diff --git a/steward/app.py b/steward/app.py
index 19dc84e..bd14640 100644
--- a/steward/app.py
+++ b/steward/app.py
@@ -175,6 +175,10 @@ def create_app(
     app.jinja_env.globals["csrf_field"] = _csrf.csrf_field
     # The sign-in page offers "Forgot your password?" only while mail can send (milestone 497).
     app.jinja_env.globals["reset_by_email"] = lambda: bool(app.config.get("SMTP", {}).get("host"))
+    # While a backup is being restored nothing else reads or writes the
+    # database: a page says so, and agents get a 503 to retry (#5816).
+    from .backup import restoring as _restoring
+    app.before_request(_restoring.gate)
     app.before_request(_csrf.check_request)
     # The session cookie is Secure, and HSTS is sent, only on requests that
     # arrived over HTTPS — directly or as a trusted proxy reports it
@@ -595,5 +599,6 @@ async def _mark_interrupted_runs(app: Quart) -> None:
 
 
 async def _run_scheduler(app: Quart) -> None:
+    from .backup.restoring import is_restoring
     from .core.scheduler import start_scheduler
-    await start_scheduler(app._task_registry)
+    await start_scheduler(app._task_registry, paused=is_restoring)
diff --git a/steward/audit/service.py b/steward/audit/service.py
index e7683b8..3e61c8d 100644
--- a/steward/audit/service.py
+++ b/steward/audit/service.py
@@ -200,6 +200,8 @@ ACTIONS = {
     "prometheus.template_deleted": "deleted Prometheus widget template",
     "backup.made": "sent a backup",
     "backup.failed": "tried to send a backup, which failed:",
+    "backup.restored": "restored Steward from a backup",
+    "backup.restore_failed": "tried to restore Steward from a backup, which failed:",
 }
 
 # The filter's choices: an area, matched as a prefix of the action code.
diff --git a/steward/auth/csrf.py b/steward/auth/csrf.py
index 561ea1d..d6d8b90 100644
--- a/steward/auth/csrf.py
+++ b/steward/auth/csrf.py
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ def rotate() -> None:
 # a backup file (settings only is small; an older one carries the audit log).
 UPLOAD_LIMITS: dict[str, int] = {
     "/settings/backups/check/file/": 512 * 1024 * 1024,
+    "/settings/backups/restore/file/": 512 * 1024 * 1024,
 }
 
 
diff --git a/steward/backup/restoring.py b/steward/backup/restoring.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09efb79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/steward/backup/restoring.py
@@ -0,0 +1,272 @@
+"""Restoring mode (#5816): what a running Steward does while a backup goes back
+in, from Settings → Backups.
+
+1. Read the backup and refuse it up front if it can't go in: not a backup,
+   or a different secret key while STEWARD_SECRET_KEY pins this one.
+2. Take a safety backup of Steward as it stands: kept on /data/backups and
+   sent to the bucket when one is set. A restore can then be undone the same
+   way. Without it nothing goes further.
+3. While it runs, Steward is restoring: the scheduler holds its ticks, agent
+   ingest answers 503 (agents keep their samples and send them again), and
+   every page says what is happening.
+4. In place for a backup of this schema (restore.restore_in_place), or a
+   full replace the person agreed to for an older one.
+5. The backup's key is put in place, the restore audited, and the process
+   exits with RESTART_EXIT_CODE. Swarm, compose or systemd starts it again,
+   and settings, the key and plugins load fresh. The person who restored
+   signs in again: users came back from the backup.
+
+A restore that fails in place has changed nothing; Steward carries on and
+says why. A full replace that fails part-way leaves an empty database, so
+Steward restarts into first-run setup, where the safety backup can be
+uploaded.
+"""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import json
+import logging
+import os
+import re
+import secrets
+import shutil
+import signal
+import time
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+from pathlib import Path
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+SAFETY_DIR = Path("/data/backups")
+# Safety backups kept on /data, newest first; older ones are on the bucket.
+SAFETY_KEEP = 5
+# Not 0: systemd's Restart=on-failure restarts only a failed exit.
+RESTART_EXIT_CODE = 3
+# Long enough for the restoring page's next poll to say it is done.
+EXIT_DELAY_SECONDS = 5
+# A backup chosen for restore waits here between its check and the
+# confirmation (#5817); one not confirmed within the hour is removed.
+STAGED_SECONDS = 3600
+
+
+@dataclass
+class Restoring:
+    active: bool = False
+    name: str = ""
+    by: str = ""
+    since: datetime | None = None
+    step: str = ""
+    error: str = ""
+    restart_requested: bool = False
+
+
+STATE = Restoring()
+_tasks: set[asyncio.Task] = set()
+
+
+def is_restoring() -> bool:
+    return STATE.active
+
+
+def start_restore(app, path: Path, name: str, *, username: str, replace_all: bool = False,
+                  owned_dir: Path | None = None) -> bool:
+    """Start restoring `path` in the background; False if a restore is already
+    under way. `owned_dir`, when given, is removed once it is over."""
+    if STATE.active or STATE.restart_requested:
+        return False
+    STATE.active, STATE.name, STATE.by = True, name, username
+    STATE.since, STATE.step, STATE.error = datetime.now(timezone.utc), "Reading the backup", ""
+    task = asyncio.get_running_loop().create_task(
+        _run(app, path, name, username=username, replace_all=replace_all, owned_dir=owned_dir))
+    _tasks.add(task)
+    task.add_done_callback(_tasks.discard)
+    return True
+
+
+async def _run(app, path: Path, name: str, *, username: str, replace_all: bool,
+               owned_dir: Path | None) -> None:
+    from steward.core.audit import log_audit
+
+    from .dump import BackupError
+    from .s3 import S3Error
+    wiped = False
+    try:
+        key = await asyncio.to_thread(_backup_key, path)
+        pinned = os.environ.get("STEWARD_SECRET_KEY")
+        if pinned and pinned != key:
+            raise BackupError("STEWARD_SECRET_KEY is set and differs from the backup's key; "
+                              "set it to the backup's key first, or its passwords and keys can't be read.")
