FAQ: Auto-Backup

Looking to use Auto-Backup but have questions around the difference in usage, how the backup works or how to troubleshoot? See the below FAQs for helpful information.

Q: What’s the difference between iCloud Sync and Auto Backup?

A: The main difference is that Auto Backup is a one-way backup that will create a copy of your documents in a different location, whereas iCloud Sync is a two-way sync that synchronizes one version of your documents across different devices. We listed more differences below.

Q: How should I back up my documents?

A: Usually, enabling iCloud Sync is sufficient for security reasons, for example in case you’re losing or damaging your device. Your data is still saved in iCloud and will download in Goodnotes on other devices that use the same iCloud account. We recommend setting up Auto Backup when you can’t/don’t want to use iCloud or when you need a way to access your documents in the cloud or on a computer where Goodnotes is not installed.

Q: Which format should I select for Auto Backup?

• As Goodnotes Document when you want to have an additional backup from where you can import/share documents that can be further edited in the app. This is the fastest method if you don't care about viewing your notes as PDFs.
• As PDF when you need to view the documents in the cloud or on devices where Goodnotes is not installed. Content on PDFs will be flattened and can’t be further edited in the app. For example: You won’t be able to erase your handwritten notes on a PDF anymore.
• As PDF and Goodnotes Document when you want to benefit from both of the above. Note that this will create two versions of every document in the same folder.

Q: How are my data and privacy protected when I grant the app access to my cloud storage account?

A: The app itself needs “Read & Write Access” to your cloud storage in order to save and modify files in the cloud. Of course, we won’t be able to see or modify any of your documents and files.

Q: I don’t want to include all files in the backup under my cloud storage. Can I do it?

A: You can set one or more “Excluded File Names” in the Auto Backup dialog. When a document title includes at least one of the “Excluded File Names”, it will not be backed up automatically. We recommend setting one excluded file name and then renaming documents that you want to exclude accordingly. For example: Set the excluded file name to “-exclude” and add the word “-exclude” to all document titles that you don’t want to back up automatically.

Q: Why is iCloud Drive not an option?

A: iCloud Drive doesn't provide the necessary integrations that would allow us to connect the Auto Backup feature. Since Goodnotes is available for macOS and iOS/iPadOS, you can enable iCloud Sync instead and synchronize your notes across devices to access them through the app directly.

Q: How can I restart Auto Backup?

A: If the feature stops working for some reason, please first make sure you have free space on the cloud storage to prevent any "failed upload" errors. Then try restarting Auto Backup:

1. Open the cloud storage app and rename the remote "Goodnotes" backup folder to something like "Goodnotes_old". For Dropbox users, please find the Auto Backup folder in /Apps/Goodnotes.
2. Disable Auto Backup.
3. Tap Done to close the menu.
4. Re-enable Auto Backup.
5. View the Auto Backup queue and check that your documents are uploading. Leave the app in the foreground until the queue is empty (i.e. "Backup successfully completed").
6. Check in the cloud storage app that you have all the documents uploaded. If so, you can delete the renamed folder ("Goodnotes_old") to save space.

To make it easier to observe things, you can open Goodnotes and the cloud storage app in Split View.

If Auto Backup still isn't working properly, please send us the diagnostic data from Goodnotes ⚙️ menu > About > Export Diagnostic Data.