I deleted files (or everything) by accident — can they be restored?

Accidental deletions can often be undone — it depends on whether there's a backup from before the deletion (every server is backed up automatically twice a day), and, if the whole server was deleted, the retention window. Here's how to work through it.

What determines whether files come back

If the server still exists, its Backups page is the best place to start: browse a backup from before the deletion and restore it into a new folder, over the current files, or the whole server. A copy you downloaded yourself can simply be re-uploaded too. And if the whole server was deleted, its backups are kept for 30 days.

How to restore accidentally deleted files

1. First, open your server → Backups, browse a backup from before the deletion, and restore it (into a new folder if you only need a few files back).
2. Have your own downloaded copy instead? Re-upload the missing files via Files or SFTP. If neither helps, message the team quickly.
3. If the whole server was deleted, follow the deleted-server recovery steps: open a ticket with the server's Console URL from your browser history.

Warning: Without a backup from before the deletion, and outside the retention window, deleted files can't be recovered — so click Back up now before risky changes.

Tips & best practices

• Download your files periodically via Files or SFTP for an extra copy of your own.
• Automatic backups run twice a day (00:00 and 12:00 UTC by default — you can change the times under Backup times on the Backups page).

Frequently asked questions

I emptied the whole server — can I get it back? Restore a backup from before it on the Backups page (you can restore the whole server). If something goes wrong, message the team urgently.

I have no backups at all — now what? Check the Backups page first — every server gets automatic backups twice a day. If there's really nothing there, recovery may not be possible.