How often do differential backups occur with Azure SQL managed instance?

Differential backups for Azure SQL Managed Instance typically occur every 12 hours. This type of backup captures changes made to the database since the last full backup, allowing for a more efficient backup process compared to full backups, which include all data. The 12-hour interval for differential backups is designed to balance frequency and performance, ensuring that backup files remain manageable while also providing a means to restore data that accounts for changes within that time frame.

This regular backup schedule is part of Azure SQL Managed Instance's built-in disaster recovery and data protection features, ensuring that you have multiple restore points while minimizing the impact on performance during backup operations. The design also helps in maintaining a good recovery point objective (RPO) for the databases managed within the instance.