🔍 Introduction

Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides powerful database solutions through its RDS (Relational Database Service).
Sometimes, due to data loss, corruption, or accidental deletion, you may need to restore an RDS database from a backup.
In this guide, we will walk you through the process of restoring an AWS RDS database step by step, whether you’re using
automated snapshots, manual snapshots, or point-in-time recovery.

📌 Prerequisites

• Access to the AWS Management Console
• IAM permissions to manage RDS
• Backup (automated snapshot, manual snapshot, or point-in-time enabled)

🛠️ Methods of Restoring RDS

AWS provides several methods to restore a database:

• Restore from an Automated Backup
• Restore from a Manual Snapshot
• Point-in-Time Recovery

🔄 Method 1: Restore from an Automated Backup

Steps:

1. Login to the AWS Management Console and navigate to the RDS Dashboard.
2. Select Databases and choose the database you want to restore.
3. Click on Actions → Restore to point in time.
4. Choose the time you want to restore to (can be up to 35 days back).
5. Enter a new DB instance identifier (it will create a new RDS instance).
6. Configure DB settings (VPC, security group, instance class, etc.).
7. Click Restore DB Instance.

Note:

Automated backups must be enabled on your original RDS instance.

📸 Method 2: Restore from a Manual Snapshot

Steps:

1. Go to the Snapshots section in the RDS dashboard.
2. Choose the manual snapshot you want to restore.
3. Click on Actions → Restore Snapshot.
4. Provide a new name for the DB instance.
5. Configure the database settings as needed.
6. Click Restore DB Instance and wait for the restoration to complete.

Info:

Manual snapshots are retained even if the original database is deleted.

🕒 Method 3: Point-in-Time Recovery

When to Use:

This is helpful when you want to restore your RDS instance to a specific moment just before a mistake was made (e.g., dropped table).

Steps:

1. From the RDS dashboard, select the source database.
2. Click Actions → Restore to point in time.
3. Specify the exact date and time for recovery.
4. Provide a new DB instance identifier and customize settings as needed.
5. Click Restore DB Instance.

Important:

Your RDS instance must have point-in-time recovery enabled beforehand.

✅ After Restoring

• Update your application or connection strings to point to the new DB instance.
• Test the restored database thoroughly before using it in production.
• Apply any necessary security groups or parameter group configurations.

💡 Best Practices

• Enable automated backups for all production databases.
• Take manual snapshots before any major update or schema change.
• Use naming conventions to easily identify restored databases.
• Clean up unused snapshots to avoid unnecessary charges.

🧾 Conclusion

Restoring an AWS RDS database is a straightforward process when you understand the available options.
Whether you’re recovering from a data loss event or duplicating a database for testing purposes,
AWS provides reliable tools for each scenario. Always ensure your backup strategy is solid to protect your valuable data.