# Back up and restore your data

- Product: Clastly
- Category: Import and Export
- Type: How-to
- Updated: 2026-10-29
- URL: https://www.clastly.com/support/import-export/backup-restore/

Create a backup to save all collections and attachments together and restore them later.

## Create a backup

Clastly tries to download attachments that aren't on your device while creating a backup. Connect to the internet before you start.

1. Open :ui[Settings] at the bottom of the collection list.
2. Tap :ui[Back Up…] under :ui[Data].
3. Choose a destination and save the file with the `.clastlybackup` extension. :ui[Backup Saved] appears when saving finishes.

If Clastly couldn't retrieve attachments that aren't on your device, it also shows how many files were left out. If attachments are missing, see [Photos or files won't open or download](https://www.clastly.com/support/sync/file-not-downloading.md), retrieve them, and create the backup again.

## Restore from a backup

1. Open :ui[Data] in :ui[Settings] and tap :ui[Restore from Backup…].
2. Select your saved backup file. A :ui[Restore from Backup] confirmation appears.
3. If there are no duplicates, tap :ui[Restore].
4. If the backup contains collections you already have, choose :ui[Skip Existing] or :ui[Add as Copies].


Restoring keeps your existing data. Skipping doesn't update existing collections; adding as copies creates separate collections. When restoration finishes, :ui[Restore Complete] appears with the number of collections restored.

If you can't restore a backup in a newer format, update Clastly and try restoring again.