JetBackup allows you to restore email accounts from an available backup.
This is useful if an email account was deleted, mailbox data was lost, or email messages need to be restored from an earlier backup date.
This guide explains how to restore email accounts using JetBackup in DirectAdmin.
Before You Start
Restoring an email account may replace or merge mailbox data depending on how the restore is handled by JetBackup.
If the mailbox currently contains important new email, be careful before restoring an older backup.
If you are unsure, contact HostworX Support before continuing.
Step 1 – Log Into DirectAdmin
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Step 2 – Open JetBackup
Once you are logged into DirectAdmin, open JetBackup.
Click: Extra Features
Then click: JetBackup
Step 3 – Open the Email Backup Section
In JetBackup, open the email restore area.
Click: Email Accounts
This section contains available backups of email accounts in your hosting account.
Step 4 – Choose the Email Account
You will see a list of email accounts that can be restored.
Locate: Email account, example: info@yourdomain.co.za
Select the email account you want to restore.
Make sure you choose the correct email account before continuing.
Step 5 – Choose a Backup Date
Choose a backup date from before the email issue happened.
Locate: Backup date, example: 2026-06-01
For example, if emails were deleted today, choose a backup from before the deletion happened.
Step 6 – Start the Restore
After selecting the correct mailbox and backup date, start the restore.
Click: Restore
JetBackup may ask you to confirm the restore.
Click: Restore Selected Items
The email restore process will begin.
Step 7 – Wait for the Restore to Complete
The restore may take time depending on the size of the mailbox.
Do not repeatedly restart the restore.
Once the restore is complete, JetBackup should show the restore status.
Step 8 – Check the Mailbox
After the restore has completed, log into the mailbox.
You can check the mailbox using webmail or your email program.
Check whether the missing emails or folders have been restored.
Important Notes
Please keep the following in mind:
- Restoring an email account may affect the current mailbox.
- Newer messages may not exist in an older backup.
- If email was deleted before the oldest available backup, it may not be recoverable.
- HostworX backups are kept for 14 days.
- Large mailboxes may take longer to restore.
- Email program such as Outlook may take time to resynchronize after a restore.
When Should I Restore an Email Account?
You may need to restore an email account if:
- An email account was deleted by mistake.
- Emails were accidentally deleted.
- Mail folders are missing.
- A mailbox was damaged.
- Email data needs to be recovered from an earlier date.
Important Note About Email Clients
If you use Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird, or a mobile phone, your email app may not show restored mail immediately.
You may need to allow time for the mailbox to synchronize.
If the restored email still does not appear, log into webmail to check whether the mail exists on the server.
Conclusion
JetBackup can help restore email accounts and mailbox data from an available backup date.
Always choose the correct mailbox and backup date before restoring.
If the mailbox contains important new email, contact HostworX Support before restoring an older backup.
