What Happens to My Data If I Cancel?

If you cancel a hosting plan with dotCanada, it's important to understand what happens to your website files, databases, and emails - and how much time you have to back everything up.

Immediately After Cancellation

When a cancellation is processed, your hosting service remains active until the end of your current billing period (if you requested end-of-term cancellation). During this time, your data is still accessible and you can continue to back it up.

The Grace Period

After your service expires or is immediately cancelled, dotCanada retains your data for a short grace period. This window exists in case you change your mind or need to retrieve something you forgot to back up. The exact length of the grace period may vary.

Permanent Deletion

Once the grace period ends, all associated data - including website files, databases, email accounts, and backups - is permanently and irreversibly deleted. dotCanada cannot recover this data after deletion.

What You Should Back Up

• All website files (download via FTP or your file manager)
• MySQL or other databases (export via phpMyAdmin or similar tool)
• Email messages (download via your email client before cancellation)
• Any other content stored in your hosting environment

Act Before Cancellation

We strongly recommend completing your backups before submitting a cancellation request - don't rely on the grace period as your only backup window.

Need help exporting your data before leaving? Contact our support team and we'll point you in the right direction.