+        STATE.step = "Saving a safety backup of Steward as it stands"
+        safety = await _safety_backup(app)
+        STATE.step = "Restoring"
+        plugin_dirs = [Path(d) for d in app.config["PLUGIN_DIRS"]]
+        if replace_all:
+            from .restore import restore
+            wiped = True
+            done = await restore(path, app.config["DATABASE_URL"], wipe=True, plugin_dirs=plugin_dirs)
+            detail = {"mode": "replaced everything"}
+        else:
+            from .restore import restore_in_place
+            done = await restore_in_place(path, app.config["DATABASE_URL"], plugin_dirs=plugin_dirs)
+            detail = {"mode": "in place", "tables": len(done.tables), "rows": done.rows,
+                      "put_right": done.fixed}
+        if done.secret_key != app.config["SECRET_KEY"] and not pinned:
+            _write_key(done.secret_key)
+        await log_audit(app, None, username, "backup.restored", entity_type="backup",
+                        entity_id=name, detail=detail | {"safety_backup": safety})
+        logger.warning("Restored %s (%s); restarting", name, detail["mode"])
+        STATE.step = "Restored. Steward is restarting; sign in again when it is back"
+        _restart_soon()
+    except (BackupError, S3Error, OSError) as exc:
+        _failed(app, name, username, str(exc), wiped)
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.exception("Restore of %s failed", name)
+        _failed(app, name, username, f"Unexpected error: {exc}", wiped)
+    finally:
+        if owned_dir is not None:
+            shutil.rmtree(owned_dir, ignore_errors=True)
+
+
+def _failed(app, name: str, username: str, error: str, wiped: bool) -> None:
+    from steward.core.audit import log_audit
+    logger.error("Restore of %s failed: %s", name, error)
+    STATE.error = error
+    if wiped:
+        # The database was dropped before the restore failed: start again
+        # into first-run setup, where the safety backup can be uploaded.
+        STATE.step = ("The restore failed after the database was emptied; Steward is restarting "
+                      "into first-run setup, where the safety backup can be uploaded")
+        _restart_soon()
+        return
+    STATE.active = False
+    task = asyncio.get_running_loop().create_task(log_audit(
+        app, None, username, "backup.restore_failed", entity_type="backup", entity_id=name,
+        detail={"error": error}))
+    _tasks.add(task)
+    task.add_done_callback(_tasks.discard)
+
+
+def _backup_key(path: Path) -> str:
+    import tarfile
+
+    from .dump import KEY_NAME, BackupError
+    try:
+        with tarfile.open(path, "r") as tar:
+            return tar.extractfile(KEY_NAME).read().decode().strip()
+    except (tarfile.TarError, OSError, KeyError, AttributeError):
+        raise BackupError(f"{path.name} isn't a Steward backup.") from None
+
+
+async def _safety_backup(app) -> str:
+    """A backup of Steward as it stands, before anything is replaced: on
+    /data/backups always, and on the bucket when one is set. Its run is in
+    Recent backups like any other."""
+    from steward.core.settings import get_all_settings
+
+    from .dump import make_backup
+    from .job import _record, migration_heads, target_from
+    from .s3 import put_file
+    SAFETY_DIR.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    url = app.config["DATABASE_URL"]
+    made = await make_backup(url, app.config["SECRET_KEY"], await migration_heads(url), SAFETY_DIR)
+    async with app.db_sessionmaker() as db:
+        target = target_from(await get_all_settings(db))
+    entry = {"at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(), "ok": True, "by": "before restore",
+             "name": made.name, "size": made.size, "secs": 0.0, "error": ""}
+    if target is not None:
+        await put_file(target, made.name, made.path)
+    else:
+        entry["error"] = "Kept on /data/backups only: no bucket is set up."
+    await _record(app, entry, None, "")
+    _prune()
+    return made.name
+
+
+def _prune() -> None:
+    kept = sorted(SAFETY_DIR.glob("steward-*.tar"), reverse=True)
+    for old in kept[SAFETY_KEEP:]:
+        old.unlink(missing_ok=True)
+
+
+def _write_key(key: str) -> None:
+    from steward.config import _SECRET_KEY_FILE
+    _SECRET_KEY_FILE.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    _SECRET_KEY_FILE.write_text(key)
+    _SECRET_KEY_FILE.chmod(0o600)
+
+
+def _restart_soon() -> None:
+    STATE.restart_requested = True
+    loop = asyncio.get_running_loop()
+    loop.call_later(EXIT_DELAY_SECONDS, os.kill, os.getpid(), signal.SIGTERM)
+
+
+# ── Chosen, checked, waiting for a yes (#5817) ─────────────────────────────
+
+@dataclass
+class Staged:
+    token: str
+    dir: Path
+    name: str = ""
+    schema: str = ""
+    ok: bool = False
+
+    @property
+    def path(self) -> Path:
+        return self.dir / "backup.tar"
+
+    def save(self) -> None:
+        (self.dir / "staged.json").write_text(json.dumps(
+            {"name": self.name, "schema": self.schema, "ok": self.ok}))
+
+
+def _staging() -> Path:
+    return SAFETY_DIR / "incoming"
+
+
+def stage() -> Staged:
+    """A fresh place to hold one backup until its restore is confirmed. Old
+    ones not confirmed are removed first."""
+    root = _staging()
+    root.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    cutoff = time.time() - STAGED_SECONDS
+    for old in root.iterdir():
+        if old.stat().st_mtime < cutoff:
+            shutil.rmtree(old, ignore_errors=True)
+    token = secrets.token_hex(16)
+    (root / token).mkdir(mode=0o700)
+    return Staged(token, root / token)
+
+
+def staged(token: str) -> Staged | None:
+    """The backup held under `token`, or None when there is none (or it was
+    removed for its age)."""
+    if not re.fullmatch(r"[0-9a-f]{32}", token or ""):
+        return None
+    d = _staging() / token
+    try:
+        meta = json.loads((d / "staged.json").read_text())
+    except (OSError, ValueError):
+        return None
+    if not (d / "backup.tar").is_file():
+        return None
+    return Staged(token, d, meta.get("name", ""), meta.get("schema", ""), bool(meta.get("ok")))
+
+
+# ── While it runs ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+async def gate():
+    """before_request: while restoring, nothing reads or writes the database.
+    Agents and scripts get a 503 to retry; a page says what is happening."""
