Tiny Backup
Simple and minimal backup plugin for WordPress. Create database and files backups manually or automatically on a schedule.
Solid choice
Tiny Backup is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 3 days ago, and scores 66/100 on our health check.
- Actively developed — last update 3 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Tiny Backup stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| admin | >100 |
| backup | >100 |
| database | >100 |
| files | >100 |
| zip | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About Tiny Backup
From the official readme · v1.5.1Description
Tiny Backup is a WordPress plugin that allows you to create backup files simply and without any complicated configuration.
You can create and download the bare minimum backup with just one click, stress-free.
Manual Backup
- Database backup (SQL inside ZIP) with a single click
- Files backup from your uploads folder — select specific subfolders as needed
- Clear progress indicator during backup
Auto Backup (WP-Cron)
- Set separate schedules for database and files backups (daily / weekly / monthly)
- Configure time, day of week, or day of month for each schedule
- Manage retention: set max generations for database and files independently
- Email notifications on failure (sent to the admin email address)
General
- No external services required; everything runs on your server unless you enable the optional Dropbox integration
- Backup files are stored in
wp-content/uploads/tiny-backup-datas, protected by an.htaccessfile and randomized file names
This plugin is ideal for small to medium sites that need simple, low-overhead backups.
Installation
- Upload the plugin to the
/wp-content/plugins/directory or install via the WordPress Plugins screen. - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress.
- Go to Tools → Tiny Backup.
- Click “Database Backup” or “Files Backup” to run a manual backup, or configure Auto Backup settings.
Frequently asked questions
Where are backups saved?
Backups are saved to wp-content/uploads/tiny-backup-datas. The plugin protects this folder with an .htaccess file (Apache / LiteSpeed) and an empty index.php, and every backup file name includes a random string so that it cannot be guessed. If your server does not read .htaccess files (for example nginx), Tiny Backup shows a warning on its settings page. In that case, block the folder in your server configuration. For nginx: location ^~ /wp-content/uploads/tiny-backup-datas/ { deny all; } Temporary .sql and .part files left behind by an interrupted backup are deleted after one day. When you…
Can I change the destination directory?
Yes. Add the following to wp-config.php with an absolute path, preferably outside the public web folder: define( 'TNBU_BACKUP_DIR', '/path/outside/public/folder/tiny-backup' ); Notes: The path must be absolute and writable by the web server. Tiny Backup does not add .htaccess or index.php to a custom folder, so choose a folder that is not reachable from the web. Existing backups are not moved. Move them by hand if you want to keep them in the new folder.
Are scheduled backups supported?
Yes. As of version 1.3.0, you can configure automatic backups for database and files independently using WP-Cron. Options include daily, weekly, and monthly schedules.
Does scheduled backup run at the exact time I set?
WP-Cron is triggered by site visits, so the actual execution time may differ slightly from the configured time on low-traffic sites. The backup will run on the next page load after the scheduled time.
What folders can I select for file backup?
You can select the entire uploads folder or individual subfolders directly under it. Subfolders of subfolders are not selectable. Symbolic links inside the selected folders are followed, and the linked files are saved at the link’s location in the ZIP file. Each folder is included only once, even if several links point to it or a link points back to a parent folder.
Which database tables are backed up?
Tiny Backup backs up the tables whose names start with your WordPress table prefix ($table_prefix in wp-config.php, wp_ by default). Tables of other sites or applications in the same database are not included, so restoring a backup does not overwrite them. If another site in the same database uses a table prefix that starts with yours (for example, wp_ and wp_shop_), its tables are included as well.
Does Tiny Backup work on WordPress Multisite?
Yes, but only super admins can use it. Site administrators do not see the Tiny Backup menu. A database backup contains every site in the network, so database backups (manual and automatic) run only on the main site. A files backup includes the uploads folder of the site where you run it.
Changelog
Security update for multisite: only super admins can now use Tiny Backup, because site administrators could download a database backup of the whole network. On multisite, connect Dropbox again after updating. Also fixes several files backup problems and makes error messages clearer.
1.5.1
- Security: On multisite, site administrators could download a database backup of the whole network, including the email addresses and password hashes of all users. Only super admins can now use Tiny Backup, and database backups run only on the main site
- Change: On multisite, Dropbox is disconnected once after updating. Reconnect it from Tools → Tiny Backup
- Change: Database backups now include only tables with your WordPress table prefix (
wp_by default) - Change: On multisite, a subsite now backs up only its own uploads folder
- Bug fix: Sites that keep uploads outside
wp-content/uploadsnow back up their actual uploads folder - Bug fix: Folders reached through symbolic links are now backed up. A symbolically linked uploads folder no longer breaks file names in the ZIP file or leaves the folder list empty
- Bug fix: Unreadable folders, files deleted during the backup, and special files such as named pipes are now skipped and recorded in the PHP error log instead of stopping the files backup
- Bug fix: When a manual backup fails, the error now stays on screen instead of disappearing on reload
- Error messages now say what went wrong and what to do next
1.5.0
- Security: Backup files could be downloaded directly from the web by anyone who guessed their file names. Every backup file name now includes a random string, and the backup folder is protected with an
.htaccessfile and an emptyindex.php. Existing backups are renamed automatically when you update - New: Tiny Backup checks whether the backup folder can be read from the web (for example on nginx, which ignores
.htaccess) and shows a warning with a configuration example on its settings page - New: Define
TNBU_BACKUP_DIRinwp-config.phpto store backups outside the public web folder - Temporary files left behind by an interrupted backup are deleted after one day, and a failed database dump no longer leaves a plain
.sqlfile in the backup folder - Bug fix: Automatic files backups beyond “Max files to keep” were never deleted from the server. They are now removed as intended
1.4.2
- Confirmed compatibility with WordPress 7.1
- Removed screenshot images that were accidentally bundled in the plugin package. The download is about 400KB smaller
1.4.1
- Confirmed compatibility with WordPress 7.0
- Internal code quality work to meet the WordPress Coding Standards. No changes to how the plugin behaves
1.4.0
- Show server backup destination path under the Backup files section
- Show Dropbox backup subfolder reference under the Backup files on Dropbox section
1.3.0
- Added auto backup feature using WP-Cron (daily / weekly / monthly)
- Database and files can be scheduled independently
- Configurable retention (max generations) per backup type
- Email notifications on success and/or failure
- Split manual backup into separate “Database Backup” and “Files Backup” buttons
- Limited file backup scope to uploads folder (direct subfolders selectable)
- Introduced wp-scripts build pipeline for admin assets
Screenshots
For developers
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FAQ
Tiny Backup: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 30, 2026
Is Tiny Backup free?
Yes. Tiny Backup is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Tiny Backup safe to use in 2026?
Tiny Backup is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 3 days ago, and scores 66/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Tiny Backup?
Tiny Backup is active on 10+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 838 times since it launched in November 2025. It was downloaded 228 times in the last 30 days.
Does Tiny Backup work with WordPress 7.1?
Yes. The developer has tested Tiny Backup up to WordPress 7.1.2, the latest release. It requires WordPress 6.0 or newer.
What PHP version does Tiny Backup need?
Tiny Backup requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Tiny Backup last updated?
The latest version, 1.5.1, was released on September 28, 2026 (3 days ago).
Who makes Tiny Backup?
Tiny Backup is developed and maintained by Takashi Fujisaki.
What are the best alternatives to Tiny Backup?
The most popular alternatives to Tiny Backup are Loginizer (1M+ installs), Redux Framework (900K+ installs) and Admin Menu Editor (300K+ installs).
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