# Arma 3 server backups, saves and moving a server

> What an Arma 3 server backup holds, where missions like Antistasi save progress, how to restore one, and how to move a server from another host.

By the Wilderack Crew. Last reviewed 2026-11-13. Topic: Backups and your world.

_Wilderack is not affiliated with Bohemia Interactive. Arma 3's server license is for personal use, so Arma 3 servers open on Wilderack only once Bohemia gives us its written OK._

_Arma 3 is a trademark of Bohemia Interactive a.s. Wilderack is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bohemia Interactive a.s._

An Arma 3 server's precious parts are its missions, its config and its profile. Long campaigns like Antistasi or Liberation keep their progress in the server's profile, so that file is your world. Backups keep all of it.

> [!NOTE]
> Arma 3 servers can't be ordered on Wilderack yet. We open Arma 3 once Bohemia Interactive gives us its OK. This guide shows how backups will work then.

## What a backup holds

| Part | Where | What's in it |
|---|---|---|
| Config | `server.cfg`, `basic.cfg`, `battleye/` | Rules, missions list, network tuning |
| Missions | `mpmissions/` | Your mission `.pbo` files |
| Profile | `profiles/` | Custom difficulty, and what missions save |
| Mods and keys | `mods/`, `keys/` | The mods you uploaded and their keys |

Game files aren't in backups. Arma 3 installs fresh on each server.

## Where campaigns save

Many missions save with Arma's profile storage, called `profileNamespace`. On a server that lands in a file ending `.vars.Arma3Profile`, inside the `profiles` folder. A campaign's whole state, its towns, money and unlocks, can live in that one file.

Some missions save more often than others. If yours has a save command for admins, use it before a restart.

## How backups work on Wilderack

- **Every 10 minutes** while the server runs and something has changed, a safe copy is made.
- **Before every risky step**: switching games, restoring, updating and changing mods. These copies are kept for 7 days.
- **By hand**: open **Backups** and make one, with a label like "before the final op".
- **On a schedule**: add a backup to **Schedules**, such as once a day.

Backups only store what changed, so a big mod folder doesn't fill your space with every copy.

## Restore a backup

1. Open **Backups** and pick a backup by its date or label.
2. Choose restore. The panel backs up the current files first, so you can undo it.
3. The server restarts on the restored files.

To get back one file, like yesterday's `server.cfg`, open it in **Files** and pick an earlier version by date.

> [!WARNING]
> Restoring the profile rolls a campaign back to that point. Progress since then is gone. Tell your group before you restore.

## Download a backup

Open **Backups**, choose a backup and download it. You get a zip with a link that works for 24 hours.

## Move a server from another host

1. **Stop the old server**, so the profile isn't saved mid-copy.
2. **Download** `server.cfg`, `basic.cfg`, `mpmissions`, `mods`, `keys` and the server's profile folder.
3. **Rename mod folders to lowercase**, as the [mods guide](https://wilderack.com/wiki/arma-3/mods/) explains.
4. **Zip it all** with `server.cfg` at the top, and upload the zip in **Games**, then **Bring your world**. We take a backup first.
5. **List your mods** in **Settings** and restart.

Wilderack writes its own admin password and BattlEye RCon settings, so leave those out of what you copy. Copy the new admin password from **Settings**.

## Questions and answers

### Where do Arma 3 missions like Antistasi save on a server?

Most save to the server's profile, in a file that ends .vars.Arma3Profile, inside the profiles folder. That file holds the campaign's progress, so it's the one to keep safe.

### Does an Arma 3 backup include mods?

Yes, on Wilderack, since you upload Arma 3 mods yourself. Backups keep the mods and keys folders along with your config, missions and profile. Game files aren't included; they install fresh.

### How do I move my Arma 3 server from another host?

Download server.cfg, basic.cfg, your mpmissions, mods and keys folders and the server's profile folder. Zip them with server.cfg at the top, and upload the zip in Games, then Bring your world.

## Sources

- [Arma 3: Dedicated Server](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Dedicated_Server), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [Arma 3: Startup Parameters](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_Startup_Parameters), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki
- [profileNamespace](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/profileNamespace), Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki

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