How to Copy AWS S3 Bucket Data to a Local Server

Introduction

In many real-world deployments, applications rely on cloud object storage like AWS S3 to store assets, backups, or media files. However, there are scenarios where you may need to move S3 data into a local server, to run applications independently, improve performance, or reconfigure services to work without external storage dependencies.
This blog explains a simple and reliable way to copy data from an AWS S3 bucket into a local server using the AWS CLI.

This step-by-step approach helps you Copy AWS S3 Bucket Data to Local Server efficiently while maintaining data integrity and control.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure the following:

• A running Local server with SSH access
  
• An existing AWS S3 bucket
  
• An IAM user with read access to the S3 bucket
  
• AWS Access Key and Secret Key

Step 1: Install AWS CLI on the Linode Server

First, install the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) on your Linode server.

For Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

#sudo apt update
#sudo apt install awscli

For CentOS/RHEL-based systems:

#sudo yum install awscli

Verify the installation:

#aws --version

Step 2: Configure AWS Credentials

Configure the AWS CLI with your IAM credentials:

#aws configure

Provide the following details when prompted:

• AWS Access Key ID
  
• AWS Secret Access Key
  
• Default region (example: us-east-1)
  
• Output format (json)
  

This allows the Linode server to securely communicate with AWS S3.

Step 3: Sync S3 Bucket Data to Linode

To copy all files from the S3 bucket to a local directory on the Linode server, use the sync command:

#aws s3 sync s3://your-bucket-name /path/on/linode/

Example:

#aws s3 sync s3://my-app-assets /var/www/app-assets/

This command:

• Downloads all files from the S3 bucket
  
• Preserves the directory structure
  
• Skips files that already exist locally

Step 4: Set Proper Permissions

After copying the files, update ownership and permissions based on your application or web server:

#chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/app-assets
#chmod -R 755 /var/www/app-assets

Adjust the user and group as required for your environment.

Conclusion

Copying data from an AWS S3 bucket to a Local server is a straightforward process when using the AWS CLI. This approach is efficient, secure, and well-suited for production environments. Once the data is available locally, you can easily reconfigure your application or web server to use the local filesystem instead of external object storage.
This setup is especially useful when migrating workloads, optimizing performance, or preparing for offline or independent server operations.
If you need expert assistance to Copy AWS S3 Bucket Data to Local Server securely and without downtime, Skynats is here to help. Our AWS Management Services and Cloud Support Services ensure seamless data transfers, optimized storage workflows, and complete operational support. Contact our cloud specialists today to simplify your AWS operations and get reliable, hands-on support tailored to your business needs.