XeroWP
SandyWP Cloner
SandyWP Cloner

SandyWP Cloner

5/5 (2 ratings) — active installs Updated Jul 27, 2026
backupclonemigrationsandboxstaging
Download v4.8.2 Plugin Website
The clone screen: how big your database and media are, what the clone will cost you in time, and one button to start it.

The clone screen: how big your database and media are, what the clone will cost you in time, and one button to start it.

SandyWP Cloner copies your live site into a throwaway SandyWP sandbox so you can test plugins, themes, updates, or hand a client a safe playground without touching production.

Click once and the plugin works in the background while you keep using your site:

  1. Packages your database and wp-content into a single archive.
  2. Uploads it securely to your SandyWP account (large sites use resumable, direct-to-storage uploads).
  3. SandyWP lays down clean WordPress core, restores your content, and rewrites URLs.
  4. The new sandbox URL with a one-click admin login appears right on the screen.

A live progress screen shows each step. You can close the page and come back; the clone keeps running.

You need a SandyWP account to use this plugin. Connect in one click with the Connect to SandyWP button (no token to copy), or paste a personal API token (Account API keys) as a fallback.

Why use it

  • One-click clone no manual export/import, no FTP, no database juggling.
  • Runs in the background with a real-time status screen.
  • Handles large sites: resumable, chunked uploads that survive flaky connections.
  • Your live site is never modified only read.

Third-Party Service

This plugin sends your site’s data to SandyWP, a third-party hosting service, to create the sandbox clone. It is not functional without a SandyWP account.

  • Connecting your account: clicking “Connect to SandyWP” opens SandyWP in your browser to authorize this site (an OAuth authorization-code + PKCE flow); SandyWP then returns a connection key scoped to cloning only. Your site URL is sent as part of this request. Alternatively you can paste a personal API token, which is verified against SandyWP’s identity endpoint.
  • What is sent when cloning: your site’s database export and a copy of your wp-content files, plus your site URL, WordPress version, and PHP version (in a small manifest). Data is transmitted to the SandyWP URL you configure (default https://app.sandywp.com) using the connection key.
  • When: account data is sent when you connect; site data is sent only when you click “Clone to SandyWP”.
  • Service: SandyWP https://sandywp.com
  • Terms of Service: https://sandywp.com/terms
  • Privacy Policy: https://sandywp.com/privacy