How to back up your Book Tracker library

Backing up your library is important to keep your data safe and to make sure you can restore it if you change device or reinstall the app. Book Tracker includes a built in backup system that lets you create and manage backups easily. This guide explains how backups work and where they are stored.

Where backups are stored

By default, Book Tracker saves backups to iCloud Drive. However, in the Backup & Restore section of the app, you can choose where your backups are stored:

  • iCloud Drive
  • Local storage (on the device)

You can change this setting at any time.

iCloud Drive Backups

When backups are stored on iCloud Drive:

  • Backups are automatically synced across all your devices
  • You can see the same backups on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
  • All devices must be signed in with the same iCloud account

This is the recommended option if you use Book Tracker on more than one device and want your backups available everywhere.

Local Backups

When backups are stored locally:

  • Backups are saved only on the current device
  • They are not synced to other devices
  • They remain available even if iCloud is disabled for the app

This option is useful if you prefer to keep backups only on a specific device or if you do not want to use iCloud Drive.

Create a manual backup

iPhone/iPad

  1. Open Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore
  2. Tap Backup
  3. A new entry appears with date and time

Mac

  1. Open Book Tracker → Book Tracker > Settings → Backup & Restore
  2. Click Backup
  3. Verify the new entry with date and time

Tip: after major edits/imports, create a manual backup so you can roll back easily.

Verify your backups

Go to Settings→ Backup & Restore and check the list. You should see:

  • Automatic backups for the last 7 days
  • Any manual backups you createdConfirm the timestamp matches your latest work.

Export a backup file (optional but recommended)

If you want an extra copy outside the app (e.g., to Files, iCloud Drive, AirDrop, or external disk):

  1. Preferences → Backup & Restore
  2. Long tap/Right click the backup → Share
  3. Choose a destination (Files app location, AirDrop to Mac, email to yourself, etc.)

Note: exporting is optional; your primary backups remain stored locally in Book Tracker. If you delete the app, local backups are removed, export one before uninstalling or changing device.

Restore from a backup

Use this to recover data on the same device or after moving to a new one.

iPhone/iPad

  1. Settings → Backup & Restore
  2. Pick the backup (by date) → Restore
  3. Confirm; the app will reload your library from that backup

Mac

  1. Preferences → Backup & Restore
  2. Select backup → Restore → confirm

After restore, reopen your main screens. If you use iCloud sync, the app will reconnect and your restored data will sync to your other devices (see the sync troubleshooting tutorial if something looks out of date).

When to use backups vs CSV

  • Backups: full-fidelity restore/migration, preserving every detail.
  • CSV: analysis in spreadsheets, simple archiving of selected fields, or sharing a lightweight snapshot. (Remember CSVs won’t carry everything.)

Good practices

  • Let automatic daily backups run; they are your safety net (7-day history).
  • Create a manual backup before: large imports, bulk edits, factory resets, switching Apple ID, or major troubleshooting.
  • Export a copy to Files/AirDrop if you’re changing device or planning to delete/reinstall the app.
  • After a restore, give iCloud sync a moment to propagate to other devices; if a device is out of date, open Book Tracker on that device so it reconnects.