+    from quart import Response, g, render_template, request
+    if not (STATE.active or STATE.restart_requested) or request.path.startswith("/static/"):
+        return None
+    g.database_down = True        # the page's own reads (the sidebar's alert count) wait
+    headers = {"Retry-After": "30"}
+    wants_page = "text/html" in request.headers.get("Accept", "")
+    if request.method != "GET" or request.headers.get("HX-Request") or not wants_page:
+        return Response("Steward is restoring a backup; try again shortly.", status=503,
+                        headers=headers, content_type="text/plain; charset=utf-8")
+    page = await render_template("errors/restoring.html", state=STATE)
+    return Response(page, status=503, headers=headers)
diff --git a/steward/cli.py b/steward/cli.py
index bfc098a..6ed361f 100644
--- a/steward/cli.py
+++ b/steward/cli.py
@@ -58,6 +58,11 @@ def main(ctx: click.Context, config: str, host: str, port: int, debug: bool) ->
         app.run(host=host, port=port, debug=True)
         return
     asyncio.run(_serve(app, hypercorn_config(host, port)))
+    from .backup.restoring import RESTART_EXIT_CODE, STATE as restoring
+    if restoring.restart_requested:
+        # A restore finished: exit as failed so every supervisor starts
+        # Steward again (systemd's Restart=on-failure ignores a clean exit).
+        raise SystemExit(RESTART_EXIT_CODE)
 
 
 @main.command("backup")
diff --git a/steward/core/scheduler.py b/steward/core/scheduler.py
index 9379304..5245258 100644
--- a/steward/core/scheduler.py
+++ b/steward/core/scheduler.py
@@ -60,8 +60,10 @@ class _DueTracker:
         self.in_flight.discard(name)
 
 
-async def start_scheduler(tasks: list[ScheduledTask]) -> None:
-    """Run scheduled tasks in a loop. Call with asyncio.create_task()."""
+async def start_scheduler(tasks: list[ScheduledTask], paused=None) -> None:
+    """Run scheduled tasks in a loop. Call with asyncio.create_task().
+    `paused`, when given, is asked each tick: while it says so nothing new
+    starts (a restore is under way, steward/backup/restoring.py)."""
     tracker = _DueTracker()
 
     def _spawn(task: ScheduledTask, now: float) -> None:
@@ -77,8 +79,9 @@ async def start_scheduler(tasks: list[ScheduledTask]) -> None:
 
     while True:
         now = asyncio.get_event_loop().time()
-        for task in tracker.due(tasks, now):
-            _spawn(task, now)
+        if paused is None or not paused():
+            for task in tracker.due(tasks, now):
+                _spawn(task, now)
         await asyncio.sleep(1)
 
 
diff --git a/steward/settings/routes.py b/steward/settings/routes.py
index c029f4d..af51bfb 100644
--- a/steward/settings/routes.py
+++ b/steward/settings/routes.py
@@ -695,7 +695,7 @@ async def send_report_now():
 async def _backups_page(flash=None):
     """Settings → Backups (#5673): how the newest backup went, the bucket and
     the daily hour (in the reader's zone), and the runs before."""
-    from steward.backup import job
+    from steward.backup import job, restoring
     from steward.core.formatting import zone
     async with current_app.db_sessionmaker() as db:
         settings = await get_all_settings(db)
@@ -705,7 +705,8 @@ async def _backups_page(flash=None):
         "settings/backups.html", settings=settings, flash=flash, shown_hour=hour,
         verdict=job.verdict(settings, job.is_running()),
         history=job.history_rows(settings.get("backup.history")),
-        has_secret=bool(settings.get("backup.s3_secret_key")))
+        has_secret=bool(settings.get("backup.s3_secret_key")),
+        restore_failed=restoring.STATE if restoring.STATE.error else None)
 
 
 @settings_bp.get("/backups/")
@@ -824,6 +825,108 @@ async def check_uploaded_backup():
     return await _check_page(report=report, name=name)
 
 
+
+# Restore (#5817): choose a backup, see what it would change (the same check as
+# above), then type to confirm. The chosen file is held server-side between
+# the two (restoring.stage), so the confirmation names it by a token.
+
+RESTORE_WORD = "restore"
+
+
+async def _restore_page(report=None, error: str = "", name: str = "", held=None):
+    return await render_template("settings/backup_restore.html", report=report, error=error,
+                                 name=name, held=held, word=RESTORE_WORD)
+
+
+async def _hold_and_check(held, name: str):
+    from steward.backup import job
+    from steward.backup.dump import BackupError
+    try:
+        report = await job.check_file(current_app._get_current_object(), held.path, name)
+    except BackupError as exc:
+        import shutil
+        shutil.rmtree(held.dir, ignore_errors=True)
+        return await _restore_page(error=str(exc), name=name)
+    held.name, held.schema, held.ok = name, report.schema, report.ok
+    held.save()
+    return await _restore_page(report=report, name=name, held=held)
+
+
+@settings_bp.post("/backups/restore/")
+@require_role(UserRole.admin)
+async def restore_stored_backup():
+    """Fetch one of the bucket's backups, check it, and ask to confirm."""
+    import shutil
+
+    from steward.backup import job, restoring
+    from steward.backup.dump import BackupError
+    from steward.backup.s3 import S3Error, get_file
+    name = (await request.form).get("name", "")
+    if not job.is_backup_name(name):
+        return await _restore_page(error=f"{name!r} isn't the name of a Steward backup.", name=name)
+    async with current_app.db_sessionmaker() as db:
+        target = job.target_from(await get_all_settings(db))
+    if target is None:
+        return await _restore_page(error="The bucket isn't set up: fill in the endpoint, bucket and keys.",
+                                   name=name)
+    held = restoring.stage()
+    try:
+        await get_file(target, name, held.path)
+    except (BackupError, S3Error) as exc:
+        shutil.rmtree(held.dir, ignore_errors=True)
+        error = str(exc)
+        if "AccessDenied" in error:
+            error += (" The bucket's key may not read backups back; download the file from the "
+                      "bucket and restore it with Restore a file instead.")
+        return await _restore_page(error=error, name=name)
+    return await _hold_and_check(held, name)
+
+
+@settings_bp.post("/backups/restore/file/")
+@require_role(UserRole.admin)
+async def restore_uploaded_backup():
+    """A backup file sent from the browser, checked and held for the
+    confirmation. Its size limit is raised in auth/csrf.py UPLOAD_LIMITS."""
+    from steward.backup import restoring
+    upload = (await request.files).get("file")
+    if upload is None or not upload.filename:
+        return await _restore_page(error="Choose a backup file to restore.")
+    held = restoring.stage()
+    await upload.save(held.path)
+    return await _hold_and_check(held, Path(upload.filename).name)
+
+
+@settings_bp.post("/backups/restore/start/")
+@require_role(UserRole.admin)
+async def start_restore():
+    """The confirmation: the held backup goes back in (restoring.py). Every
+    page shows the restore until Steward restarts."""
