Activating Jetpack Backups

Jetpack Backups is currently only available on Jetpack sites with a paid plan that are hosted at Bluehost or Pressable. These instructions apply only to sites hosted at Bluehost.

For Jetpack to back up your site, you’ll first need to add SSH, SFTP, or FTP credentials. This document explains exactly how to do that, with links for getting these credentials from popular hosts.

Add your credentials

If you’re confused about what these credentials are, how they work, or why we need them, you can read more about that in our SSH, SFTP, FTP Credentials guide.

After completing setup of your plan, you’ll need to add site credentials for Jetpack to begin backing up your site. You’ll see the following prompt at the top of Tools → Activity:

1. Click Add site credentials or navigate directly to Manage → Settings → Security to open the Security tab and the authorization box.
2. Click Ok, I understand to approve the use of the credentials to back up your site. This will open the Backups and security scans entry box.
3. Select the type of credentials that you’re entering from the Credential Type list: SSH/SFTP or FTP.

Adding SFTP and FTP Credentials

Typically, SFTP coincides with SSH activation on your server. In the case of some hosts, however, it is possible to create a stand-alone SFTP account that is unrelated to SSH.

To use SFTP or FTP credentials:

1. Select SSH/SFTP or FTP in the Credential Type list.
2. Enter the Server Address (the system will attempt to pre-fill this, but change it if you know it to be something different), Username, and Password.
3. If you need to specify the installation folder, click Advanced settings. You’ll need to do this if your WordPress installation isn’t directly in the home path of your SFTP user, or if you have multiple WordPress installations accessible with the same user account.
4. The port number will be 21 for FTP and 22 for SFTP.
5. Click Save.

You’ll see a message indicating that we’re testing the connection, followed by a “Your site is now connected” success message.

Adding SSH Credentials

To use SSH, you’ll need to first generate a private/public key pair on your server. Once you’ve done that, copy the private key and add it to a text file somewhere on your computer.

You’ll also need to confirm the port that your host uses for SSH connections. Some hosts use port 22, while others might use 18765.

1. Select SSH/SFTP in the Credential Type list.
2. Enter the Server Address (the system will attempt to pre-fill this, but change it if you know it to be something different), Username, and, if necessary, the Password.
3. If you need to specify the installation folder, click Advanced settings. You’ll need to do this if your WordPress installation isn’t directly in the home path of your SFTP user, or if you have multiple WordPress installations accessible with the same user account.
4. The port number will be either 22 or 18765. It’s also possible that your host uses something else here.
5. Paste the private key that you saved from the host here. Be sure to use the private key and not the public key.
6. Click Save.

You’ll see a message indicating that we’re testing the connection, followed by a “Your site is now connected” success message.

Instructions to get credentials for some popular hosts

Note: Jetpack Backups is automatically configured for sites hosted at Pressable.

• Bluehost: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• HostGator: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• GoDaddy: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• DreamHost: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• 1and1: SFTP, FTP
• GoDaddy Managed WP: SSH, SFTP
• AWS: SSH
• NameCheap: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• InMotion: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• WP Engine: SSH, SFTP, FTP
• Liquid Web: SSH, SFTP, FTP
• SiteGround: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• HostMonster: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• MediaTemple: SSH, SFTP/FTP
• Just Host: SSH/SFTP, FTP
• DigitalOcean: SSH/SFTP

If your host is not listed here, or if you’re having any problems, please contact them directly to ask for assistance.

Still have questions? Feel free to contact support for more personalized assistance.