# Server backups and snapshots

> Protect a server's data with provider backups and your own snapshots.

Source: https://infranest.io/docs/server-backups-and-snapshots
Last updated: 2026-09-06

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Backups and snapshots protect the data on your server, so you can recover quickly if something goes wrong. This article is for anyone managing servers in InfraNest who wants a safety net before making changes.

## Overview

- **Backups** are scheduled images that your provider takes of your server automatically.
- **Snapshots** are point-in-time images that you create yourself, typically right before a risky change.
- Both let you restore your server to an earlier state if something breaks.

## Enable and manage backups

1. Open the server, then go to **Backups**.
2. Select **Enable backups**, or select **trigger a backup** to run one right away.
3. From the list, you can **restore** a backup or delete one you no longer need.

## Create and manage snapshots

1. Open the server, then go to **Snapshots**.
2. Select **Create a snapshot**.
3. Later, you can **restore** the snapshot, rename it, **protect** it so it can't be deleted by accident, or delete it when you no longer need it.

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## Understand what a snapshot costs

1. Check the **Cost / month** column on the Snapshots list to see what each kept snapshot is costing you.
2. If your provider publishes a rate (for example, Hetzner), the price is calculated automatically based on the snapshot's compressed size — usually far smaller than the original disk.
3. If your provider doesn't publish pricing, select **set price** in the **Cost / month** column and enter what you're actually charged.
4. Check your **Spend** report to see snapshot costs across your servers — this is where snapshot sprawl becomes a visible number instead of a hunch.

> [!TIP]
> Take a snapshot before a **Rebuild** or any big change — it's the quickest way back if something goes wrong.

## Troubleshooting

- **Backup restored** or **Snapshot created** confirmations should appear after those actions complete — if you don't see one, check your connection and try again.
- If a snapshot won't delete, check whether it's protected first, since protected snapshots can't be removed by accident.