Recovering MySQL Data from a Deleted Docker Container

While testing MySQL gap locks, the author discovered a forgotten MySQL container on a server and, after removing it with docker rm -f , realized the database was still actively used by a project.

Step 1: Locate the volume of the deleted container

Navigate to Docker's volume directory and list the volumes:

cd /var/lib/docker/volumes/

ll

Since the database is MySQL, search for the mysql.ibd file to identify the relevant volume:

find . -name mysql.ibd

Three MySQL‑related volumes appear; by checking creation times and inspecting the directory contents, the correct volume is identified.

Step 2: Launch a new container with the same image

Start a new MySQL container using the same image version:

docker run -itd -p 3306:3306 -e MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD=xxxxxx mysql:8.0

Step 3: Replace the new container’s volume with the recovered one

Find the new container’s volume name:

docker inspect new_container_name

Stop the new container:

docker stop new_container_name

Replace its volume with the one found in Step 1:

# go to Docker volumes directory

cd /var/lib/docker/volumes/

# delete the new container’s volume

rm -rf new_container_volume_name

# copy the recovered volume to the new container

cp -r recovered_volume_name new_container_volume_name

Start the container again:

docker start new_container_name

At this point the MySQL data is restored and the service is back online.