+    import shutil
+
+    from steward.backup import job, restoring
+    form = await request.form
+    held = restoring.staged(form.get("token", ""))
+    if held is None:
+        return await _restore_page(error="That backup is no longer held (it is removed an hour after "
+                                         "it was checked). Choose it again.")
+    if held.schema == "newer" or not held.ok:
+        shutil.rmtree(held.dir, ignore_errors=True)
+        return await _restore_page(error="This backup can't be restored here; check it again to see why.",
+                                   name=held.name)
+    replace_all = held.schema == "older"
+    if form.get("confirm", "").strip().lower() != RESTORE_WORD or (
+            replace_all and "replace_all" not in form):
+        report = await job.check_file(current_app._get_current_object(), held.path, held.name)
+        return await _restore_page(report=report, name=held.name, held=held,
+                                   error=f"Type {RESTORE_WORD} to confirm"
+                                         + (", and tick Replace everything." if replace_all else "."))
+    started = restoring.start_restore(current_app._get_current_object(), held.path, held.name,
+                                      username=session.get("username", "") or "an admin",
+                                      replace_all=replace_all, owned_dir=held.dir)
+    if not started:
+        return await _restore_page(error="A restore is already under way.", name=held.name)
+    return redirect(url_for("settings.backups"))
+
 def _build_plugin_cfg_from_form(plugin: dict, form) -> dict:
     """Extract config values for one plugin from a form submission."""
     name = plugin["_dir"]
diff --git a/steward/templates/errors/restoring.html b/steward/templates/errors/restoring.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12e6b4d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/steward/templates/errors/restoring.html
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+{# errors/restoring.html — every page while a backup is being restored (#5816):
+   what is going back in, by whom, the step it is on. It reloads itself, so
+   the sign-in page appears once Steward is back. #}
+{% extends "base.html" %}
+{% block title %}Restoring a backup — Steward{% endblock %}
+{% block head %}<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="5">{% endblock %}
+{% block content %}
+<div style="text-align:center; padding: 4rem 2rem;">
+  <h1 class="tone-warn" style="font-size: 1.6rem; margin-bottom: 0.75rem;">Steward is restoring a backup</h1>
+  <p style="margin-bottom: 0.5rem;">{{ state.name }}{% if state.by %}, started by {{ state.by }}{% endif %}
+    {%- if state.since %} {{ state.since|ago }}{% endif %}.</p>
+  <p class="tone-dim" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;">{{ state.step }}…</p>
+  <p class="field-hint" style="max-width: 34rem; margin: 0 auto;">
+    Nothing else reads or writes Steward's records until it is done. Agents keep their readings
+    and send them when Steward is back. This page reloads by itself.
+  </p>
+</div>
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/steward/templates/settings/_backup_report.html b/steward/templates/settings/_backup_report.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..395456d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/steward/templates/settings/_backup_report.html
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+{# settings/_backup_report.html — what a check found (#5823), shown on the check
+   page and on the restore confirm page (#5817): the verdict, what the backup
+   is, each area's count, then each difference. Needs `report`. #}
+{% set tone = "tone-crit" if not report.ok else ("tone-ok" if not report.changes else "tone-warn") %}
+<p class="page-verdict"><span class="{{ tone }}">{{ report.summary() }}</span></p>
+
+<div class="card" style="max-width:640px;margin-bottom:1.25rem;">
+  <dl class="kv">
+    <dt>File</dt><dd>{{ report.name }}</dd>
+    <dt>Made</dt><dd>{% if report.made_at %}{{ report.made_at|when }}{% else %}—{% endif %}
+      by Steward {{ report.manifest.steward_version or "—" }}</dd>
+    <dt>Schema</dt><dd>
+      {%- if report.schema == "same" %}The same as this Steward's.
+      {%- elif report.schema == "older" %}<span class="tone-warn">Older than this Steward's.</span> A restore would replace everything, and Steward would bring it up to date on start.
+      {%- else %}<span class="tone-crit">Newer than this Steward's.</span> This Steward can't restore it; update Steward first.{% endif %}</dd>
+    <dt>Secret key</dt><dd>
+      {%- if report.key_same %}The one in use here.{% else %}<span class="tone-warn">A different one.</span> A restore would put it in place, and passwords and keys stored since would need entering again.{% endif %}
+      {%- if report.sealed %} It opens {{ report.sealed - report.unopened }} of the backup's {{ report.sealed }} sealed value{{ "s" if report.sealed != 1 }}.{% endif %}</dd>
+  </dl>
+</div>
+
+<div class="card-flush" style="margin-bottom:1.25rem;">
+  <table class="table">
+    <thead><tr><th>Area</th><th>Same</th><th>Differ</th><th>Only in the backup</th><th>Only here</th></tr></thead>
+    <tbody>
+      {% for a in report.areas %}
+      {% set differ = a.tables|sum(attribute="differ", start=[])|length %}
+      {% set only_b = a.tables|sum(attribute="only_backup", start=[])|length %}
+      {% set only_h = a.tables|sum(attribute="only_here", start=[])|length %}
+      <tr>
+        <td>{{ a.name }}</td>
+        <td>{{ a.same }}</td>
+        <td>{% if differ %}<span class="tone-warn">{{ differ }}</span>{% else %}—{% endif %}</td>
+        <td>{% if only_b %}<span class="tone-warn">{{ only_b }}</span>{% else %}—{% endif %}</td>
+        <td>{% if only_h %}<span class="tone-warn">{{ only_h }}</span>{% else %}—{% endif %}</td>
+      </tr>
+      {% endfor %}
+    </tbody>
+  </table>
+</div>
+
+{% for a in report.areas if a.changes or a.tables|selectattr("note")|list %}
+<h2 class="section-title" style="margin:1.5rem 0 0.75rem;">{{ a.name }}</h2>
+<ul class="check-list">
+  {% for t in a.tables %}
+  {% for d in t.differ %}
+  <li><strong>{{ d.label }}</strong> differs
+    {%- if d.secret %} (a sealed value; not shown).
+    {%- elif d.backup_value is not none or d.here_value is not none %}: the backup has <code>{{ d.backup_value if d.backup_value is not none else "nothing" }}</code>, here it is <code>{{ d.here_value if d.here_value is not none else "nothing" }}</code>.
