How to back up a MongoDB database, step by step

MongoDB gives you mongodump for compressed, easy-to-restore backups. Here is the full process.

1. Manual backup with mongodump

A single database, compressed into an archive:

mongodump --db mydb --gzip --archive=mydb-$(date +%F).archive

The whole instance:

mongodump --gzip --archive=all-$(date +%F).archive

2. Restore

mongorestore --gzip --archive=mydb-2026-07-18.archive

3. Automate with cron

0 3 * * * mongodump --db mydb --gzip --archive=/mnt/backup/mydb-$(date +\%F).archive

Keep copies on a Backup Box

Mount a Backup Box as an extra disk and write the archives straight there, off-server. The address, username and password are on the Backup Box page in your panel.

Mount as an extra disk (SMB)

apt-get install -y cifs-utils
mkdir -p /mnt/backup
mount -t cifs //BACKUP_BOX_ADDRESS/backup /mnt/backup -o username=USER,password=PASSWORD,vers=3.0

Mount over SFTP (SSHFS)

apt-get install -y sshfs
sshfs -p 22 USER@BACKUP_BOX_ADDRESS:/ /mnt/backup

With backups on the Backup Box, you are protected even if the server fails completely. See also the general backup guide.