Related FAQ

Restore a backup

Read how to change your phone or computer in anticipation of changing or losing your device.

You can restore your Olvid profiles backup to a new device, only when opening Olvid for the first time after a new installation of the app, when offered the choice to Restore a backup or Continue as a new user.

This is the only time the option to restore an Olvid backup is displayed. If you have already generated a new ID on the new device, the easiest and only way is to uninstall the app and reinstall it. Then, when you open Olvid for the first time, you will get the screen that allows you to restore the backup made on your old device.

Make sure that you always have the latest version of Olvid.

If you change OS (iOS <-> Android):
- Restore a manual backup because the automatic one will not work.
- Otherwise, enable automatic backup instead to sleep easy 😴.
Please, read the warnings about the backup.

How to start?

First, check the availability of your backup and its key on the original device.

Then open a fresh installation of Olvid and:

iOS

Tap Restore Backup.
Select from :
- From a file to restore a manual backup. The “Files” application allows you to select the file with the appropriate .olvidbackup extension.
- From the cloud to restore an automatic backup from iCloud.
Tap Enter Backup Key.
Enter your backup key.

Your backup key is the last one you generated and is displayed in 8×4 numbers and capital letters. Spaces do not need to be entered and some characters are equivalent to make your life easier: 0=O 1=I 2=Z 5=S. Note one or the other, the result will be the same. And this has been taken into account for the security of your backups.
Tap Restore Backup if the key is correct.
Tap Continue and Allow.
Tap Start Olvid.

Android

Tap Restore Backup.
Select from :
- From a file to restore a manual backup. Find the file with the appropriate .olvidbackup extension.
- From the cloud to restore an automatic backup from Google Drive or your cloud accessible via WebDAV.
  - Choose which Account to use, especially if several accounts are configured on your device.
  - choose the most recent backup file to restore.
Tap Continue and enter the backup key.
Enter your backup key.

Your backup key is the last one you generated and is displayed in 8×4 numbers and capital letters. Spaces do not need to be entered and some characters are equivalent to make your life easier: 0=O 1=I 2=Z 5=S. Note one or the other, the result will be the same. And this has been taken into account for the security of your backups.
Tap Verify Backup Key.
Tap Restore Backup if the key is correct. Then the back arrow to go back to the main screen.

What’s next?

You will find back your Olvid identity (ID), contacts, groups, settings and licence.

All secure channels are recreated with each of your contacts, some faster than others.

For your contacts who have turned off their device, you will have to wait until they are back online.

If a contact has changed devices without restoring a backup, their Olvid ID has changed and the creation of the secure channel will never end. You will have to delete their old ID from your contacts and invite their new ID.

Don’t forget to activate automatic backups or manual backups on the new device.

Your backup key will remain valid on your new device and for the next one.