Configuring Akeeba Backup Pro for use in Watchful

Akeeba Backup Pro is a versatile backup solution that can be used with both WordPress and Joomla. Below you will find detailed instructions for each platform.

Note 1: The instructions below for installing and configuring the Akeeba Backup Pro plugin are not meant to be comprehensive. If you are confused or run into trouble, please first consult the official documentation at akeebabackup.com.

Note 2: The following versions of Akeeba Backup are fully compatible with Watchful:

• WordPress
  • Akeeba Backup Core, version 3.x and earlier
  • Akeeba Backup Pro, version 7.x and later
• Joomla
  • Akeeba Backup Core, version 6.x and earlier
  • Akeeba Backup Pro, version 7.x and later

Note 3: If you are experiencing problems with Akeeba Backup Pro and Watchful after following the instructions below, please refer to our troubleshooting guide. 

Configuring Akeeba Backup Pro in WordPress

1. Download Akeeba Backup Pro directly from the developer's website.
2. Log in to the administrative backend of your WordPress web site and install Akeeba Backup Pro using the plugin uploader. This can be found by navigating to the Plugins > Add New area and selecting the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.
3. When the install is complete, activate the plugin using the button at the bottom of the post-installation screen.
4. Select Akeeba Backup from the side menu and then scroll to the very bottom and click the System Configuration button.
5. On the System Configuration page, select the Public API tab.
6. Switch the Enable Legacy Front-end Backup API toggle to the On position.
7. Switch the Enable JSON API toggle to the On position.
8. In the secret word field, enter a complex string of characters using a complex combination of numbers and letters (avoid special characters).
   1. Note: Do not confuse the Akeeba secret word with the Watchful Secret Key.
9. Click the Save and Close button at the top to save your changes.
10. After saving changes to the System Configuration, you will now be returned to the main Abeeba Backup area. Select the Backup Now button to perform and test the backup process. Do not proceed until you can successfully create a backup for your site. 

Configuring Akeeba Backup Pro in Joomla

1. Login to the administrative backend of your Joomla web site and install Akeeba Backup Pro.
2. After installing Akeeba Backup Pro, be sure that you can create a backup on your Joomla web site. This will ensure that Akeeba is working correctly on the client site.
3. Once you have confirmed that Akeeba Backup Pro is working as expected, you need to enable remote management. In the Joomla backend, go to Components > Akeeba Backup. In the top-right corner click on Options button.
4. Select the Frontend backup tab, enable the first option, Enable front-end and remote backup and enter a Secret word. In order to avoid any problems, please only use alphanumeric characters (a-z, A-Z and 0-9) in the secret word. Do note that it is case sensitive, i.e. ABC, abc and Abc are three different secret words.
   1. Note: The Akeeba Secret word is not to be confused with the Secret Key generated by the Watchful client.
5. Complete the Akeeba configuration by selecting Save & Close.