PluginProbe ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ
WP STAGING – WordPress Backup, Restore, Migration & Clone / 4.9.3
WP STAGING – WordPress Backup, Restore, Migration & Clone v4.9.3
4.9.3 4.9.2 4.9.1 4.9.0 4.8.1 trunk 3.0.0 3.0.1 3.0.2 3.0.3 3.0.4 3.0.5 3.0.6 3.1.0 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.10.0 3.2.0 3.3.1 3.3.2 3.3.3 3.4.1 3.4.3 3.5.0 3.6.0 3.7.1 3.8.0 3.8.1 3.8.2 3.8.3 3.8.4 3.8.5 3.8.6 3.8.7 3.9.0 3.9.1 3.9.2 3.9.3 3.9.4 4.0.0 4.1.0 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.1.4 4.2.0 4.2.1 4.3.0 4.3.1 4.3.2 4.4.0 4.5.0 4.6.0 4.7.0 4.7.1 4.7.2 4.7.3 4.8.0
wp-staging / readme.txt
wp-staging Last commit date
Backend 1 day ago Backup 1 week ago Basic 1 day ago Component 3 weeks ago Core 1 day ago Framework 1 day ago Frontend 6 months ago Notifications 9 months ago Staging 1 day ago assets 1 day ago languages 1 week ago resources 1 year ago vendor_wpstg 1 day ago views 1 day ago CONTRIBUTING.md 2 years ago Deactivate.php 9 months ago README.md 4 months ago SECURITY.md 1 day ago autoloader.php 2 months ago bootstrap.php 1 day ago commonBootstrap.php 2 weeks ago constantsFree.php 1 day ago freeBootstrap.php 1 week ago install.php 3 weeks ago opcacheBootstrap.php 1 day ago readme.txt 1 day ago runtimeRequirements.php 3 months ago uninstall.php 1 day ago wp-staging-error-handler.php 7 months ago wp-staging.php 1 day ago
readme.txt
304 lines
1 === WP STAGING - WordPress Backup, Restore, Migration & Clone ===
2
3 Contributors: WP-Staging, WPStagingBackup, ReneHermi, lucatume, lucasbustamante, alaasalama, fayyazfayzi
4 Donate link: https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress
5 License: GPLv2 or later
6 License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
7 Tags: backup, wordpress backup, restore, move, transfer
8 Requires at least: 3.6
9 Tested up to: 7.0
10 Stable tag: 4.9.3
11 Requires PHP: 7.0
12
13 WordPress backup, restore & migration in minutes. Clone or duplicate your site and test updates safely on a staging copy. 100% unit-tested.
14
15 == Description ==
16
17 <h3>WordPress Backup, Restore, Staging, Cloning & Migration — All in One</h3>
18
19 WP STAGING is the all-in-one WordPress backup, restore, staging, cloning, and migration plugin, built for professional workflows with 100% unit-tested code, thousands of automated tests, and extensive end-to-end testing across supported PHP versions.
20
21 Create a full backup or an exact clone or copy of your website in minutes. Use it to duplicate your site, test plugin and theme updates safely, restore your site when needed, move or migrate WordPress to another server, transfer your site to a new host, or build a staging copy before making changes. WP STAGING also works as a WordPress duplicator, so you do not need a separate duplicator plugin to copy your website.
22
23 WP STAGING reliably backs up, clones, and migrates WooCommerce stores too, including orders, products, and customer data.
24
25 WP STAGING is developed in Germany and designed for agencies, developers, and businesses that need reliable WordPress backup, recovery, staging, restore, and migration workflows.
26
27 [WP STAGING | PRO](https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress "WP STAGING - Backup & Cloning") also includes advanced workflows such as [Remote Sync](https://wp-staging.com/docs/pull-a-wordpress-site-from-one-server-to-another/ "Remote Sync - Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another"), which lets you pull a WordPress site securely from one server to another using an API key, and [WP STAGING CLI](https://wp-staging.com/cli/upgrade "WP STAGING CLI - Local Docker Development for WordPress"), which can turn a WP STAGING backup into a local Docker-based development site.
28
29 All data stays on your server unless you choose a transfer or remote storage workflow. WP STAGING is designed for speed, reliability, and low-resource environments, including shared hosting.
