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ApsaraDB RDS:Restore data across regions

Last Updated:Oct 12, 2026

If you have a cross-region backup, you can use its backup file to restore data to a new instance in the backup's destination region.

Prerequisites

You have completed a cross-region backup.

Note

Cross-region restore to a new instance

  1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select a region.

  2. On the Cross-region Backup tab, click the Backup Instances tab. Then, click the source instance ID to go to the Cross-region Backup Recovery page.

  3. Find the target backup set and click Restore in the Actions column.

    Note

    You can restore SQL Server data from a full or incremental backup set. You cannot restore data from a log backup set alone.

  4. In the dialog box that appears, click OK.

    Note

    You can restore data only to a new instance. Restoring data to an existing instance is not supported.

  5. On the Restore Database page, configure the following parameters.

    Note

    By default, the new instance inherits the database engine, version, edition, and storage type from the source instance. These settings cannot be changed.

    Parameter

    Description

    Billing Method

    • Subscription : This is a prepaid billing method. You pay when you create the new instance. This option is ideal for long-term needs and is more cost-effective than pay-as-you-go. The longer the subscription duration, the higher the discount.

    • Pay-As-You-Go: This is a postpaid, hourly billing method. This option is suitable for short-term needs. You can release the instance at any time to save costs.

    Restore Mode

    • By Backup Set: Restores data from a backup set to a new instance.

    • By Time: Restores data to a new instance from a specific point in time within the log backup retention period.

    By Backup Set

    If Restore Mode is set to By Backup Set, select the backup set to use.

    Restoration Time

    If Restore Mode is set to By Time, select a restoration point in time.

    Database

    Select whether to restore All or Part databases.

    Note
    • If you select to restore some databases, use commas (,) to separate multiple database names. Example: TestDB1,TestDB2,TestDB3.

    • If the source instance uses the snapshot backup method and you select to restore by point in time, all databases are restored by default. You cannot restore specific databases.

    Region

    The region of the new instance. By default, this is the destination region for the cross-region backup and cannot be changed.

    Disk Encryption

    If the source instance uses the physical backup method, you can specify whether to enable cloud disk encryption for the new instance. This feature encrypts all data on the disk at the block level. If you select this option, the feature is enabled, and the default key type is the RDS-managed service key (Default Service CMK).

    Note
    • If the source instance uses the snapshot backup method, you do not need to configure this parameter. The new instance has cloud disk encryption enabled by default, with the key type set to the RDS-managed service key (Default Service CMK). Currently, only Cluster Edition ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instances support snapshot backup in cross-region backup mode.

    • For more information, see Comparison between snapshot backup and physical backup.

    Zone

    You can deploy an instance in a single zone or across multiple zones:

    • Single-zone deployment: The primary and standby nodes are deployed in the same zone.

    • Multi-zone deployment (recommended): The primary and standby nodes are deployed in different zones to support disaster recovery.

    Note
    • After you create an instance, you can view information about its primary and standby nodes on the Service Availability page.

    • RDS Basic Edition instances support only single-zone deployment.

    Instance Type

    1. Select a Category (general-purpose, dedicated, or shared). The available instance types vary depending on the instance edition and version. The options displayed in the console prevail.

      Category

      Description

      Features

      General-purpose

      Dedicated: memory and I/O

      Shared: CPU and storage

      Cost-effective

      Dedicated

      Dedicated: CPU, memory, storage, and I/O

      Note

      The dedicated-host type is the top-tier configuration of the dedicated category. It exclusively uses the CPU, memory, storage, and I/O resources of an entire physical server.

      Provides superior and stable performance

      Note

      The basic edition does not support dedicated instance types.

      Shared

      Dedicated: memory, storage

      Shared: CPU

      Cost-effective for workloads with lower stability requirements

    2. Select a specific instance type based on parameters such as the number of CPU cores, memory size, and maximum number of connections.

      Note

      For a list of specifications, see Primary ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance types.

    Capacity

    The storage capacity includes the space for data, system files, log files, and transaction files. The available range of storage capacity depends on the instance type and storage type that you select. You can adjust the storage capacity in 5 GB increments.

  6. Click Next: Instance Configuration. Configure the network type and resource group for the instance by setting the following parameters.

    Category

    Description

    Network type

    • classic network: The traditional network type.

    • VPC (Recommended): A VPC is an isolated network that offers higher security and performance than a classic network. If you select this option, you must also specify a VPC and a vSwitch of Primary Node.

    Note

    Make sure that the ApsaraDB RDS instance and the ECS instance that you want to connect to are in the same network. If you select the VPC network type, they must be in the same VPC. Otherwise, they cannot communicate over the internal network.

    Resource group

    Resource groups allow you to manage your Alibaba Cloud resources in logical groups. This simplifies resource organization and permission management. You can select an existing resource group or create a new one. If you have no resource grouping requirements, select the Default Resource Group.

  7. Click Next: Confirm Order.

  8. Review the Parameter Configuration section, set Quantity and Subscription Duration (subscription billing only), click Confirm Order, and complete payment.

    Note

    For subscription instances, enable Auto-renew to avoid manual renewals and service interruptions from overdue payments.

  9. (Optional) After the restoration, log on to the new instance and verify the data.

Related documents

After you create the instance, you must configure an IP address whitelist and create accounts. If you want to connect to the instance over the internet, you must also apply for a public endpoint. Then, you can connect to the instance.

Related APIs

API

Description

Precheck cross-region backup

Checks if a restorable cross-region backup set is available for an ApsaraDB RDS instance.

Restore data across regions to a new instance

Restores data to a new cross-region instance.

Modify cross-region backup settings

Modifies the cross-region backup settings of an ApsaraDB RDS instance.

Query cross-region backup settings

Queries cross-region backup settings.

Query cross-region data backup files

Lists cross-region data backup files.

Query cross-region log backup files

Lists cross-region log backup files.

Query available destination regions for cross-region backup

Queries available destination regions for cross-region backups from the selected source region.

Query the restorable time range for a cross-region backup

Queries the restorable time range of a selected backup file.

Query cross-region backup instances

Queries cross-region backup settings for instances in the selected region.