+    {%- else %} in {{ d.columns|join(", ") }}.{% endif %}</li>
+  {% endfor %}
+  {% for label in t.only_backup %}<li><strong>{{ label }}</strong> is only in the backup: a restore brings it back.</li>{% endfor %}
+  {% for label in t.only_here %}<li><strong>{{ label }}</strong> is only here: a restore removes it.</li>{% endfor %}
+  {% if t.note %}<li class="tone-dim">{{ t.table }}: {{ t.note }}</li>{% endif %}
+  {% endfor %}
+</ul>
+{% endfor %}
+
+<p class="field-hint" style="margin-top:1rem;">Left out of the comparison: what Steward records as it runs
+  (when an agent or monitor was last seen, a schedule's last run, the backup history), since it changes by the
+  minute. A restore still brings those back as they were in the backup.</p>
diff --git a/steward/templates/settings/backup_check.html b/steward/templates/settings/backup_check.html
index f4ef323..64be378 100644
--- a/steward/templates/settings/backup_check.html
+++ b/steward/templates/settings/backup_check.html
@@ -11,64 +11,7 @@
 {% if error %}
 <p class="page-verdict"><span class="tone-crit">{{ name or "The backup" }} couldn't be checked. {{ error }}</span></p>
 {% else %}
-{% set tone = "tone-crit" if not report.ok else ("tone-ok" if not report.changes else "tone-warn") %}
-<p class="page-verdict"><span class="{{ tone }}">{{ report.summary() }}</span></p>
-
-<div class="card" style="max-width:640px;margin-bottom:1.25rem;">
-  <dl class="kv">
-    <dt>File</dt><dd>{{ report.name }}</dd>
-    <dt>Made</dt><dd>{% if report.made_at %}{{ report.made_at|when }}{% else %}—{% endif %}
-      by Steward {{ report.manifest.steward_version or "—" }}</dd>
-    <dt>Schema</dt><dd>
-      {%- if report.schema == "same" %}The same as this Steward's.
-      {%- elif report.schema == "older" %}<span class="tone-warn">Older than this Steward's.</span> A restore would replace everything, and Steward would bring it up to date on start.
-      {%- else %}<span class="tone-crit">Newer than this Steward's.</span> This Steward can't restore it; update Steward first.{% endif %}</dd>
-    <dt>Secret key</dt><dd>
-      {%- if report.key_same %}The one in use here.{% else %}<span class="tone-warn">A different one.</span> A restore would put it in place, and passwords and keys stored since would need entering again.{% endif %}
-      {%- if report.sealed %} It opens {{ report.sealed - report.unopened }} of the backup's {{ report.sealed }} sealed value{{ "s" if report.sealed != 1 }}.{% endif %}</dd>
-  </dl>
-</div>
-
-<div class="card-flush" style="margin-bottom:1.25rem;">
-  <table class="table">
-    <thead><tr><th>Area</th><th>Same</th><th>Differ</th><th>Only in the backup</th><th>Only here</th></tr></thead>
-    <tbody>
-      {% for a in report.areas %}
-      {% set differ = a.tables|sum(attribute="differ", start=[])|length %}
-      {% set only_b = a.tables|sum(attribute="only_backup", start=[])|length %}
-      {% set only_h = a.tables|sum(attribute="only_here", start=[])|length %}
-      <tr>
-        <td>{{ a.name }}</td>
-        <td>{{ a.same }}</td>
-        <td>{% if differ %}<span class="tone-warn">{{ differ }}</span>{% else %}—{% endif %}</td>
-        <td>{% if only_b %}<span class="tone-warn">{{ only_b }}</span>{% else %}—{% endif %}</td>
-        <td>{% if only_h %}<span class="tone-warn">{{ only_h }}</span>{% else %}—{% endif %}</td>
-      </tr>
-      {% endfor %}
-    </tbody>
-  </table>
-</div>
-
-{% for a in report.areas if a.changes or a.tables|selectattr("note")|list %}
-<h2 class="section-title" style="margin:1.5rem 0 0.75rem;">{{ a.name }}</h2>
-<ul class="check-list">
-  {% for t in a.tables %}
-  {% for d in t.differ %}
-  <li><strong>{{ d.label }}</strong> differs
-    {%- if d.secret %} (a sealed value; not shown).
-    {%- elif d.backup_value is not none or d.here_value is not none %}: the backup has <code>{{ d.backup_value if d.backup_value is not none else "nothing" }}</code>, here it is <code>{{ d.here_value if d.here_value is not none else "nothing" }}</code>.
-    {%- else %} in {{ d.columns|join(", ") }}.{% endif %}</li>
-  {% endfor %}
-  {% for label in t.only_backup %}<li><strong>{{ label }}</strong> is only in the backup: a restore brings it back.</li>{% endfor %}
-  {% for label in t.only_here %}<li><strong>{{ label }}</strong> is only here: a restore removes it.</li>{% endfor %}
-  {% if t.note %}<li class="tone-dim">{{ t.table }}: {{ t.note }}</li>{% endif %}
-  {% endfor %}
-</ul>
-{% endfor %}
-
-<p class="field-hint" style="margin-top:1rem;">Left out of the comparison: what Steward records as it runs
-  (when an agent or monitor was last seen, a schedule's last run, the backup history), since it changes by the
-  minute. A restore still brings those back as they were in the backup.</p>
+{% include "settings/_backup_report.html" %}
 {% endif %}
 <p style="margin-top:1rem;"><a href="/settings/backups/">Back to Backups</a></p>
 {% endblock %}
diff --git a/steward/templates/settings/backup_restore.html b/steward/templates/settings/backup_restore.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69f27ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/steward/templates/settings/backup_restore.html
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+{# settings/backup_restore.html — restoring a backup, before anything changes
+   (#5817): what it would bring back (the same check as Check, #5823), what a
+   restore does, then a typed confirmation. A backup that can't go in says
+   why and offers no button. #}
+{% extends "base.html" %}
+{% from "_macros.html" import crumbs %}
+{% from "settings/_tabs.html" import settings_tabs %}
+{% block title %}Settings — Backups — Restore — Steward{% endblock %}
+{% block section_tabs %}{{ settings_tabs("backups") }}{% endblock %}
+{% block breadcrumb %}{{ crumbs([("Settings", "/settings/"), ("Backups", "/settings/backups/"), ("Restore " ~ (name or "a backup"), "")]) }}{% endblock %}
+{% block content %}
+{% if not report %}
+<p class="page-verdict"><span class="tone-crit">{{ name or "The backup" }} can't be restored. {{ error }}</span></p>
+{% else %}
+{% include "settings/_backup_report.html" %}
+
+<div class="card" style="max-width:640px;margin-top:1.25rem;">
+  <h2 class="section-title" style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;">Restore {{ name }}</h2>
+  {% if report.schema == "newer" %}
+  <p class="tone-crit">This Steward is older than the one that made the backup. Update Steward, then restore it.</p>
+  {% elif not report.ok %}
+  <p class="tone-crit">Its key doesn't open all of its secrets, so passwords and keys wouldn't come back. Restore a
+    different backup.</p>
+  {% else %}
