Create a Hytale server backupWhat the server saves on its own - and why a copy somewhere else still belongs in the plan

Published on October 4, 2026 · last updated on November 8, 2026

What the server backs up automatically

The Hytale server creates backups of the world on its own, much like the game does in single player. You do not have to take care of that. It is not a given for game servers and a real advantage: a mistake from the last hour can often be caught with a state from shortly before.

The limit of these backups is where they are stored. They sit on the same server as the world. If you accidentally delete the wrong folder, they may go with it. If you let your credit run out during a break from the game, the server is deleted after a grace period - along with the world and its backups. In those cases, only a copy stored elsewhere helps: on your computer, an external drive or in cloud storage.

What belongs in a complete backup

A Hytale server keeps its data in a few clearly named folders and files:

The core is the universe folder. The JSON files are small, but after a restore they save you from setting up permissions, whitelist and settings all over again. In theory, you could gather the mods folder again from scratch - but with a large collection of carefully matched versions, a copy is far more convenient.

Step by step: download a copy

1. Stop the server in the web interface. That way, nothing is being written to the world at the moment and the copy is consistent.
2. Connect with an SFTP client such as FileZilla or WinSCP - the login details are in the web interface. For individual files, the WebFTP file manager in the browser is enough.
3. Download the universe folder and the four JSON files, plus mods if needed.
4. Start the server again.
5. Name the copy locally with the date, for example hytale-2026-10-04, and ideally compress it as well.

A date in the folder name sounds like a small detail, but in an emergency it decides whether you find the right state in seconds.

When a copy of your own is especially worth it

• Before new mods. Some mods change the world permanently, for example through new blocks or world generation. If you remove them later, traces remain. More on this in Install mods and plugins.
• Before major Hytale updates. We apply updates automatically and worlds are kept. A copy of the state before is still the best insurance, see Update your Hytale server.
• Before big rebuilds. Commands such as /replace or /fillblocks change thousands of blocks in one go - an overview is in Hytale server commands.
• Before a break from the game. Without a contract, you only pay while you play. If you pause, download the state and upload it again next time.

For regular operation, a fixed rhythm has proven itself, for example once a week or after every big game night - depending on how much work you put into the world in a week.

Restoring a saved state

1. Stop the server.
2. Rename the current universe folder on the server, for example to universe-old. Only delete it once the restore has worked.
3. Upload the saved universe folder via SFTP, plus the JSON files if needed.
4. Start the server and watch the console until the world has loaded.
5. Join and check that the state is right.

The process is the same as uploading a single-player world. If you only want to bring back one world and leave the player data untouched, replace only that world's folder under universe/worlds - details in Upload a world.

Common backup mistakes

• Copying while the server runs. The server writes constantly. A copy taken in the middle of a write can be incomplete.
• Only the world, without player data. If you only back up one folder from universe/worlds, you lose inventories and progress when restoring. For a complete backup, always take the whole universe.
• A single copy, always overwritten. If a mistake only shows up after days, the good state is long gone. Keep several dated states.
• Never tested. A backup that has never been restored is a hope. Trying it once gives you certainty.

Which other files are responsible for what is explained in Hytale server settings.

Frequently asked questions