docs: clarify pause and restore uses physical backup (#44580)

## I have read the
[CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/supabase/supabase/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md)
file.

YES

## What kind of change does this PR introduce?

Docs update. This behaviour wasn't previously documented and causes
confusion for customers wondering what data state their project will be
restored to.

## Additional context

Ref slack (Paul at Infra Data):

https://supabase.slack.com/archives/C091448H1AM/p1767813291309359?thread_ts=1765466738731989&cid=C091448H1AM

<!-- This is an auto-generated comment: release notes by coderabbit.ai
-->
## Summary by CodeRabbit

* **Documentation**
* Strengthened pause-and-restore guidance to explicitly state downtime
occurs during pausing.
* Updated pause wording to indicate users are redirected “in the
meantime” (removed explicit duration).
* Clarified restore is performed from a physical backup and that users
will receive an email when complete.
* Replaced detailed teardown caveat with a concise note: restoration
time depends on database size; contact support if it fails.
<!-- end of auto-generated comment: release notes by coderabbit.ai -->
This commit is contained in:
Tina Ha authored and GitHub committed 2026-04-07 11:09:21 -04:00
1 parent 4a41db591f
commit 5d02142004
1 file changed
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@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@ We recommend using the In-place upgrade method, as it is faster, and more reliab
</Admonition>
When you pause and restore a project, the restored database includes the latest features. This method _does_ include downtime, so be aware that your project will be inaccessible for a short period of time.
When you pause and restore a project, the restored database includes the latest features. **This method includes downtime**, so be aware that your project will be inaccessible for a short period of time.
1. On the [General Settings](/dashboard/project/_/settings/general) page in the Dashboard, click **Pause project**. You will be redirected to the home screen as your project is pausing. This process can take several minutes.
1. After your project is paused, click **Restore project**. The restoration can take several minutes depending on how much data your database has. You will receive an email once the restoration is complete.
1. On the [General Settings](/dashboard/project/_/settings/general) page in the Dashboard, click **Pause project**. You will be redirected to the home screen in the meantime.
1. After this, click **Restore project**. Your project will be restored from the [physical backup](/guides/platform/backups). You should receive an email once the restoration is complete.
Note that a pause + restore upgrade involves tearing down your project's resources before bringing them back up again. If the restore process should fail, manual intervention from Supabase support will be required to bring your project back online.
Pausing and restoring project will take some time depending on how much data your database has. If the restore process fails, [contact Supabase support](/dashboard/support/new?projectRef=) to bring your project back online.
## Caveats