30
31 WP STAGING automatically performs search and replace for links and paths during cloning, backup, restore, and migration workflows.
32
33 **This staging and backup plugin can clone your website quickly and efficiently, even if it is running on a weak shared hosting server.**
34
35 [vimeo https://vimeo.com/999447985]
36
37 == Frequently Asked Questions ==
38
39 = Why should I use a staging site and backup workflow? =
40
41 Plugin updates, theme changes, and custom code should be tested before they reach your live site. A staging workflow lets you clone your production website, test changes safely, and keep a working backup ready in case something goes wrong. Safe updates and update testing on a staging copy protect your live site from broken releases.
42
43 Usually, it is best to run the staging site on an environment as close as possible to the production server. That is the best way to catch compatibility issues before they affect your live site.
44
45 WP STAGING combines backup, restore, staging, and migration in one workflow, so you can protect your live website, reduce downtime risk, and ship changes with more confidence.
46
47 = Is WP STAGING a backup plugin? =
48
49 Yes. WP STAGING started as a staging plugin and grew into a complete WordPress backup plugin, with restore, staging, cloning, and migration in one tool.
50
51 Even the free version lets you create backups and restore them when needed. [WP STAGING | PRO](https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress "WP STAGING - Backup & Cloning") adds more advanced backup workflows, cloud storage destinations, migration tools, and developer-focused features.
52
53 = How is WP STAGING different from other backup plugins? =
54
55 WP STAGING combines backup, restore, staging, cloning, and migration in one workflow. While many backup plugins focus mainly on archive-based backups or simple migration, WP STAGING also helps you create a working staging copy, test updates safely, and restore your site when needed.
56
57 Some backup plugins focus mainly on creating backup archives, while WP STAGING also creates working staging copies for safer testing and rollback workflows. This is especially useful when you want production-like validation before pushing changes live.
58
59 Some backup plugins may not fully support custom tables in all scenarios. WP STAGING is designed to work reliably with staging workflows and custom table prefixes used by its own cloned environments.
60
61 [WP STAGING | PRO](https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress "WP STAGING - Backup & Cloning") also includes advanced workflows such as [Remote Sync](https://wp-staging.com/docs/pull-a-wordpress-site-from-one-server-to-another/ "Remote Sync - Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another") and [WP STAGING CLI](https://wp-staging.com/cli/upgrade "WP STAGING CLI - Local Docker Development for WordPress"), which can turn a backup into a local Docker-based development site. That makes WP STAGING especially attractive for developers, agencies, and site owners who want more than a basic backup plugin.
62
63 = How do I back up and restore a WordPress site? =
64
65 After installing WP STAGING, go to the backup section in the plugin and create a full-site backup. You can then restore that backup if a plugin update, theme change, deployment, or unexpected issue breaks your site.
66
67 WP STAGING is designed to make backup and restore simple, even on shared hosting and large WordPress installations.
68
69 = What is Remote Sync in WP STAGING Pro? =
70
71 Remote Sync is a Pro feature that lets you pull a WordPress site securely from one server to another using an API key. Instead of manually exporting databases and copying files, you connect the two sites and start the sync from inside WP STAGING.
72
73 This is especially useful for agencies, developers, and site owners who want a faster and more reliable workflow for moving content between WordPress installs.
74
75 Learn more:
76 [Remote Sync: Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another](https://wp-staging.com/docs/pull-a-wordpress-site-from-one-server-to-another/ "Remote Sync - Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another")
77
78 = How can I turn a backup into a local Docker development site? =
79
80 [WP STAGING | PRO](https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress "WP STAGING - Backup & Cloning") includes access to [WP STAGING CLI](https://wp-staging.com/cli/upgrade "WP STAGING CLI - Local Docker Development for WordPress"), which can turn a WP STAGING backup into a local Docker-based WordPress site with one command.
81
82 This is ideal for debugging, QA, development, and reproducing client issues locally. It helps you create repeatable local environments without building custom Docker setups for every project.
