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An automated website backup service with Bluehost can mean either the limited weekly backup included with some hosting plans or the paid CodeGuard add-on. Bluehost’s included service may retain only one week of history, while CodeGuard provides daily backups, change alerts, and self-service restoration. For reliable recovery, back up both website files and databases.
That distinction matters after a failed WordPress update, hack, accidental deletion, or database error. A hosting account can have a backup without giving you a convenient way to choose yesterday’s version or restore it without support.
Key takeaways
- Bluehost’s included automatic backup service is described as running once per week on a random day, overwriting the previous backup, and retaining only one week of history.
- CodeGuard is Bluehost’s paid backup add-on for daily automated backups, cloud storage, change monitoring, email alerts, and self-service restoration.
- A complete website recovery normally requires both website files and databases; a file-only backup may omit WordPress content, users, orders, settings, and other dynamic data.
- Restoring an older backup can overwrite newer files or database records, so export recent orders, comments, leads, uploads, and other new data before confirming a restore.
- Bluehost’s documented Paid Restore Service costs $49 per request, requires a usable backup, and is separate from a CodeGuard subscription.
What automated website backup service does Bluehost provide?
Bluehost provides two materially different backup paths: a limited hosting-level backup on applicable plans and the paid CodeGuard backup service. Bluehost’s current hosting pages advertise weekly website backups, but exact availability depends on the hosting type, plan, and account or signup date; check Websites → Manage Site → Backups in the current Bluehost Portal.
Bluehost’s support documentation, updated May 4, 2026, says its automatic backup service runs once per week on a random day, overwrites the previous backup, and keeps only one week of backup history. Restoring that backup may require Bluehost Support and may involve a fee. See Bluehost’s explanation of its automatic backup schedule.
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- The available storage capacity may vary.
CodeGuard is different. Bluehost describes CodeGuard as providing daily automatic backups, encrypted cloud storage, daily change monitoring, email alerts, and restoration from an earlier backup point. CodeGuard is presented as an add-on that must be installed or purchased through the Bluehost Portal, not as a feature that every Bluehost account automatically includes. Read Bluehost’s current CodeGuard documentation before relying on a particular plan or price.
Which Bluehost backup option is right for your site?
The right option depends on how much data you can afford to lose, how often the site changes, and whether you need to restore the site without waiting for support.
| Option | Backup frequency or trigger | User control | Files and databases | Restore method | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Included Bluehost backup | Weekly on applicable plans; random day | Limited | Depends on plan and backup scope | Often support-assisted | Low-change sites and basic disaster recovery |
| CodeGuard | Daily automatic backups; some tiers also show on-demand backups | Greater control | Website files and configured databases | Self-service through CodeGuard | Active small-business sites, blogs, and multiple sites |
| Jetpack Backup | Depends on the current Jetpack plan | WordPress-focused | Depends on the plan and configuration | WordPress-oriented workflow | WordPress site owners who prefer WordPress tooling |
| Manual backup | Whenever the owner creates one | Full, if performed correctly | User-managed | Manual | Portable backup copies and pre-update protection |
| Bluehost Paid Restore Service | Depends on an existing usable backup | Support-assisted | May cover files, directories, databases, or email | Bluehost Support | Emergency recovery when self-service restoration is unavailable |
Jetpack and CodeGuard are not identical products. Bluehost’s restore documentation identifies Jetpack as a premium option particularly relevant to WordPress, whereas CodeGuard is presented as a broader website backup and monitoring service. Neither product should be called universally best without comparing the site’s CMS, retention needs, storage location, database coverage, and restore workflow.
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Bluehost’s included weekly backup may be adequate for a low-change brochure site, a temporary site, or a personal site where losing up to a week of changes is acceptable. The included service can also be a useful second layer when you already maintain an independent backup.
The included backup is a poor fit when you need yesterday’s version, a pre-update version, a specific database state, or recovery of recent ecommerce orders. A weekly backup that overwrites the previous backup does not provide the same point-in-time choices as a daily service with multiple available restore points.
Do not interpret “Bluehost backs up your site” as “every recent change is available for self-service restoration.” Backup existence, backup completeness, retention, and restoration access are separate questions.
What is Bluehost CodeGuard?
