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Back up one database from Terminal
Open Terminal and run the command from an account that can read the database. Replace db_name with the database name and choose a destination you can find and protect:
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mysqldump db_name > backup-file.sqlThis basic MySQL 8.0 example writes backup-file.sql in Terminal’s current working directory. To choose a different location, use a full or relative path, for example ~/Documents/backup-file.sql. The resulting file contains SQL statements for recreating database objects and table contents; it is a logical export, not a copy of every MySQL server file. MySQL 8.0: mysqldump describes the utility and its options.
If MySQL prompts for a password, enter it at the prompt rather than putting it directly in the command, where it could be retained in shell history. Authentication methods differ by local installation and account configuration, so use the method configured for your MySQL account.
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Back up all databases instead
The one-database command does not export every database. For a full logical dump of all databases, MySQL documents this separate command:
mysqldump --all-databases > all_databases.sqlChoose the scope deliberately: an all-databases dump can include more data than you intend to move or restore.
Find mysqldump if Terminal cannot
If Terminal reports command not found, the MySQL utilities may not be on your shell’s PATH, or the command-line tools may not be installed. MySQL’s macOS documentation covers both the native package installer and compressed TAR archive installation; their utility locations can differ. Use the mysqldump and mysql executables belonging to your installation, and resolve their location or update your PATH as appropriate rather than assuming one universal macOS path. See MySQL 8.0: Installing MySQL on macOS.
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Improve consistency for InnoDB tables
For a database whose tables are all InnoDB, --single-transaction can produce an online dump without locking all tables for the entire operation. For example, MySQL’s backup-policy guidance includes a form that also records source-data metadata:
mysqldump --single-transaction --source-data=2 db_name > backup-file.sqlUse this option only with an understanding of the database’s engines and concurrent activity. It is not a universal consistency guarantee: nontransactional tables and concurrent DDL operations need care. The documented combination with source-data metadata also has a brief initial lock behavior. Check the manual for the installed client version and the options it supports before relying on this exact form. See MySQL 8.0: Establishing a Backup Policy.
A logical dump can be made at server, database, or table scope and works across storage engines, but it does not include server logs, configuration files, or other files outside the logical database contents. If point-in-time recovery is needed, a dump alone is insufficient: that workflow also depends on binary logs and server configuration.
Restore a .sql file into MySQL
First confirm the destination server and database. The import sends the file’s SQL statements to the database named in the command; choosing the wrong target can change data on that server.
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If the destination database does not exist, create it deliberately using an account and setup method appropriate for your local server. The exact creation and authentication steps vary by MySQL version and account configuration.
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In Terminal, run the MySQL client with the intended database name and the path to the dump:
mysql db_name < backup-file.sqlFor a file elsewhere, replace
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Wait for the command to finish and check for errors. Confirm that expected tables and data are present in the destination.
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The restore pattern above is documented in MySQL 8.0: mysqldump. A dump’s contents and options affect what statements it runs, so do not treat importing into an existing database as a harmless merge. Test an unfamiliar dump in a separate database before using it on data you need to keep.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verify the backup and keep a recoverable copy
A successful command exit and a nonempty SQL file are useful initial checks, but they do not prove that the dump can be restored correctly. The practical verification is a test import into a separate database, followed by inspection of expected tables and representative rows.
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Keep the dump somewhere other than the MySQL data directory, and retain a second copy away from the Mac if the data matters. An external drive is one possible destination, not a substitute for checking the file or testing recovery.
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Record which database and server the dump came from, when it was made, and which MySQL version or client generated it. This helps avoid restoring into the wrong target or assuming compatibility without checking.
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For important data, define how often backups are made and how long copies are kept; a single SQL file is not a recovery plan unless it remains available and restorable.
When a logical dump is not enough
A logical dump is portable, inspectable, and convenient for ordinary local development databases. Its SQL statements must be replayed during restore, which can be slow for substantial datasets; MySQL does not position mysqldump as a fast, scalable solution for large volumes.
Physical backups copy underlying data files. MySQL describes them as faster to make and restore, with less portability and more requirements for handling server files and state correctly. Do not copy a live data directory casually and assume it is a consistent backup. For large, important datasets or faster recovery needs, consult the version-appropriate MySQL physical-backup guidance: MySQL 8.0: Backup and Recovery Types.
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