Knowledge Base

How do I switch servers for a site that's already backed up on CodeGuard?

Updated on September 4, 2026

Overview

By the end of this article you will be able to move a CodeGuard-protected website to a new server and restart backups on that server without leaving gaps in your backup history.

This article explains:

Why a server change breaks an existing backup.
How to download a zip file backup.
How to upload your content to a new server using File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).
How to delete the old website record in CodeGuard.
How to re-add the site under the new server.
The Personal Plan exception that changes the order in which you delete and re-add the site.

Why a server change affects your backup

Switching servers changes the environment CodeGuard connects to, in ways that make the existing backup unreliable for a future restore.

The following items commonly change when a website is moved to a new server:

The file paths to your content.
The user and group that own your files.
The file permissions assigned to your files.

Because a restore reproduces paths, ownership, and permissions exactly as they were captured, restoring an old-server backup onto a new server can produce a site that does not work.

For this reason, remove the backup created from the old server and create a fresh backup from the new one.

Before you begin

Make sure you have the following:

Access to your CodeGuard dashboard.
Access to the new server.
An FTP or SFTP client to upload your content.
Your hosting provider's instructions for uploading website content.
Confirmation of your CodeGuard plan type. Personal Plan accounts must follow the exception described below.

Steps to switch servers

Download a zip file backup.
In your CodeGuard dashboard, open the Restore tab, select Restore Options, and then select Request Zip. CodeGuard prepares the backup and makes the zip file available for download.
Upload your content to the new server.
Use an FTP or SFTP client to transfer the contents of the zip file to the new server. The exact upload process depends on your hosting provider. Follow the instructions supplied by your hosting provider.
Delete the old website record in CodeGuard.
In your CodeGuard dashboard, open the Settings tab, scroll to Delete Website, and select the delete link in that section. This removes the backup taken from the old server.
Re-add the site under the new server.
Add the website to CodeGuard again and enter the connection details for the new server. The exact process depends on your plan type. CodeGuard then takes a fresh initial backup from the new server.

Personal Plan exception

If you are on the Personal Plan, your account allows a fixed number of websites.

You must complete Step 3, deleting the old website, before you can add the site again in Step 4.

On other plans the order is flexible, but deleting the old record first is still recommended so that two records for the same site do not run in parallel.

Verify the switch

Confirm the migration succeeded before relying on the new backup:

The website appears in your CodeGuard dashboard with the new server's connection details.
The initial backup from the new server has completed, and a first version is listed under the Restore tab.
The old website record no longer appears in your dashboard.