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

# Time Capsule

> Control WP Time Capsule Plugin settings, create incremental backups, and restore Child Sites to any point in time from your MainWP Dashboard. Supports Dropbox, Amazon S3, and Google Drive storage.

<div id="addon-data" style={{display: 'none'}} data-title="Time Capsule" data-purchase-url="https://mainwp.com/add-on/time-capsule/" data-pricing-tier="free" data-bundle="Essentials" data-addon-type="integration" data-version="5.0.1" data-developer="MainWP" data-changelog-url="https://mainwp.com/changelog/mainwp-time-capsule-extension/" data-integrates-with="Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule" data-owned-by="Revmakx, LLC." data-privacy-url="https://wptimecapsule.com/privacy-policy/" />

## What You'll Learn

* Installing the extension and WP Time Capsule plugin
* Connecting your WP Time Capsule account
* Creating manual and scheduled backups
* Restoring sites to specific restore points
* Creating staging sites

***

<Info>
  **Integration Add-on** - This add-on extends MainWP to work with WP Time Capsule. Requires WP Time Capsule to be installed on your child sites.
</Info>

With the MainWP Time Capsule Extension, you can control the WP Time Capsule Plugin settings on all your child sites directly from your MainWP Dashboard. This includes giving you the ability to create your child site backups and even restore your child sites to a point back in time directly from your Dashboard.

All changes to your Child sites are backed up automatically as they happen. Any change on your website will trigger a backup in real-time. Since only the changes are backed up, the total space used for storing your backups is reduced to a minimum. The system allows you to store your backups in remote locations such as:

* Dropbox
* Amazon S3
* Google Drive

**Important Notes:** For additional help with the WP Time Capsule plugin options, please consult the official [WP Time Capsule plugin documentation](https://docs.wptimecapsule.com/).

## Install and Set the MainWP Time Capsule Extension

Installation of the MainWP Time Capsule Extension requires two important steps:

* Installing the Extension itself on your MainWP Dashboard site
* Installing the [WP Time Capsule](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-time-capsule/) plugin on Child Sites

### Installing the Extension

The MainWP Time Capsule Extension needs to be installed only on your MainWP Dashboard site. You can [install it as any other MainWP Extension.](/dashboard/overview/manage-extensions#install-extensions)

### Installing the Plugin

For the proper use of the MainWP Time Capsule Extension, you need to install the WP Time Capsule Plugin on your child sites.

### Install from MainWP Dashboard

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to your MainWP Dashboard" />

  <Step title="Go to the MainWP > Sites > Plugins > Install Plugins page" />

  <Step title="In the Search field, enter the plugin name (WP Time Capsule)" />

  <Step title="Press enter on your keyboard" />

  <Step title="After the search results appear, locate the plugin" />

  <Step title="Select the Install this Plugin option" />

  <Step title="Select your child sites">
    [Select your child](/getting-started/mainwp-user-interface) sites
  </Step>

  <Step title="In the Installation Options box, make sure that the Activate after installation option is selected.">
    In the **Installation Options** box, make sure that the **Activate after installation option** is selected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Button to complete the installation." />

  <Step title="Once the Installation is complete, Sync your MainWP Dashboard" />
</Steps>

For additional help with installing WordPress plugins from the MainWP Dashboard, please review this [help document](/sites/plugins/managing-plugins-with-mainwp).

### Install directly on Child Site

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to your child site" />

  <Step title="Go to the WP > Plugins > Add New page" />

  <Step title="In the Search field, enter the plugin name (WP Time Capsule)" />

  <Step title="After the search results appear, locate the plugin" />

  <Step title="Click the Install button" />

  <Step title="Click the Activate button" />
</Steps>

For additional help with installing WordPress plugins, please review this [help document.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/manage-plugins/) **Important Notes:** After installing the WP Time Capsule plugin, it is required to Synchronize your sites so your MainWP Dashboard becomes aware that the plugin has been installed and activated.

