Backups
Manual and automatic SQL exports, retention, downloads, deletion, and recovery.
Backup types
| Type | Contents | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Altis Life | Game tables; excludes ac_ tables. | Protect players, vehicles, and world data. |
| Panel | Tables prefixed ac_. | Protect roles, administrators, sanctions, and settings. |
| Complete | All tables in the connected database. | Recover game and panel together. |
Backups are SQL files. They do not include config.php, logos, or other uploads. Preserve the original config.php to recover encrypted panel secrets. The exporter can use mysqldump for views, triggers, routines, and events; a fallback exists for simple installations. Partial backups select tables by prefix.
Manual backups
In Settings → Backup, choose a type and click “Create backup.” The library lists manual and automatic files with type, date, and size, and supports download or deletion. Deletion from the panel removes the server file too. Backups live in web-protected storage/backups/; downloads go through an authenticated API with a separate permission.
Automatic backups
Enable the toggle, then choose daily, weekly, or monthly frequency, backup type, and retention. The first run is due at the scheduler's next cycle. Later runs use the configured timezone. The interface reports worker activity, last backup, next run, and recent errors.
| Retention | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Never | Keep every automatic backup. |
| Weekly | Delete automatic backups older than seven days when a new one is created. |
| Monthly | Delete automatic backups older than 30 days when a new one is created. |
Retention does not delete manual or update backups. Keep php bin/backup-scheduler.php --loop supervised, or invoke it every five minutes through the system scheduler. Saving a schedule without running this process does not create files.
Restore a backup
- Stop writes from the game and panel.
- Download the appropriate SQL file and verify its date.
- Make a separate backup of the current state and
config.php. - Import the SQL into the correct database using a compatible MySQL client.
- If you restored
ac_tables, keep the originaltotp_keyinconfig.phpthat encrypted credentials, 2FA secrets, and the license. - Restart the workers and verify the connection, license, and access.