CodeGuard is Bluehost’s paid backup add-on for automated daily backups, cloud-based storage, change monitoring, email notifications, and restoration from an earlier backup date. Bluehost also positions CodeGuard as offering one-click restoration, but a one-click interface does not mean that every server setting, email system, external service, or newly created record will be recovered.
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- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Bluehost’s CodeGuard setup documentation requires connection information such as the website URL, hostname or IP address, FTP or SFTP username, FTP or SFTP password, and port number. Review Bluehost’s CodeGuard connection requirements and use SFTP where Bluehost makes it available.
How much does CodeGuard cost?
Bluehost’s CodeGuard support page displayed the following rates and limits on August 18, 2026. These are observed figures, not a guaranteed checkout quote; verify the final billing term, taxes, renewal price, storage, and restore limits before purchasing.
| Plan | Monthly rate shown | Annual rate shown | Storage | Sites per account | On-demand backups |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $3.99/month | $47.88/year | 1 GB | Up to 5 | No |
| Professional | $4.99/month | $59.95/year | 5 GB | Up to 10 | Yes |
| Premium | $8.99/month | $99.95/year | 10 GB | Up to 25 | Yes |
| Enterprise | $19.99/month | $99.95/year as displayed | 25 GB | Up to 100 | Yes |
The displayed Enterprise annual figure does not equal twelve times the displayed monthly figure, so treat it as a pricing-display inconsistency rather than calculating an annual price yourself. Bluehost’s older CodeGuard pricing comparison also shows different annual renewal figures. Checkout is the appropriate place to confirm the price that applies to your account.
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CodeGuard may be a poor fit if the site exceeds the plan’s storage limit, requires real-time or transaction-level recovery, needs immutable storage controlled independently of Bluehost, or contains server-side services that are not captured through the configured FTP/SFTP and database connections.
How do you activate CodeGuard in Bluehost?
Use the current Bluehost Portal to purchase or activate CodeGuard. Interface labels can vary between account types and legacy accounts, so look for Backups, CodeGuard, Install, or Manage if the wording differs.
- Log in to the Bluehost Portal.
- Select Websites from the left-hand menu.
- Click Manage Site beside the relevant website.
- Open the Backups tab.
- Scroll to the CodeGuard section.
- Select Install CodeGuard.
- Choose a plan, review the displayed limits and billing terms, and confirm the payment method.
- Complete checkout and continue into the CodeGuard setup.
Bluehost documents this purchase path in its CodeGuard installation guide. Purchasing the add-on is not the same as completing the first backup: you still need to connect the website, select the correct files, add the databases, and verify a successful initial backup.
How should you configure the first CodeGuard backup?
Configure the first backup deliberately, because selecting the wrong document root or omitting the production database can leave you with a backup that appears successful but cannot fully rebuild the site.
Before connecting CodeGuard
- Confirm that the live website opens and record the domain and current Bluehost plan.
- Identify the document root, such as the directory containing the live WordPress installation.
- Identify the production database and any additional databases used by applications.
- Create or verify FTP/SFTP credentials with only the permissions required for the backup.
- Make a separate manual backup of the current files and database before changing the configuration.
Connection and configuration steps
- Add the website using its URL.
- Enter the Bluehost hostname or IP address, FTP or SFTP username, password, and port.
- Prefer SFTP when available, and confirm that the credentials connect to the intended Bluehost server.
- Select the correct production directories and verify that uploads, themes, plugins, and application files are included.
- Add the production database separately. Add any additional databases used by the site.
- Save the configuration and allow the initial scan and backup to finish.
- Check the backup status and timestamp rather than assuming that installation means protection is active.
- Verify that both website files and database data appear in the backup inventory.
- Enable or confirm change-alert email notifications.
- Record how to open the CodeGuard dashboard before an emergency occurs.
Bluehost’s more detailed CodeGuard setup instructions describe adding website and database coverage. Do not paste credentials into an unverified page, reuse a high-privilege password unnecessarily, and rotate or remove the backup credentials if the connection is no longer needed.
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- The available storage capacity may vary.
How do you access CodeGuard after setup?
Open Websites → Manage Site → Backups → Manage in the Bluehost Portal to reach the CodeGuard dashboard. Bluehost documents this path in its CodeGuard access instructions. The labels may change, but the relevant destination is the website’s Backups area and the CodeGuard management control.
