Backing up your email accounts with cPanel's File Manager

Backing up your email accounts is a smart precaution before migrating, archiving, or making major changes. While cPanel has a full backup tool, sometimes you only need to back up email data. This guide shows you how to do it using File Manager.

Why Back Up Email Separately?

• Preserve important messages before migration.
• Archive accounts for compliance or record‑keeping.
• Add an extra layer of protection beyond full account backups.

Steps to Back Up Email Accounts

1. Log in to cPanel

   • If you’re unsure, see our guide: Logging in and out of cPanel.

2. Open File Manager

   • On the cPanel Home screen, go to Files → File Manager.

3. Locate the Mail Directory

   • Navigate to your home directory: /home/username/
   • Find the folder named mail.
   • Inside, you’ll see subfolders for each domain (e.g., /mail/example.com).

4. Compress the Mail Folder

   • Right‑click the domain’s mail folder.
   • Select Compress.
   • Choose a compression type:
   • Click Compress File(s).

5. Download the Backup

   • Once the compressed file appears, right‑click it → Download.
   • Save it to your local computer (and ideally, to multiple locations).

6. Clean Up

   • To save space on your hosting account, delete the compressed file after downloading.
   • Right‑click → Delete

Note

• To back up all email accounts, compress the entire /mail directory instead of just one domain.
• Deleting a subaccount later will also delete its stored messages so keep backups if you need them.
• Always store backups securely (encrypted drive, cloud storage, or multiple devices).