83
84 Learn more:
85 [WP STAGING CLI – Upgrade Now](https://wp-staging.com/cli/upgrade "WP STAGING CLI - Upgrade Now")
86
87 = How do I move, migrate, or transfer a WordPress site to a new host? =
88
89 [WP STAGING | PRO](https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress "WP STAGING - Backup & Cloning") includes migration and transfer workflows that help you move a WordPress website to another host, transfer your WordPress site to a new host, change the domain, or move to another server. You can move your website between hosts without manual database exports.
90
91 If you want a guided step-by-step walkthrough, see:
92 [How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Host](https://wp-staging.com/docs/how-to-migrate-your-wordpress-site-to-a-new-host/ "How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Host")
93
94 = How do I duplicate or clone a WordPress site? =
95
96 WP STAGING works as a WordPress duplicator: it can duplicate or clone a WordPress site in a few clicks and create an exact copy of your site for testing, development, or as a safety net. Duplication runs in the background, so you can duplicate even large WordPress sites on shared hosting. If you have used a plugin like Duplicator before, WP STAGING covers the same clone and copy workflows and adds backup, restore, and staging.
97
98 = Is WP STAGING a good Duplicator alternative? =
99
100 Yes. If you are looking for a Duplicator alternative, WP STAGING covers the same use cases: duplicate a WordPress site, create a full-site copy, and move or transfer it to another host. In addition to the duplicator workflow, you get one-click staging sites, scheduled backups, and restore in the same plugin.
101
102 = Why do I need a backup plugin at all? =
103
104 Consistent website backups are the foundation of a robust disaster recovery strategy. They protect your website against failed updates, user mistakes, malware cleanup, hosting issues, hardware failures, software malfunctions, and data loss.
105
106 Backups should include website files, databases, user data, and configuration data. A combination of full backups and incremental backups can improve storage efficiency while keeping restore points current.
107
108 If your website generates leads, sales, traffic, or customer trust, regular backups are not optional. A reliable backup, restore, and recovery workflow lets you roll back your WordPress site and can save hours of downtime and expensive recovery work.
109
110 = Can I activate permalinks on the staging site? =
111
112 Permalinks are disabled on the staging site after the first cloning process.
113
114 Read this guide to activate permalinks on your staging site:
115 [Activate Permalinks on the Staging Site](https://wp-staging.com/docs/activate-permalinks-staging-site/ "Activate Permalinks on the Staging Site")
116
117 = I cannot log in to the staging or backup site =
118
119 If you use a security plugin such as Wordfence, iThemes Security, All In One WP Security & Firewall, or a plugin that hides the default WordPress login URL, make sure you are running the latest version of WP STAGING.
120
121 If you still cannot log in, go to WP STAGING > Settings and disable WP STAGING extra authentication. Your admin dashboard will still remain protected.
122
123 = Can I just use my local WordPress development system for testing and backup? =
124
125 You can always test your website locally, but if your local hardware and software environment is not an exact clone of your production server, there is no guarantee that every aspect of your local copy will behave the same way.
126
127 Differences in PHP version, server stack, memory, CPU performance, and filesystem behavior can all lead to unexpected results on production. That is why staging on infrastructure close to production remains valuable.
128
129 [WP STAGING | PRO](https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress "WP STAGING - Backup & Cloning") also gives you a more advanced local workflow through [WP STAGING CLI](https://wp-staging.com/cli/upgrade "WP STAGING CLI - Local Docker Development for WordPress"), which can turn a backup into a local Docker-based development site.
130
131 = Is WP STAGING available in multiple languages? =
132
133 Yes. WP STAGING is available in multiple languages, and several translations are already complete or nearly complete.
134
135 You can view translated plugin pages here:
136
137 [English](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING on WordPress.org")
138 [French](https://fr.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING en Français")
139 [German](https://de.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING auf Deutsch")
140 [Spanish](https://es.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING en Español")
141 [Croatian](https://hr.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING na hrvatskom")
142 [Dutch](https://nl.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING in het Nederlands")
143 [Finnish](https://fi.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING suomeksi")
144 [Greek](https://el.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING στα Ελληνικά")
145 [Hungarian](https://hu.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING magyarul")
146 [Indonesian](https://id.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING dalam Bahasa Indonesia")
147 [Italian](https://it.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING in Italiano")
148 [Persian](https://fa.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING به فارسی")
149 [Polish](https://pl.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING po polsku")
150 [Portuguese (Brazil)](https://br.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING em Português do Brasil")
151 [Russian](https://ru.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING по-русски")
152 [Turkish](https://tr.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING Türkçe")
153 [Vietnamese](https://vi.wordpress.org/plugins/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING bằng Tiếng Việt")
154
155 If you want to help improve translations, please get in touch with us through the support forum.
156
157 = Can I give feedback for WP STAGING? =
158
159 Yes. If something does not work as expected, please open a support request and describe the issue in as much detail as possible.
