> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://gcore.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Backup and restore PostgreSQL database for Managed PostgreSQL using external utilities

This guide explains how to back up and restore PostgreSQL databases using the `pg_dump` (`pg_dumpall`) and `pg_restore` tools.

To protect against data loss, back up [Gcore Managed PostgreSQL](/cloud/managed-database-postgresql) databases regularly.

## 1. Install external utilities

Install the backup and restore utilities on the virtual or local server. Installation instructions are provided below for Ubuntu, CentOS, and Windows.

<Warning>
  Root rights are required to run the commands successfully.
</Warning>

<Accordion title="Ubuntu 22.04">
  1. Connect to the virtual server.

  2. Download the latest available updates and upgrade `apt`:

  ```sh theme={null}
  $ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
  ```

  3. To install ` pg_dump` and `pg_restore` tools, install the Postgres package, which includes them:

  ```sh theme={null}
  $ sudo apt install postgresql postgresql-contrib
  ```
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="CentOS 7">
  1. Connect to the virtual server.

  2. Install the PostgreSQL package:

  ```sh theme={null}
  $ sudo yum install postgresql-server
  ```

  The package contains all required tools.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Windows">
  1. Download the [installer of the relevant PostgreSQL version](https://www.enterprisedb.com/downloads/postgres-postgresql-downloads).

  2. Run the installation process.
</Accordion>

## 2. Get your credentials

The backup and restore tools require credentials (`username`, `password`, `port`, and `dbname`) to connect to the Gcore Managed PostgreSQL server. Credentials are available in the Customer Portal — see [Get your credentials](/cloud/managed-database-postgresql/manage-postgresql-servers#get-your-credentials) for instructions.

## 3. Back up databases

### Back up a specific database

Use one of the following commands depending on the required backup format:

* **Default SQL format**: `$ pg_dump -U username -W -h hostname -d database_name > database_name.sql`
* **TAR format**: `$ pg_dump -F t -U username -W -h hostname -d database_name > backup_file.tar`
* **Custom format**: `$ pg_dump -F c -U username -W -h hostname -d database_name > backup_file.dump`
* **Directory format**: `$ pg_dump -F d -U username -W -h hostname -d database_name -f backup_dir`

Replace `username`, `hostname`, and `database_name` with the actual values from the [Customer Portal](/cloud/managed-database-postgresql/manage-postgresql-servers#get-your-credentials). For `backup_file` or `backup_dir`, specify the name for the backup file or directory.

Additional flag details:

* `-W` prompts the password before connecting to the PostgreSQL server
* `-F` specifies the output format of the backup and can be followed by the following flags:
  * `c` for custom format
  * `d` for directory format
  * `t` for tar

### Back up all databases

Run the command:

```sh theme={null}
$ pg_dumpall -U username -W -h hostname > all_pg.sql
```

Where:

* `all_pg.sql`: the output backup file name
* `username`: the username from the Customer Portal
* `hostname`: the hostname from the Customer Portal

## 4. Restore databases

Run the command:

```sh theme={null}
$ pg_restore -U username -W -h hostname -d database_name < backup_file.tar
```

Where:

* `username`: the username from the Customer Portal
* `hostname`: the hostname from the Customer Portal
* `database_name`: the database name from the Customer Portal
* `backup_file.tar`: the backup file or directory to restore from