## Get Started with the Time Capsule

After the successful installation of the MainWP Time Capsule Extension on your dashboard and the WP Time Capsule plugin on your child site, you are ready to connect your WP Time Capsule account. To do that,

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to your MainWP Dashboard" />

  <Step title="Go to the MainWP > Sites > Backups > Time Capsule > General page" />

  <Step title="Enter your WP Time Capsule email and password and click the Login button">
    Enter your **Email** and **Password**, then click **Login**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Once that is done, connect a **Cloud Storage Account** for the child site. This step is completed on the child site itself. To do it,

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to your child site" />

  <Step title="Open the WP Time Capsule page" />

  <Step title="Complete the cloud storage connection flow" />
</Steps>

After that, the site is ready for backup and staging actions from your MainWP Dashboard.

## Backup Your Child Sites

The Time Capsule system will allow you to backup your sites on demand and to set automated backups.

### Manual Backup

To manually backup all your sites,

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to your MainWP Dashboard" />

  <Step title="Go to the MainWP > Sites > Backups > Time Capsule > Backup Settings page" />

  <Step title="Click the Backup Now button">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/4f1gyeWHSqPS10n_/images/add-ons/time-capsule-backup-now-button.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4f1gyeWHSqPS10n_&q=85&s=7c51d7179aa5dd2d040bdef0d5e0ce15" alt="Click the Backup Now button" width="1387" height="688" data-path="images/add-ons/time-capsule-backup-now-button.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

To manually backup a single site,

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to your MainWP Dashboard" />

  <Step title="Go to the MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites page" />

  <Step title="Locate the site you want to backup" />

  <Step title="Click the Edit link in the Title column" />

  <Step title="Go to the WP Time Capsule > Backups tab" />

  <Step title="Click the Backup Now button" />
</Steps>

### Schedule Backups

To schedule backups,

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to your MainWP Dashboard" />

  <Step title="Go to the MainWP > Sites > Backups > Time Capsule > Backup Settings page" />

  <Step title="Locate the Backup schedule & timezone option" />

  <Step title="Set your preferences" />
</Steps>

## Restore a Site To a Restore Point

To restore your child site to a restore point,

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to your Dashboard" />

  <Step title="Go to the MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites page" />

  <Step title="Locate the site that you want to restore and click the Edit action link" />

  <Step title="Go to the WP Time Capsule > Backups tab" />

  <Step title="Locate the Restore Point that you want to restore your site to and click on it">
    Locate the **Restore Point** that you want to restore your site to and click on it<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/4f1gyeWHSqPS10n_/images/add-ons/time-capsule-restore-points.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=4f1gyeWHSqPS10n_&q=85&s=7261a15a130ca1350c278c2cb65594ce" alt="Screenshot showing available restore points in Time Capsule backups" width="1583" height="948" data-path="images/add-ons/time-capsule-restore-points.jpg" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your restore preferences and click the Restore The Site to This Point button">
    Choose your restore preferences and click the **Restore The Site to This Point** button<img src="https://mintcdn.com/mainwp/4f1gyeWHSqPS10n_/images/add-ons/time-capsule-restore-preferences.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=4f1gyeWHSqPS10n_&q=85&s=aec4b27993d9b7c68c5e4d0a073ee98c" alt="Screenshot of restore preferences with Restore The Site to This Point button" width="891" height="139" data-path="images/add-ons/time-capsule-restore-preferences.jpg" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

You will be redirected to a new screen where further instructions will be provided.

## Create Staging Site With the Time Capsule

The Time Capsule system provides the ability to create staging sites. To create a staging site,

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to your Dashboard" />

  <Step title="Go to the MainWP > Sites > Manage Sites page" />

  <Step title="Locate the site that you want to stage and click the Edit action link" />

  <Step title="Go to the WP Time Capsule > Staging tab" />

  <Step title="Locate the Staging Path option and set your preferred path" />

  <Step title="Click the Start Staging button" />
</Steps>

***

## Related Resources

* [Backup Add-ons](/add-ons/backups) - Browse all backup integrations
* [Manage Backups](/sites/backups/manage-backups) - Understanding backup management in MainWP
* [WP Time Capsule Documentation](https://docs.wptimecapsule.com/) - Official plugin documentation