How to Disable UpdraftPlus Backup Prompt When Updating Plugins in WordPress

UpdraftPlus is a popular WordPress backup plugin that ensures you have a restore point before making major changes to your site. However, if you frequently update plugins or manage multiple WordPress sites, you might find the persistent “Backup before updating” popup nag a bit annoying.

Fortunately, you can disable this prompt using a simple configuration setting. Here’s how to do it.

Disable UpdraftPlus Auto Backup Prompt

By default, UpdraftPlus encourages you to back up your site before upgrading any plugins. While this is a good practice, it can slow down your workflow if you already have an alternative backup strategy in place.

To disable the automatic backup prompt when upgrading plugins, add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

// Disable UpdraftPlus automatic backup prompts
define('UPDRAFTPLUS_NOAUTOBACKUPS', true);

Steps to Apply This Fix:

1. Access Your WordPress Files: Use FTP, cPanel File Manager, or SSH to connect to your site.
2. Locate wp-config.php: You’ll find this file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
3. Edit the File: Open wp-config.php in a code editor or the file manager’s built-in editor.
4. Add the Constant: Insert define('UPDRAFTPLUS_NOAUTOBACKUPS', true); just before the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
5. Save and Upload: If using FTP, upload the updated file back to your server.
6. Test Your Site: Log into your WordPress dashboard and try upgrading a plugin. The UpdraftPlus backup prompt should no longer appear.

Why Disable This Prompt?

• Faster Plugin Updates: If you manage multiple plugins, skipping this step speeds up the process.
• Alternative Backup Solutions: If you already have scheduled backups via a hosting provider or another plugin, the extra prompt is unnecessary.
• Less Disruption: The nag screen can become tedious if you’re updating plugins frequently across multiple sites.

Final Thoughts

This quick tweak allows you to streamline your WordPress maintenance without unnecessary interruptions from UpdraftPlus. However, always ensure you have a reliable backup system in place before making any major updates to your site.

If you ever want to re-enable the backup prompts, simply remove the define('UPDRAFTPLUS_NOAUTOBACKUPS', true);line from wp-config.php.

Happy updating!