+  <ul class="field-hint" style="margin:0 0 1rem 1.1rem;line-height:1.6;">
+    <li>A safety backup of Steward as it stands is made first, on <code>/data/backups</code> and the bucket, so
+      this can be undone the same way.</li>
+    {% if report.schema == "same" %}
+    <li>Settings, users, hosts, monitors, rules and dashboards become the backup's. The audit log and the history
+      of what is still here stay; history of anything the backup doesn't have goes with it.</li>
+    <li>If anything goes wrong part-way, nothing changes.</li>
+    {% else %}
+    <li><span class="tone-warn">The backup is from an older Steward, so it replaces everything</span>: the audit
+      log, alert history, metrics and check results go too, and Steward brings the backup up to date as it
+      starts. If this fails part-way, Steward starts empty, at first-run setup, where the safety backup can be
+      uploaded.</li>
+    {% endif %}
+    <li>While it runs, pages say Steward is restoring and agents hold their readings. Steward then restarts, and
+      you sign in again as a user from the backup.</li>
+  </ul>
+  {% if error %}<p class="tone-crit" style="margin-bottom:0.75rem;">{{ error }}</p>{% endif %}
+  <form method="post" action="/settings/backups/restore/start/">{{ csrf_field() }}
+    <input type="hidden" name="token" value="{{ held.token }}">
+    {% if report.schema == "older" %}
+    <label style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:0.4rem;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.75rem;">
+      <input type="checkbox" name="replace_all"> Replace everything, history included</label>
+    {% endif %}
+    <div class="form-group" style="max-width:260px;">
+      <label for="r-confirm">Type <code>{{ word }}</code> to confirm</label>
+      <input type="text" id="r-confirm" name="confirm" autocomplete="off" required>
+    </div>
+    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-danger">Restore</button>
+  </form>
+  {% endif %}
+</div>
+{% endif %}
+<p style="margin-top:1rem;"><a href="/settings/backups/">Back to Backups</a></p>
+{% endblock %}
diff --git a/steward/templates/settings/backups.html b/steward/templates/settings/backups.html
index bdb9fe1..1612cde 100644
--- a/steward/templates/settings/backups.html
+++ b/steward/templates/settings/backups.html
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {# settings/backups.html — Steward's own backups (#5673): a verdict, the bucket
    they go to (Fabled Archives over S3) and the daily hour, then the recent
-   runs, each with its own check and a Check button (#5823), and a file to
-   check. Restoring is `steward restore`; see docs/core/backups.md. #}
+   runs, each with its own check and Check and Restore buttons (#5823, #5817),
+   and a file to check or restore. #}
 {% extends "base.html" %}
 {% from "_macros.html" import crumbs %}
 {% from "settings/_tabs.html" import settings_tabs %}
@@ -16,6 +16,12 @@
     {% if verdict.good %}The newest good backup was sent {{ verdict.good|ago }}.{% else %}No backup has been sent yet.{% endif %}
   {%- endif %}</span></p>
 
+{% if restore_failed %}
+<p class="tone-crit" style="margin:-0.5rem 0 1.25rem;">The restore of {{ restore_failed.name }}
+  {%- if restore_failed.since %} {{ restore_failed.since|ago }}{% endif %} failed, and nothing changed:
+  {{ restore_failed.error }}</p>
+{% endif %}
+
 {% if flash %}
 <div style="padding:0.75rem 1rem;border-radius:6px;margin-bottom:1.25rem;
             background:{% if flash.ok %}var(--green-dim){% else %}var(--red-dim){% endif %};
@@ -130,11 +136,15 @@
         <td class="nowrap">{{ r.size|bytes if r.ok else "—" }}</td>
         <td class="nowrap">{{ r.secs|duration }}</td>
         <td>{{ "the schedule" if r.by == "schedule" else r.by }}</td>
-        <td>{% if r.ok and r.name %}
+        <td>{% if r.ok and r.name %}<div style="display:flex;gap:0.35rem;">
           <form method="post" action="/settings/backups/check/">{{ csrf_field() }}
             <input type="hidden" name="name" value="{{ r.name }}">
             <button type="submit" class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm" title="Compare {{ r.name }} with what is in place; nothing changes">Check</button>
-          </form>{% endif %}</td>
+          </form>
+          <form method="post" action="/settings/backups/restore/">{{ csrf_field() }}
+            <input type="hidden" name="name" value="{{ r.name }}">
+            <button type="submit" class="btn btn-ghost btn-sm" title="See what restoring {{ r.name }} would change, then confirm">Restore</button>
+          </form></div>{% endif %}</td>
       </tr>
       {% endfor %}
     </tbody>
@@ -144,15 +154,16 @@
 <p class="tone-dim">None yet.</p>
 {% endif %}
 <p class="field-hint" style="margin-top:0.75rem;">Check compares a backup with what is in place: what
-  a restore would bring back, change or remove, area by area. It changes nothing. To bring Steward back
-  from one, see <code>steward restore</code> in the backups guide (docs/core/backups.md).</p>
+  a restore would bring back, change or remove, area by area. It changes nothing. Restore shows the same
+  comparison and asks you to confirm before anything changes.</p>
 
 <div class="card" style="max-width:640px;margin-top:1.25rem;">
-  <h2 class="section-title" style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;">Check a file</h2>
+  <h2 class="section-title" style="margin-bottom:0.5rem;">Check or restore a file</h2>
   <form method="post" action="/settings/backups/check/file/" enctype="multipart/form-data"
         style="display:flex;gap:0.75rem;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;">{{ csrf_field() }}
     <input type="file" name="file" accept=".tar" required>
     <button type="submit" class="btn btn-ghost">Check</button>
+    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-ghost" formaction="/settings/backups/restore/file/">Restore</button>
   </form>
   <p class="field-hint" style="margin-top:0.5rem;">A <code>steward-&lt;time&gt;.tar</code> downloaded from
     the bucket, or made with <code>steward backup</code>.</p>
diff --git a/tests/core/test_restoring.py b/tests/core/test_restoring.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..862cf90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/core/test_restoring.py
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+"""Restoring mode (steward/backup/restoring.py, #5816): while a backup goes back
+in, pages say so and agents are told to retry; the scheduler holds; a restore
+saves a safety backup first, puts the backup's key in place, audits itself
+and asks for a restart; a failed one says why and changes nothing."""
