Can I download a backup or snapshot?
You cannot currently download DigitalOcean backups or snapshots, but you can use third-party tools to save your data locally.
Can I restore individual files or directories from a snapshot or a backup?
Validated on 2 Dec 2024 • Last edited on 18 Mar 2026
You cannot retrieve individual files or directories from an image, like a snapshot or a backup. However, you can recreate the resource that the image originated from and copy the files from there.
For example, you can create a Droplet from a backup, then use SFTP to transfer the files. When you’re done, you can destroy the Droplet.
Related Topics
How long will my backup or snapshot take to complete?
Creating a backup or snapshot takes roughly 2 minutes per GB of used space.
Why is my snapshot's size different from reported disk usage?
Snapshots of Droplets are a best estimate based on the disk usage. Snapshots of volumes operate at the block storage level, so the snapshot size may not match what the filesystem reports.