Can We Delete a Sandbox?
Deleting a sandbox is a common requirement for many organizations, particularly those that no longer use or need them. This article will help you understand the process and the significance of deleting a sandbox, as well as provide additional information on managing sandboxes in Salesforce.
Deleting a Sandbox – What Do We Need to Know?
Before proceeding with the deletion process, it’s essential to consider the consequences of deleting a sandbox, as well as the alternative options available to you.
Consequences of Deleting a Sandbox
- A deleted sandbox is PERMANENT and CANNOT be restored.
- Data in a deleted sandbox is IRRETRIEVABLE, and you should MAINTAIN regular backups to avoid loss of valuable data.
- Deletion of a sandbox also erases Application and Configuration Changes, including all user actions, data uploads, and customizations.
- Make sure you are logged out of the sandbox before initiating the deletion process to ensure data integrity and security.
Alternative Options to Deletion
- Partial Copy Sandboxes: Use a partial copy sandbox for quality assurance tasks such as user acceptance testing, integration testing, and training.
- Refreshing a Sandbox: You can refresh a sandbox to roll back changes to a specific point in time.
- Backup and Restoration: Regular backups allow for easy restoration in case something goes wrong with your development environment.
Deleting a Sandbox – Steps and Instructions
To delete a sandbox, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Salesforce developer dashboard with your credentials.
- Click on Navigator, then Configuration, then Sandboxes.
- Identify the sandbox you want to delete.
- CONFIRM that the sandbox isn’t active (not pending refresh).
- DELETE the sandbox, and confirm when prompted that you want to proceed.
- Note: Refreshing a sandbox deletes any changes made, including Application and Configuration changes.
Important Considerations for Sandboxes
When creating sandboxes, Full sandboxes and Developer Pro Sandboxes differ in their capacities and characteristics.
| Full Sandbox | Developer Pro Sandbox |
|---|---|
| Performance-oriented, includes Performance Limits, supports Load and Stress testing | Limited runtime, developer-centric |
| Recommended for testing and staging high-volume transactional use cases, large volumes of data, and complex integrations | Suitable for testing small-scale applications and prototypes |
| Only included in Unlimited and Performance editions, can be purchased separately | Included with Unlimited and Developer editions |
| Supports Custom Development, includes API services for Integration Testing and Data Testing |