160
161 We continuously improve WP STAGING based on user feedback, real-world hosting environments, and developer use cases.
162
163 Open support:
164 [WP STAGING Support Forum](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/wp-staging/ "WP STAGING Support Forum")
165
166 == WP STAGING FREE - BACKUP & STAGING FEATURES ==
167
168 * Clone the entire production site into a subdirectory like example.com/staging-site.
169 * High-performance backup and cloning, even for websites with very large databases.
170 * Create full or partial backups — full-site backup, database-only, or files-only backups.
171 * Scheduled backups with automatic daily backups.
172 * Easy to use: create a clone or backup in one click.
173 * Efficient background processing without slowing down your website.
174 * No Software as a Service and no external account required.
175 * All your data stays on your server. Your data belongs to you only.
176 * No server timeouts on huge websites or weak servers.
177 * Fast backup, clone, and restore workflows depending on site size and server resources.
178 * Use the clone as part of your backup and update strategy.
179 * Only administrators can access the cloned or backup website.
180 * SEO-friendly staging sites with login protection and no-index handling.
181 * The admin bar on the staging / backup website is orange colored and shows when you work on the staging site.
182 * Extensive logging features.
183 * Supports Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, and LiteSpeed Server.
184 * Every release passes extensive automated tests to keep the plugin robust, reliable, and fast.
185 * Fast and professional support team.
186
187 == WP STAGING | PRO - BACKUP & STAGING FEATURES ==
188
189 The features below are available in [WP STAGING | PRO](https://wp-staging.com/backup-pro-features "WP STAGING | PRO Features").
190
191 * Remote Sync - Pull a WordPress site securely from one server to another.
192 * WP STAGING CLI - Turn a backup into a local Docker-based development site.
193 * Migrate and transfer WordPress to another host or domain.
194 * Push staging changes to production (staging to live), including plugins, themes, and media files, with one click.
195 * Clone a backup or staging site to a separate database.
196 * Choose a custom directory for a backup or cloned site.
197 * Select a custom subdomain destination like dev.example.com.
198 * Define user roles for accessing the clone or backup site. This can be clients or external developers.
199 * Multisite support for migration, backup, and cloning.
200 * Schedule recurring backups by time and interval.
201 * Download and upload backups to another server for migration and transfer.
202 * Backup retention settings.
203 * Custom backup names.
204 * Email notifications if a backup cannot be created.
205 * WordPress multisite backup and restore.
206 * Cloud backup, offsite backup, and remote backups to external storage providers.
207 * Backup to Google Drive.
208 * Backup to Amazon S3.
209 * Backup to (S)FTP.
210 * Backup to Dropbox.
211 * Custom backup folder destinations for cloud storage providers.
212 * Priority support.