+import asyncio
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+import pytest
+
+from steward.backup import restoring
+from steward.backup.dump import BackupError
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+def fresh_state(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "STATE", restoring.Restoring())
+
+
+async def test_while_restoring_pages_say_so_and_agents_are_told_to_retry(client):
+    restoring.STATE.active, restoring.STATE.name = True, "steward-20261015T030000Z.tar"
+    restoring.STATE.by, restoring.STATE.step = "admin", "Restoring"
+    page = await client.get("/", headers={"Accept": "text/html"})
+    assert page.status_code == 503 and page.headers["Retry-After"] == "30"
+    body = await page.get_data(as_text=True)
+    assert "Steward is restoring a backup" in body and "steward-20261015T030000Z.tar" in body
+    assert 'http-equiv="refresh"' in body
+
+    ingest = await client.post("/plugins/host_agent/ingest", json={})
+    assert ingest.status_code == 503 and ingest.headers["Retry-After"] == "30"
+    assert "restoring a backup" in await ingest.get_data(as_text=True)
+
+
+async def test_when_not_restoring_the_gate_stays_out_of_the_way(app):
+    async with app.test_request_context("/", headers={"Accept": "text/html"}):
+        assert await restoring.gate() is None
+
+
+async def test_the_scheduler_holds_while_paused():
+    from steward.core.scheduler import ScheduledTask, start_scheduler
+    ran = []
+    paused = {"now": True}
+
+    async def tick():
+        ran.append(1)
+
+    task = asyncio.create_task(start_scheduler(
+        [ScheduledTask("t", tick, interval_seconds=0, run_on_startup=False)],
+        paused=lambda: paused["now"]))
+    await asyncio.sleep(1.5)
+    held = len(ran)
+    paused["now"] = False
+    await asyncio.sleep(1.5)
+    task.cancel()
+    assert held == 0 and ran
+
+
+def _app():
+    return SimpleNamespace(config={"DATABASE_URL": "postgresql+asyncpg://x/y", "SECRET_KEY": "k-here",
+                                   "PLUGIN_DIRS": ["plugins"]})
+
+
+def _stub(monkeypatch, tmp_path, *, restore_error=None, key="k-backup"):
+    from steward import config
+    from steward.backup import restore
+    from steward.core import audit
+    seen = {"audits": [], "restarts": 0}
+
+    async def safety(app):
+        seen["safety"] = True
+        return "steward-20261015T140000Z.tar"
+
+    async def in_place(path, url, plugin_dirs=None):
+        if restore_error:
+            raise BackupError(restore_error)
+        return restore.RestoredInPlace({}, key, ["app_settings", "hosts"], 12, 1)
+
+    async def log_audit(app, user_id, username, action, **kw):
+        seen["audits"].append((action, kw.get("detail")))
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "_backup_key", lambda path: key)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "_safety_backup", safety)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restore, "restore_in_place", in_place)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(audit, "log_audit", log_audit)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "_restart_soon", lambda: seen.__setitem__("restarts", seen["restarts"] + 1))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(config, "_SECRET_KEY_FILE", tmp_path / "secret.key")
+    monkeypatch.delenv("STEWARD_SECRET_KEY", raising=False)
+    return seen
+
+
+async def _restore(tmp_path):
+    assert restoring.start_restore(_app(), tmp_path / "b.tar", "steward-20261015T030000Z.tar",
+                                   username="admin")
+    await asyncio.gather(*list(restoring._tasks))
+    await asyncio.gather(*list(restoring._tasks))      # the failure audit, when there is one
+
+
+async def test_a_restore_saves_a_safety_backup_puts_the_key_in_place_and_restarts(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    seen = _stub(monkeypatch, tmp_path)
+    await _restore(tmp_path)
+    assert seen["safety"] and seen["restarts"] == 1
+    assert (tmp_path / "secret.key").read_text() == "k-backup"
+    [(action, detail)] = seen["audits"]
+    assert action == "backup.restored"
+    assert detail == {"mode": "in place", "tables": 2, "rows": 12, "put_right": 1,
+                      "safety_backup": "steward-20261015T140000Z.tar"}
+    assert restoring.STATE.step.startswith("Restored")
+
+
+async def test_a_failed_restore_says_why_and_steward_carries_on(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    seen = _stub(monkeypatch, tmp_path, restore_error="The restore was undone, nothing changed: x")
+    await _restore(tmp_path)
+    assert not restoring.STATE.active and "undone" in restoring.STATE.error
+    assert seen["restarts"] == 0 and not (tmp_path / "secret.key").exists()
+    assert [a for a, _ in seen["audits"]] == ["backup.restore_failed"]
+
+
+async def test_a_pinned_key_that_differs_stops_it_before_anything_is_saved(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    seen = _stub(monkeypatch, tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("STEWARD_SECRET_KEY", "k-pinned")
+    await _restore(tmp_path)
+    assert "STEWARD_SECRET_KEY" in restoring.STATE.error and "safety" not in seen
+
+
+async def test_one_restore_at_a_time(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    _stub(monkeypatch, tmp_path)
+    restoring.STATE.active = True
+    assert not restoring.start_restore(_app(), tmp_path / "b.tar", "x", username="admin")
+
+
+def test_a_chosen_backup_is_held_by_token_until_it_is_too_old(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    import os
+    import time
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "SAFETY_DIR", tmp_path)
+    held = restoring.stage()
+    held.path.write_bytes(b"x")
+    held.name, held.schema, held.ok = "steward-20261015T030000Z.tar", "same", True
+    held.save()
+    again = restoring.staged(held.token)
+    assert (again.name, again.schema, again.ok, again.path) == (held.name, "same", True, held.path)
+    assert restoring.staged("../../etc") is None and restoring.staged("0" * 32) is None
+
+    old = time.time() - restoring.STAGED_SECONDS - 1
+    os.utime(held.dir, (old, old))
+    restoring.stage()
+    assert restoring.staged(held.token) is None
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_backup_restore_routes.py b/tests/integration/test_backup_restore_routes.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..32fe51e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/integration/test_backup_restore_routes.py
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+"""Integration: Restore on Settings → Backups (#5817). A chosen backup is
+checked and held; nothing starts until the person types the word, an older
+backup also needs Replace everything ticked, a newer one has no button, and
+only an admin gets this far. The restore itself is restoring.py's (stubbed