Before a crisis, confirm that you can see a completed backup timestamp, the expected files and directories, the production database, and the notification settings. A pending first scan, failed connection, wrong document root, omitted database, or insufficient storage can all create a false sense of protection.
How do you restore a Bluehost website with CodeGuard?
To restore with CodeGuard, open the affected website’s Backups area, enter CodeGuard through Manage, choose an available earlier backup, select the recovery scope, and confirm the operation. The restore may cover files, databases, or the complete available site data, depending on what was configured and what the interface offers.
- Log in to the Bluehost Portal.
- Open Websites and select Manage Site for the affected website.
- Open the Backups tab.
- Select Manage in the CodeGuard section.
- Open the relevant website or database backup.
- Review the available backup dates and confirm the date and timezone.
- Choose whether to restore files, a database, or all available configured site data.
- Confirm the restore only after completing the safety checks below.
- Wait for the operation to finish and test the website.
Bluehost warns that restoring a backup overwrites existing files or data. The Bluehost restore documentation also explains other restore methods and limitations.
What should you do before pressing Restore?
- Take a fresh backup of the current site, even if the current version is damaged.
- Export new orders, comments, leads, contact-form submissions, customer accounts, uploads, inventory changes, and other records created after the chosen restore point.
- Confirm the restore date and timezone.
- Decide whether the problem requires a file-only, database-only, or full-site restore.
- Place an ecommerce site into maintenance mode if doing so will prevent transactions during the operation.
- Do not restore an old database over newer customer or order data without exporting that newer data first.
For an ecommerce, membership, forum, publishing, or customer-facing site, database timing is particularly important. Restoring files from one date and a database from another can produce incompatible plugins, missing uploads, broken settings, or inconsistent content.
What should you test after restoration?
- Homepage, key landing pages, navigation, and important links.
- WordPress dashboard, administrator login, and user accounts.
- Permalinks and page routing.
- Theme, plugin, and media functionality.
- Contact forms and email delivery.
- Payment, cart, checkout, and order flows.
- SSL certificate behavior, redirects, and canonical URLs.
- Cron jobs, scheduled tasks, and integrations.
- Database tables, recent records, and uploaded documents.
- Malware indicators and unauthorized changes.
A restored website can remain broken because the restore omitted uploads, files and databases came from different dates, caching serves damaged content, DNS points to another server, external API keys were not included, or incompatible theme and plugin files remain. Check the domain and DNS before assuming the restore itself failed.
What if CodeGuard cannot restore the site?
First confirm that a usable restore point exists, that the backup includes both files and the relevant database, and that the selected restore point predates the failure without being unnecessarily old. If the first restore point fails, a different clean point may work. Clear application, server, and browser caches only after confirming that the underlying files and database are correct.
For a full-account backup, Bluehost says restoration cannot be performed directly from cPanel and may require support assistance. A full account can include website files, databases, email accounts, settings, and configurations; those components are not automatically equivalent to a CodeGuard website backup.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Bluehost’s documented Paid Restore Service costs $49.00 and is requested through Bluehost phone or chat support. The service can cover website files, directories, databases, or email data when a usable backup exists, and Bluehost provides progress and timing information. Data changed after the selected restore point may be lost. Review the Bluehost Paid Restore Service terms and confirm the current fee before authorizing the request.
The $49 service is an assisted recovery option, not a replacement for an automated backup subscription. If no usable backup exists, a paid restore request cannot recreate data that was never captured.
How should you handle malware after restoring a backup?
Do not restore the newest backup automatically when the site may be infected. A recent backup can contain the same malicious files. Identify when the compromise occurred, choose a clean restore point, change hosting and administrator credentials, update WordPress and extensions, and run a malware-scanning process.
CodeGuard backup and SiteLock security are not interchangeable products. Bluehost discusses using them together: a backup helps recover an earlier state, while security and malware controls address detection and prevention. Do not describe a backup as proof that a site is clean or secure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you choose CodeGuard, Jetpack, or an independent backup?
