How to Backup a Self-Hosted Mastodon Instance Database

If you run a self-hosted Mastodon instance, losing the database means losing all user accounts, posts, follows, and settings. The database is the central component that stores every piece of data except media files and custom emoji. Without a recent backup, an accidental deletion, server crash, or software update failure can destroy your community. This … Read more

Mastodon Export Frequency Limit: How Often You Can Request One

Mastodon allows you to download an archive of your account data, including posts, media, followers, and lists. However, you cannot request an export every few minutes. The server enforces a cooldown period between export requests to prevent abuse and reduce server load. This article explains the exact frequency limit, how to check your next eligible … Read more

How to Migrate Mastodon Lists With the API

Moving a Mastodon account between instances often preserves followers but leaves your carefully organized lists behind. Mastodon lists let you group accounts by topic or workflow, and rebuilding them manually can take hours. This article explains how to export list data from your old account and import it into a new one using the Mastodon … Read more