213
214 == DOCUMENTATION ==
215
216 <strong>How to Backup and Restore WordPress</strong>
217 [Backup and Restore WordPress](https://wp-staging.com/docs/how-to-backup-and-restore-your-wordpress-website/ "Backup and Restore WordPress")
218
219 <strong>Backup & Transfer WordPress Site to Another Host</strong>
220 [How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Host](https://wp-staging.com/docs/how-to-migrate-your-wordpress-site-to-a-new-host/ "How to Migrate Your WordPress Site to a New Host")
221
222 <strong>Remote Sync</strong>
223 [Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another](https://wp-staging.com/docs/pull-a-wordpress-site-from-one-server-to-another/ "Remote Sync - Pull a WordPress Site from One Server to Another")
224
225 <strong>Local Docker Development with WP STAGING CLI</strong>
226 [WP STAGING CLI – Upgrade Now](https://wp-staging.com/cli/upgrade "WP STAGING CLI - Local Docker Development for WordPress")
227
228 <strong>All Backup Guides</strong>
229 [All Backup Guides](https://wp-staging.com/docs/category/backup-restore/ "All Backup Guides")
230
231 <strong>Working with Staging Sites</strong>
232 [Working with Staging Sites](https://wp-staging.com/docs/category/working-with-wp-staging/ "Working with Staging Sites")
233
234 <strong>FAQ for Backup & Cloning</strong>
235 [FAQ for Backup & Cloning](https://wp-staging.com/docs/category/frequently-asked-questions/ "Backup & Cloning FAQ")
236
237 <strong>Troubleshooting Backup & Cloning</strong>
238 [Troubleshooting Backup & Cloning](https://wp-staging.com/docs/category/troubleshooting/ "Troubleshooting Backup & Cloning")
239
240 == WP STAGING BACKUP & CLONING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS & INFORMATION ==
241
242 * Works on latest version of WordPress
243 * Minimum Supported WordPress Version 3.8
244 * Cloning and Backup work on all webhosts
245 * No extra libraries required
246 * Backup & cloning supports huge websites
247 * Custom backup format is much faster and smaller than any tar or zip compression
248 * Backup & cloning works in low memory & shared hosting environments
249
250 == SUPPORT ==
251
252 [WP STAGING Backup & Cloning](https://wp-staging.com/backup-wordpress "WP STAGING Backup & Cloning")
253
254 == Installation ==
255
256 = Installation via admin plugin search =
257
258 1. Go to Plugins > Add new. Select "Author" from the dropdown near search input.
259 2. Search for "WP STAGING". Searching for "WPStaging" in one word works as well.
260 3. Find "WP STAGING - WordPress Backup, Restore & Migration" and click the "Install Now" button.
261 4. Activate the plugin.
262 5. The plugin should be shown below settings menu.
263
264 = Admin Installer via zip =
265
266 1. Visit the Add New plugin screen and click the "Upload Plugin" button.
267 2. Click the "Browse..." button and select the zip file of our plugin.
268 3. Click "Install Now" button.
269 4. Once uploading is done, activate WP STAGING - WordPress Backup, Restore & Migration.
270 5. The plugin should be shown below the settings menu.
271
272 == Screenshots ==
273
274 1. Create new WordPress staging / backup site (Dark Mode)
275 2. Create new WordPress staging / backup site (Lite Mode)
276 3. Select name for staging / backup site (Lite Mode)
277 4. Create Full Site Backup (Dark Mode)
278 5. Create Full Site Backup (Lite Mode)
279 6. Cloning / backup processing (Dark Mode)
280 7. Backup Complete (Dark Mode)
281 8. Login to staging site
282 9. Staging demo site
283
284 == Changelog ==
285
286 = 4.9.3 =
287 * Fix: Estimated size in the staging site setup now reflects the selected database tables and the selected files and folders. #5253
288 * Fix: List database tables in Push UI for staging sites connected to an external database. #5376
289 * Fix: Prevent Remote Sync from failing when optional sync selections are omitted. (Pro) #5329
290 * Fix: Prevent a PHP notice about early translation loading when cron schedules are registered. #5318
291 * Fix: Prevent a false "core folder excluded" warning in the Create Staging Site modal when staging sites already exist. #5352
292 * Fix: Prevent missing optimizer settings from triggering warnings. #5356
293 * Fix: Show an upgrade prompt instead of "No backups found" in the CLI installer when the backup list is unavailable. #5370
294 * Fix: Prevent the Optimizer mu-plugin from persisting its filtered active_plugins list, which could mass-deactivate every non WP STAGING plugin when core deactivates or activates a plugin during a WP STAGING AJAX request. #5371
295 * Dev: Ensure the source Developer license for every Remote Sync E2E test in the shared before-hook, so specs that authenticate against the source no longer fail intermittently with a "Developer plan required" error. #5360
296
297 WP STAGING Backup & Cloning | Full changelog:
298 [https://wp-staging.com/wp-staging-changelog](https://wp-staging.com/wp-staging-changelog)
299
300 == Upgrade Notice ==
301
302 Compatible up to WordPress 7.0.
303 Many improvements for reliability and bug fixes. Please update to the latest version!
304