Make and check backups of Notes and Vault
Sync helps keep your devices up to date. A separate backup gives you another copy to open later. Notes and Vault each have their own encrypted backup, protected by a password you choose for that file. Your account recovery key can't replace a forgotten backup password.
1. Check that your latest work is there
Sign in and unlock Notes or Vault on a device you trust. Look for your recent changes and check any message about changes still waiting to sync. Backups cover one space at a time. If you use both Notes and Vault, make one backup of each.
2. Choose the encrypted backup
In the Notes menu or the Vault More menu, choose Encrypted backup and restore. Enter a separate backup password of at least 12 characters, confirm it and press Download encrypted backup. The other JSON, Markdown ZIP and Vault CSV exports contain readable content. A file ending in .zip isn't necessarily encrypted.
3. Test the file you downloaded
In the same dialog, select your download under Check or restore a backup. Enter its password and press Check password and preview. Check the item counts and whether you chose Notes or Vault. This checks the file in your browser without restoring anything.
4. Store the file and password where you can reach them
Keep the encrypted file somewhere you can access if this device or account is unavailable. Keep its password in a separate protected place. If its only password is inside the Vault you're locked out of, it won't help you open the backup.
5. Restore only when you mean to add copies
Add restored copies puts restored items alongside your current items and keeps current settings. Each restored item is treated as a new item, so you may end up with duplicates. Check sync afterward. A successful restore in this browser doesn't mean every restored item has reached the server yet.
6. Plan the next backup
Account's Recovery checkup can remind you in this browser and show when this browser last recorded a backup download. Make and check another backup after important changes. A download date doesn't prove you still have the file or know its password. Keep checked older backups until you've checked a newer one.
Good to know
Keep your backup password: the account recovery key can't unlock this file in its place. Encryption protects a locked backup, but an unsafe device can expose its contents when you open it.