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ApsaraDB for MongoDB:Cross-region backup

Last Updated:Mar 28, 2026

Cross-region backup automatically copies your ApsaraDB for MongoDB backups to a different region. If a regional outage makes your source region unavailable, you can restore data from the destination region without depending on the source. Use this feature to meet data compliance requirements or to implement cross-region disaster recovery.

Cross-region backup vs. standard backup

ItemCross-region backupStandard backup
Default statusDisabled. Must be enabled manually.Enabled by default.
Backup storageStored in a different region.Stored in the same region as the instance.
Restore while instance is activeRestore to a new instance in the destination region.Restore to a new instance in the current region.
Restore after instance is releasedNot applicable.Use a valid backup set from the recycle bin to create a new instance in the current region.
Retention after instance is releasedRetained for the specified period, even after the instance is released. If you do not want to retain these backups after releasing the instance, change the retention period before you release the instance.Retained based on the policy in effect at the time of release.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure that:

  • The instance is a replica set or sharded cluster instance.

  • The instance uses Enterprise SSD (ESSD) storage.

Billing

Cross-region backup incurs two types of fees: storage fees and network traffic fees.

Billable itemDestination regionUnit price (USD/GB/day)
Cross-region storage feeChina (Beijing), China (Hohhot), China (Ulanqab), China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Shenzhen), China (Heyuan), China (Chengdu), China (Qingdao), China (Guangzhou), and China (Zhangjiakou)0.0009375
China (Hong Kong), US (Silicon Valley), US (Virginia), Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), Germany (Frankfurt), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Indonesia (Jakarta), Philippines (Manila), UK (London), South Korea (Seoul), and Thailand (Bangkok)0.001125
SAU (Riyadh - Partner Region)0.00135
Network traffic feeVaries by regionSee Network feesNetwork fees
Important

Disabling cross-region backup stops new backups and eliminates network traffic fees, but existing backup files are not deleted immediately and continue to incur storage fees. To avoid ongoing storage charges, set Cross-region Backup Retention Period (Days) to 3 before disabling the feature. Existing backup files are automatically deleted after 3 days, after which no further storage fees apply.

Usage notes

  • Cross-region backup data can only be restored to the destination region where the backup sets are stored.

  • Cross-region backups and standard backups are independent. Both can coexist without affecting each other.

  • Cross-region backup copies all manual backups, the first standard backup of the day, and the first high-frequency backup of the day.

  • Downloading data backup sets or log backup sets from a cross-region backup is not supported.

  • Cross-region backup is only supported between specific source and destination region pairs. See the supported regions below.

Supported regions

AreaSupported regions
ChinaChina (Beijing), China (Hohhot), China (Ulanqab), China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Shenzhen), China (Heyuan), China (Chengdu), China (Qingdao), China (Guangzhou), China (Zhangjiakou), and China (Hong Kong)
Other countries and regionsUS (Silicon Valley), US (Virginia), Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), Germany (Frankfurt), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Indonesia (Jakarta), Philippines (Manila), UK (London), South Korea (Seoul), Thailand (Bangkok), and SAU (Riyadh - Partner Region)
The region list above is for reference only. For actual supported regions, check the console.

Enable cross-region backup

  1. Go to the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Replica Set Instances page or the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Sharded Cluster Instances page. Select a resource group and a region, then click the ID of the target instance.

  2. In the left navigation pane, click Backup and Restoration.

  3. Click Backup Settings.

  4. Click Edit. In the Backup Settings panel, under Advanced Features, select Cross-region Backup and configure the following parameters. Example configuration The following example shows a typical cross-region backup setup for a sharded cluster instance that needs daily backups replicated to a secondary region for disaster recovery.

    For standard backup parameters such as backup window and frequency, see Automatically back up ApsaraDB for MongoDB data.
    ParameterDescription
    Source RegionThe region where the instance resides. Read-only.
    Backup RegionThe region to copy backups to. Must differ from the source region.
    Retention TypeRetain for a specified period or Permanent.
    Cross-region Backup Retention Period (Days)The number of days to retain cross-region backups. Valid values: 3 to 1825. Required only when Retention Type is set to Retain for a specified period.
    Day of WeekThe days on which backups are copied to the destination region. For example, selecting Monday and Wednesday copies all manual backups, the first standard backup, and the first high-frequency backup from those days.
    Cross-region Log Backup StatusWhether to enable log backup for cross-region backup. Log backup is not supported for replica set instances. For sharded cluster instances, log backup is required for cross-region restore and cannot be disabled.
    Compliance StatementRead and select I have read and agreed to the compliance statement.
    ParameterExample value
    Source RegionChina (Hangzhou)
    Backup RegionChina (Beijing)
    Retention TypeRetain for a specified period
    Cross-region Backup Retention Period (Days)30
    Day of WeekMonday, Wednesday, Friday
    Cross-region Log Backup StatusEnabled
  5. Click OK.

Modify cross-region backup settings

  1. Go to the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Replica Set Instances page or the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Sharded Cluster Instances page. Select a resource group and a region, then click the ID of the target instance.

  2. In the left navigation pane, click Backup and Restoration.

  3. Click Backup Settings.

  4. Click Edit. In the Backup Settings panel, under Advanced Features, modify the parameters under Cross-region Backup. The configurable parameters are the same as those described in Enable cross-region backup.

  5. Click OK.

View cross-region backup files

  1. Go to the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Replica Set Instances page or the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Sharded Cluster Instances page. Select a resource group and a region, then click the ID of the target instance.

  2. In the left navigation pane, click Backup and Restoration.

  3. Click the Cross-region Backup tab to view backup files for the current instance.

Disable cross-region backup

Important

Disabling cross-region backup stops new backups and eliminates network traffic fees, but existing backup files are not deleted immediately and continue to incur storage fees. To stop storage charges, set Cross-region Backup Retention Period (Days) to 3 before disabling. Backup files are automatically deleted after 3 days.

  1. Go to the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Replica Set Instances page or the ApsaraDB for MongoDB Sharded Cluster Instances page. Select a resource group and a region, then click the ID of the target instance.

  2. In the left navigation pane, click Backup and Restoration.

  3. Click Backup Settings.

  4. Clear the Cross-region Backup checkbox.

  5. Click OK.

Restore from a cross-region backup

To restore data to a new or existing instance in the destination region, see Restore data across regions.

API reference

APIDescription
DescribeBackupsQueries the backup list of a replica set instance.
DescribeClusterBackupsQueries the backup list of a sharded cluster instance.
ModifyBackupPolicyModifies the backup policy of an instance.
DescribeBackupPolicyQueries the backup policy of an instance.
CheckRecoveryConditionChecks whether a cloud disk instance meets data restoration conditions.

References