Choose based on recovery requirements rather than the product name. CodeGuard is convenient for Bluehost customers who want daily website backups, change monitoring, and Portal-based restoration. Jetpack may suit a WordPress-only owner who prefers WordPress-specific workflows. An independent provider or backup plugin may be preferable when storage must remain outside Bluehost or when provider portability is important.
| Decision criterion | CodeGuard | Jetpack Backup | Independent provider or plugin |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMS fit | Broader website backup positioning; verify configured application coverage | WordPress-focused | Depends on the product |
| Storage separation | Cloud storage through the CodeGuard service, but still linked to the Bluehost purchase and account workflow | Depends on Jetpack’s current service | Can provide stronger separation from Bluehost |
| Database recovery | Must be configured and verified | Depends on the current plan and WordPress setup | Must be verified product by product |
| Restore workflow | Self-service through Bluehost and CodeGuard | WordPress-oriented | Varies widely |
| Portability | Depends on export and service capabilities | Depends on the service | May be better if backups are downloadable and independently controlled |
| Best reason to choose | Integrated daily backup and monitoring for a Bluehost-hosted site | WordPress-specific administration | Off-host separation, longer retention, or specialized recovery needs |
Bluehost’s restore documentation references Jetpack as a premium WordPress backup option, but the documentation does not establish that Jetpack is cheaper or technically superior for every site. Verify current frequency, retention, storage, restore scope, and pricing before comparing the services.
What are the limitations of relying on Bluehost alone?
No single Bluehost backup should be treated as a complete disaster-recovery plan. A configured website backup may not include DNS settings, registrar configuration, third-party SaaS data, external email systems, payment-provider records, server-level customizations, secrets, API credentials, or data generated after the backup point.
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Keep at least one backup outside the Bluehost account or backup vendor, periodically test restoration, and document the recovery procedure. Independent storage matters if Bluehost account access is compromised, if a backup account is misconfigured, or if you need to move the site to another host.
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For high-change ecommerce or membership sites, daily backups may still leave a gap between backup points. Consider a service or workflow that meets the site’s required recovery point, then verify that the database, uploads, transactions, and external integrations are actually covered. Do not assume that “daily” means real-time or transaction-level recovery.
A practical Bluehost backup checklist
- Open Websites → Manage Site → Backups and identify which backup service your account actually has.
- Confirm whether the included service is weekly and whether only one week of history is available.
- For an active site, compare CodeGuard, Jetpack if the site is WordPress, and an independent off-host option.
- Before setup, identify the document root and every production database.
- Use dedicated SFTP or FTP credentials and rotate them when appropriate.
- Complete the initial backup and verify its timestamp, file inventory, and database inventory.
- Enable change alerts and record the dashboard access path.
- Take a manual backup before major updates, migrations, or structural changes.
- Before restoring, create a fresh copy of the current state and export newer business data.
- After restoring, test pages, logins, forms, ecommerce, email, SSL, redirects, scheduled tasks, and malware status.
- Perform a test restoration periodically so an emergency is not the first time you discover a missing database or unusable archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bluehost automatically back up websites every day?
Bluehost’s included automatic backup service is described as weekly on applicable hosting plans, not daily. CodeGuard is the Bluehost add-on described as providing daily automatic backups, change monitoring, and self-service restoration.
Is CodeGuard included with Bluehost hosting?
CodeGuard should not be assumed to be included with Bluehost hosting. Bluehost presents CodeGuard as an add-on that customers install or purchase through the Bluehost Portal, while current hosting pages advertise weekly website backups on listed plans.
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Does CodeGuard back up a WordPress database?
CodeGuard can back up a configured database, but the database must be added and verified separately from the website files. Confirm that the production WordPress database and any additional application databases appear in the completed backup inventory.
Will restoring a Bluehost backup delete newer orders and content?
Restoring an older Bluehost or CodeGuard backup can overwrite existing files or data, including newer orders, comments, leads, uploads, and customer records. Create a fresh backup and export newer database data before restoring an earlier point.
What does Bluehost charge for its Paid Restore Service?
Bluehost’s documented Paid Restore Service costs $49.00 per request, requires a usable backup, and is requested through Bluehost phone or chat support. Confirm the current fee and terms before authorizing the service.
The Bottom Line
Bluehost’s included weekly backup is a basic safety net, not the same as daily, user-controlled recovery. CodeGuard is the more relevant Bluehost option for active sites that need daily backups, change alerts, and self-service restoration, but CodeGuard still requires correct file and database configuration. Keep an independent off-host copy and test restoration before you need it.
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