+here; tests/core/test_restoring.py covers it)."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import asyncio
+import io
+import os
+import time
+import uuid
+
+import pytest
+
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.integration
+
+CSRF = {"X-CSRF-Token": "test-token"}
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def app():
+    if not os.environ.get("STEWARD_DATABASE_URL"):
+        pytest.skip("needs Postgres")
+    from steward.app import create_app
+    return create_app(testing=False)
+
+
+async def _client(app, role):
+    from steward.models.users import User, UserRole
+    uid, tag = str(uuid.uuid4()), uuid.uuid4().hex[:8]
+    async with app.db_sessionmaker() as s:
+        async with s.begin():
+            s.add(User(id=uid, username=f"rs-{tag}", email=f"rs-{tag}@test",
+                       password_hash="x", role=UserRole(role), is_active=True))
+    client = app.test_client()
+    async with client.session_transaction() as sess:
+        sess.update(user_id=uid, user_role=role, username=f"rs-{tag}",
+                    _csrf="test-token", login_at=time.time())
+    return client
+
+
+def _report(schema="same", unopened=0):
+    from steward.backup.check import AreaCheck, CheckReport, TableCheck
+    return CheckReport(name="steward-20261015T030000Z.tar",
+                       manifest={"created_at": "2026-10-15T03:00:00+00:00"}, schema=schema,
+                       backup_heads=["a"], here_heads=["a"], key_same=True, sealed=1,
+                       unopened=unopened,
+                       areas=[AreaCheck("Settings", [TableCheck("app_settings", same=4)])])
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+def stubs(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    from steward.backup import job, restoring
+    seen = {"started": [], "schema": "same", "unopened": 0}
+
+    async def check_file(app, path, name=""):
+        seen["checked"] = path.read_bytes()
+        return _report(seen["schema"], seen["unopened"])
+
+    def start_restore(app, path, name, *, username, replace_all=False, owned_dir=None):
+        seen["started"].append({"path": path, "name": name, "replace_all": replace_all,
+                                "owned_dir": owned_dir})
+        return True
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "SAFETY_DIR", tmp_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(job, "check_file", check_file)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "start_restore", start_restore)
+    return seen
+
+
+async def _upload(client, name="steward-20261015T030000Z.tar"):
+    from quart.datastructures import FileStorage
+    return await client.post("/settings/backups/restore/file/", headers=CSRF, files={
+        "file": FileStorage(io.BytesIO(b"a backup"), filename=name)})
+
+
+def _token(page: str) -> str:
+    import re
+    return re.search(r'name="token" value="([0-9a-f]{32})"', page).group(1)
+
+
+def test_nothing_starts_until_the_word_is_typed(app, stubs):
+    async def _go():
+        admin = await _client(app, "admin")
+        page = await (await _upload(admin)).get_data(as_text=True)
+        assert stubs["checked"] == b"a backup"
+        assert "Matches what is in place" in page and "Type <code>restore</code> to confirm" in page
+        token = _token(page)
+
+        wrong = await admin.post("/settings/backups/restore/start/", headers=CSRF,
+                                 form={"token": token, "confirm": "yes"})
+        assert wrong.status_code == 200 and not stubs["started"]
+        assert "Type restore to confirm." in await wrong.get_data(as_text=True)
+
+        go = await admin.post("/settings/backups/restore/start/", headers=CSRF,
+                              form={"token": token, "confirm": " Restore "})
+        assert go.status_code == 302 and go.headers["Location"].endswith("/settings/backups/")
+        [started] = stubs["started"]
+        assert started["name"] == "steward-20261015T030000Z.tar" and not started["replace_all"]
+        assert started["path"].read_bytes() == b"a backup" and started["owned_dir"].name == token
+
+        gone = await admin.post("/settings/backups/restore/start/", headers=CSRF,
+                                form={"token": "0" * 32, "confirm": "restore"})
+        assert "no longer held" in await gone.get_data(as_text=True)
+    asyncio.run(_go())
+
+
+def test_an_older_backup_also_needs_replace_everything(app, stubs):
+    stubs["schema"] = "older"
+
+    async def _go():
+        admin = await _client(app, "admin")
+        page = await (await _upload(admin)).get_data(as_text=True)
+        assert 'name="replace_all"' in page and "replaces everything" in page
+        token = _token(page)
+        await admin.post("/settings/backups/restore/start/", headers=CSRF,
+                         form={"token": token, "confirm": "restore"})
+        assert not stubs["started"]
+        await admin.post("/settings/backups/restore/start/", headers=CSRF,
+                         form={"token": token, "confirm": "restore", "replace_all": "on"})
+        assert [s["replace_all"] for s in stubs["started"]] == [True]
+    asyncio.run(_go())
+
+
+def test_a_backup_that_cant_go_in_has_no_button(app, stubs):
+    async def _go():
+        admin = await _client(app, "admin")
+        stubs["schema"] = "newer"
+        newer = await (await _upload(admin)).get_data(as_text=True)
+        stubs["schema"], stubs["unopened"] = "same", 1
+        unopened = await (await _upload(admin)).get_data(as_text=True)
+        return newer, unopened
+    newer, unopened = asyncio.run(_go())
+    assert "Update Steward, then restore it." in newer and 'name="token"' not in newer
+    assert "wouldn&#39;t come back" in unopened and 'name="token"' not in unopened
+
+
+def test_only_an_admin_restores(app, stubs):
+    async def _go():
+        operator = await _client(app, "operator")
+        return (await _upload(operator)).status_code, (await operator.post(
+            "/settings/backups/restore/", headers=CSRF, form={"name": "steward-20261015T030000Z.tar"})
+        ).status_code
+    assert asyncio.run(_go()) == (403, 403)
+    assert not stubs["started"]
+
+
+def test_the_backups_page_offers_restore_and_says_when_one_failed(app, stubs, monkeypatch):
+    from steward.backup import restoring
+    monkeypatch.setattr(restoring, "STATE", restoring.Restoring(
+        name="steward-20261014T030000Z.tar", error="The restore was undone, nothing changed: x"))
+
+    async def _go():
+        admin = await _client(app, "admin")
+        return await (await admin.get("/settings/backups/")).get_data(as_text=True)
+    page = asyncio.run(_go())
+    assert 'formaction="/settings/backups/restore/file/"' in page
+    assert "The restore of steward-20261014T030000Z.tar" in page and "nothing changed: x" in page