Backup FAQ – Momento

Momento can backup your data locally or to iCloud incase you lose or damage your device.

Please note: A backup is not the same as an export. Backup files are not designed to be opened on your computer.

How do I backup my Momento data?

In Momento, go to Settings > Data > Backup & Restore.

Choose your backup preferences (detailed below) and then tap 'Backup Now' to create your first backup. This will create a backup of all your Momento database, settings and media. Momento will store your backups efficiently so only one copy of your media is stored.

Automatic Daily Backup

Backups can be set to trigger automatically on a daily basis with the 'Automatic Daily Backup' setting. Momento will efficiently backup images so they are not duplicated with every backup operation. Daily backups are only run on days where Momento is launched. If Momento isn't launched then a backup won't be created.

For your initial backup we always recommend doing this manually by tapping the 'Create Backup' button.

iCloud Backup

This will store your backups in iCloud. If this is disabled your backups will only be stored locally on your device (see the 'Local Storage' section below).

If the iCloud backup option isn't available:

Ensure you are logged into iCloud in iOS Settings > iCloud
Ensure iCloud Drive is ON and 'Momento' is enabled in iOS Settings > iCloud Drive.

IMPORTANT: When Momento creates a backup for iCloud you will see the progress of the backup creation not the upload. This will be handled in the background by iOS. If you have a lot of data this can take a long time. We highly recommend ensuring you're connected to a fast WiFi connection to create the initial backup.

If you are wanting to transfer your data to a new device we recommend using a manual backup rather than iCloud as this will be much quicker, especially for devices with a lot of Momento data.

Local Backup

If the iCloud option is disabled then backups will be created locally on your device. After creating a backup you will need to copy it to your computer for safe keeping using macOS File Sharing (macOS Catalina or later), previously iTunes File Sharing for older versions of macOS.

Copying a backup file to your computer using File Sharing (macOS 10.15+):

Open a Finder window.
Connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to your computer with a USB cable.
Select your device in the Finder. Find out what to do if your computer isn't recognising your device.
Click the Files tab.
Click the triangle next to 'Momento' to see the backup and/or export files.
Select the files you want to copy.
Drag the files to a folder on your computer. macOS unfortunately does not display progress for the copying process. Please monitor the size of the resulting 'Backups' folder on your computer using macOS's 'Get Info' function and wait until the file size stops increasing and matches the file size presented in the 'Files' tab of your iPhone.

⚠️ Important note: The date displayed in 'Files' section of your device, alongside the 'Backups' folder is inaccurate and will not represent the date of the latest backup. Once you have copied the folder to your computer you will see the new backup file present in the 'Data' folder.

⚠️ DO NOT modify any of the files within the 'Backup' folder as this may corrupt your backup. Backup files are not encrypted or considered secure. We strongly recommend storing them in a safe and secure place on your computer and removing them from your iPhone/iPad after they've been safely copied.

Copying a backup file to your computer using iTunes File Sharing (older version of macOS and PC):

Open iTunes on your Mac or PC.
Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer using the USB cable that came with your device.
Click your device in iTunes.
In the left sidebar, click File Sharing.
Click 'Momento' to see the backup and/or export files.
Select the files you want to copy.
Drag the files to a folder on your computer or click the 'Save...' button in the bottom right of the files list.

macos-mojave-itunes-iphone12-pro-connected-file-sharing-documents-list.png

⚠️ Important note: Please note that the date displayed in iTunes alongside the 'Backups' folder is inaccurate and will not represent the date of the latest backup. Once you have copied the folder to your computer you will see the new backup file present in the 'Data' folder.

Deleting backup files from your device using iTunes File Sharing:

Select the files you want to delete in the Documents list (as pictured above) and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Click Delete when iTunes asks you to confirm.

Where are my backups stored?

iCloud Backups

If you have selected to backup your data to iCloud then the files are stored in iCloud Documents but are hidden from iCloud Drive so cannot be accessed directly.

Local Backups

If you have selected to backup your data locally then the files are stored in the Documents folder on your device. This can be accessed via File Sharing. See the section above on how to access these files.

How much iCloud storage are my backups consuming?

You can find out how much iCloud storage Momento is using from iOS Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > Momento.

If you have just completed a backup, it may take some time for this to show the full size as data may be still being uploaded to iCloud.

How can I delete my backups?

iCloud

If you would like to delete all your backups from iCloud you can do so in iOS Settings > iCloud > Storage > Manage Storage > Momento > Edit > Delete All.

Local Storage

Ensure you're running the latest version of iTunes (these instructions relate to v12.7 and later)
Connect your device to your computer and launch iTunes.
Select your device.
Click 'Fire Sharing' in the list on the left.
Select 'Momento' from the list of Apps.
Select the files you want to delete in the Documents list and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
Click Delete when iTunes asks you to confirm.

How do I restore my data from a Momento backup?

For information on how to restore your data, please see our Restore FAQ.