[FAQ] Docker: How to Back Up and Restore PostgreSQL Data Stored in Docker Volumes

[kkh1902]

Course

data-engineering-zoomcamp

Question

How can I back up and restore PostgreSQL data that is stored in a Docker volume?

Answer

Method 1: Docker volume backup

# List Docker volumes
docker volume ls

# Backup while the container is running
docker run --rm \
  -v ny_taxi_postgres_data:/data \
  -v $(pwd):/backup \
  ubuntu tar czf /backup/postgres_backup.tar.gz /data

# Restore
docker run --rm \
  -v ny_taxi_postgres_data:/data \
  -v $(pwd):/backup \
  ubuntu tar xzf /backup/postgres_backup.tar.gz -C /

Method 2: Using pg_dump

# Backup
docker exec -t postgres_container pg_dump -U root -d ny_taxi > ny_taxi_backup.sql

# Restore
docker exec -i postgres_container psql -U root -d ny_taxi < ny_taxi_backup.sql

Method 3: Copying the host directory

# When using a host-mounted directory in docker-compose.yaml
cp -r ./ny_taxi_postgres_data ./ny_taxi_postgres_data_backup

Checklist

• I have searched existing FAQs and this question is not already answered
• The answer provides accurate, helpful information
• I have included any relevant code examples or links

[github-actions]

✅ FAQ NEW proposal created in PR #65

Please review and approve the changes.