Title: Backup a multisite
Last modified: April 11, 2026

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# Backup a multisite

 *  Resolved [JKEngineer](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jkengineer/)
 * (@jkengineer)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/backup-a-multisite/)
 * Apologies if this is clearly presented in your documents. If so, I missed it.
 * I am working on a multisite installation with about 18 sites (main + subsites).
   I want to back them up (not migrate) for general security and for failure recovery
   in the event of a problem.
 * It sounds like I can use the free version. Right?
 * Do I install only on the main site and can then back up the entire multisite?
   If so, can I then restore selected subsites or the main site independently? Or,
   do I have to install the plugin on each of the sites, main and sub? If so, I 
   assume that I then backup each independently and can restore each independently.
 * Also, I see discussions here on the fact that you do not include inactive plugins
   in the backups, at least as far as use for migration. Will backups include the
   entire site’s assets including inactive plugins, so that a backup restoration
   will recreate the site completely?
 * Thanks!
 * JK

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  Plugin Support [Emerson Maningo](https://wordpress.org/support/users/codex-m/)
 * (@codex-m)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/backup-a-multisite/#post-18878004)
 * Hello JK! Thank you for your interest in using the Prime Mover plugin! Regarding
   the answers to your questions, please check out below:
    - _Question 1.) I can use the free version. Right?_
 * Yes, please note that in the free version, you can manually back up as many multisite
   subsites as you like, on demand (any time you need it). The free version does
   not have a trigger for automatic backups – you can only do so manually. But it
   won’t have a limit on the number of subsites or the package size (backup and 
   restoration).
 * However, the main site requires a PRO license. The PRO license allows you to 
   backup and restore the main site, as well as use the automatic/scheduled backup
   feature (available to all sites) to run it on schedule (instead of triggering
   it manually).
    - _Question 2.) Do I install only on the main site, then back up the entire 
      multisite?_
 * No, the Prime Mover plugin needs to be installed on network plugins and network-
   activated. Once network-activated, you can now back up individual sub-sites and
   main sites (PRO). However, as of the latest version, it cannot yet back up the
   entire multisite as one package. The primary reason is that this plugin is designed
   to split and back up individual sites rather than the whole. However, we are 
   already adding this feature for the future, although there is no definite timeline
   yet for its release.
    - _Question 3.)  If so, can I then restore selected subsites or the main site
      independently?_
 * Yes, the plugin can be used to back up and restore selected subsites independently(
   including the main site in the PRO feature). If you restore a subsite, it won’t
   affect other sites in the network, except, of course, for its plugins and themes,
   which are shared by all sites by design.
    - _Question 4.) Or, do I have to install the plugin on each of the sites, main
      and sub? If so, I assume I can back up each independently and restore each
      independently._
 * The plugin can only be network-activated. So you need to network-activate this
   plugin. Once the network is activated, it is available for use across all sites
   in the multisite network.
    - _Question 5.) Also, I see discussions here about why you do not include inactive
      plugins in the backups, at least for migration. Will backups include the entire
      site’s assets, including inactive plugins, so that a restore will recreate
      the site completely?_
 * Yes, that’s correct – the backup does not include inactive plugins/themes to 
   save package size, but this request is already on our to-do list (there is still
   no definite timeline for this feature yet).
 * The backup includes the site database, media files for that site, activated plugins
   and themes, and finally, the site’s users. You can find more details [in this FAQ](https://codexonics.com/prime_mover/prime-mover/faq/what-is-the-complete-list-of-files-migrated-or-backed-up/).
 * Since some of your questions touched on the PRO aspects of the plugin, you can
   send us additional questions via our [official contact page](https://codexonics.com/contact/)(
   since answering PRO-related questions/features isn’t allowed on the WordPress
   free forum). I’m marking this ticket as resolved.
 * Cheers,
 * Emerson
 *  Thread Starter [JKEngineer](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jkengineer/)
 * (@jkengineer)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/backup-a-multisite/#post-18878012)
 * Thanks for the prompt and helpful reply!
 * Just to be sure I understand, using the free version, I would install it on the
   main site, as a network available plugin, and then do individual backups of each
   sub site from the dashboard of the subsite. I would not be able to backup the
   main site itself however. Right? (I have virtually no experience with multisite,
   yet.)
 * Thanks,
 * JK
    -  This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by [JKEngineer](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jkengineer/).
 *  Plugin Support [Emerson Maningo](https://wordpress.org/support/users/codex-m/)
 * (@codex-m)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/backup-a-multisite/#post-18878031)
 * Hi JK! That’s right, when you use the free version, you must install it in your
   main site’s network plugins (Network Admin -> Plugins) and activate it there.
   Once the free version is network-activated, you can start backing up as many 
   subsites as possible. You can see the backup functionality in Network admin -
   > Sites. But if you want to back up the main site, you need to upgrade to the
   PRO version. Thanks again for your interest in the plugin. Let me know if you
   need any clarification.
    -  This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by [Emerson Maningo](https://wordpress.org/support/users/codex-m/).
      Reason: typo

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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## Tags

 * [multisite](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/multisite/)

 * 3 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Emerson Maningo](https://wordpress.org/support/users/codex-m/)
 * Last activity: [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/backup-a-multisite/#post-18878031)
 * Status: resolved