# Import PostgreSQL database backups to Lightsail managed databases
<a name="amazon-lightsail-importing-data-into-your-postgres-database"></a>

You can import a database backup file into your PostgreSQL managed database in Amazon Lightsail using pgAdmin.

**Note**  
To learn how to connect pgAdmin to your database, see [Connect to your PostgreSQL database](amazon-lightsail-connecting-to-your-postgres-database.md). For more information about creating a PostgreSQL database backup that you can import to another database, see [Backup Dialog](https://www.pgadmin.org/docs/) in the pgAdmin documentation.

**To import a backup file into your database**

1. Open pgAdmin.

1. In the list of server connections, double-click your PostgreSQL managed database in Amazon Lightsail to connect to it.

1. Expand the **Databases** node

1. Right-click the database in which you would like to import data from a database backup file, then choose **Restore**.  
![\[Restoring a database in pgAdmin.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-lightsail-pgadmin-restore-database.png)

1. In the **Restore** form, complete the following fields:
   + **Format** — Choose the format of your backup file.
   + **Filename** — Choose the ellipsis icon, then locate and choose the database backup file on your local drive. After the file is highlighted, choose **Select** to go back to the **Restore** prompt.
**Note**  
Choose the **Format** drop-down menu, and select **All files** to view all file formats on your local drive. Your backup file might be saved as a file type that is different than what is selected by default (sql).  
![\[Importing a backup file.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-lightsail-pgadmin-restore-backup-select-file.png)
   + **Number of jobs** and **Role name** — Leave these fields blank.

1. Choose **Restore** to start the import.

   Your import may take a few minutes or more depending on the size of the database backup file. After the import is complete, you should see a message similar to the following:  
![\[Successful restore of PostgreSQL database backup file.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lightsail/latest/userguide/images/amazon-lightsail-pgadmin-successful-restore.png)