove installer files
Only the database will be updated

Database & File Synchronization:
How do I know if my files and database are in sync? There is no real clear answer to this question however there are some general rules you can consider. Typically the file system is only updated when you do the following actions:

Add a new image/video/file to a page/post or media content
Install a new plugin or theme
Update a plugin setting that writes to files like the .htaccess file (i.e. security plugins)

So if any of these actions have been preformed then its likely that WordPress wrote to both your file-system and database. For example say you both have "Site A" and "Site B" where "Site B" is a mirror copy of "Site A". You then install a new plugin on "Site A" and create a Database only archive and try to move it over to "Site B" using the "Database Only Install" option.

In this scenario the files on "Site B" are not in sync with the database created on "Site A", because "Site B" does not have the plugin files. So if you try to install the "Site A" database onto "Site B" you may run into issues because "Site B" did not get the plugin files that "Site A" just installed. In many cases you can simply install the plugin on "Site B" and things will be in working order. However if you do allot of changes on "Site A" then it is recommend to go ahead and also update those files onto "Site B".

Two-Part Install

The option is designed for budget hosts that have issues building a full package due to CPU and I/O restrictions. It is basically the same as the 'Database Install' option above, however it also cover steps needed for manually moving your site files.

PART 1: Manually copy WordPress files

These steps show how to manually copy from source site to destination.

cPanel (Faster)

Login to the source site's cPanel, click "File Manager" and enter the site's directory^*
Select all files, right click, select "Compress", choose zip and set name to mysite.zip.
Download mysite.zip to your local computer
Upload mysite.zip to the new location^*
Extract mysite.zip and remove the mysite.zip

FTP

Login to an FTP Client
Copy the files from the source site to your computer^*
Copy files from your computer up to the destination site^*

*Website directories will likely be public_html, or public_html/sitename. If unsure about where site files are located talk to your host support.

PART 2: Copy the database with Duplicator

After you have all the files uploaded correctly to your new location you will then run all these steps to copy over the database.

1. Create New DB Only Package

Goto Duplicator ❯ Packages ❯ click "Create New" button
On Step 1 Setup ❯ Archive ❯ check "Archive Only the Database"
Build package then download installer and archive files

2. Transfer installer and archive to target location

Login to target location via FTP, cPanel or your hosts control panel tools.
Transfer installer and archive to target location
Open web browser and browse to http://yoursite.com/installer.php

3. Run Installer

Installer should have 'Database Only Mode' in upper right corner.
On Step 1 ❯ Click the next button
On Step 2 ❯ Enter setup info ❯ test connection ❯ click next
On Step 3 ❯ Click the next button
On Step 4 ❯ Login remove installer files
Only the database will be updated

After all steps are complete your site should be fully migrated. These two parts together allow you to move your WordPress site in a two stage process.

Also see:
Recommended hosting providers for Duplicator?

EXTRA RESOURCES:

* Feature only available in Duplicator Pro