Overview on Cloud Backups
No Cloud based method is 100% safe.
Follow these Cloud Sync simple rules:
Every computer you are syncing should save zip backups to the same cloud folder, if you are not syncing live Projects with Dropbox.
It is best to have ALL/ANY cloud backup service set to store files to be available offline. (IE available at all times on your computer) This will avoid many sync issues with cloud services for your project. (Discussed below)
Enable saving backups with zip compression. A zip backup is essentially one file which contains everything inside the Project folder.
You should ALWAYS keep your zipped backups in a different folder from where your live project folders are stored. Ideally, the zip backups are saved on a cloud service as an additional backup option. (see below for a detailed discussion on several common cloud services) In this way, live Projects are stored locally on each machine and updated from a shared cloud based zip backup folder.
Strongly consider using dates in the backup name.
Ideally, save as many backups as your cloud storage allows, this helps if a sync issue occurs. When syncing between multiple computers, the computer with the lowest number of backups sets the limit for the other machines. Make sure all the sharing computers are sharing the same number of backups.
You should also consider storing recent zipped backups on a USB key or external hard drive as an additional safety measure when actively writing to a project. A little extra time to use the Menu command File > Backup to function to offload a copy of your project is well worth it.
For each computer, your live Project folders should be in an area that is NOT synced to the cloud and different from the backup location.
Allow the project to sync to the cloud before shutting down your computer. The dropbox app has a sync icon on it to show when the process is complete. Closing the computer early before the sync process has completed can result in errors.
There are two ways to backup Scrivener Projects to the cloud:
Method 1.
As a live folder project containing all the files. Per the L & L site ONLY Dropbox syncs live folders reliably.
Method 2.
Using a Compressed copy (zip copy) of your project for backups.
Zip backups can be reliably saved on most cloud services.
Copying your updated project’s zip backup to the local machine:
Extract the latest zip backup for the project and choose a location to place your Project Folder outside the sync folder.
I put them on my desktop, then delete the "old" Scrivener Project on the computer, then move the "new" Scrivener Project from the desktop into my Project folder where my local live projects are stored.
Open the updated project the normal way using the Menu command File > Open. Select the project folder and double click on the *.scrivx file to open the project.
Following step 2 ensures only one working copy of a Scrivener Project is on your computer at one time. Though this method requires more steps, it greatly reduces the risk of syncing issues when using Cloud services including iCloud, OneDrive, and GoogleDrive among others.
You want any Cloud service you are using to also save your files offline (locally on your computer) for additional safety and in case you are using your computer in a location without wifi, or stable wifi access. This ensures you have a usable backup on the computer/device at all times.
Setting different cloud services to save its files offline:
For Google Drive
Right-click on the letter of the Google Drive (usually G), then see the My Drive Icon. In the right-click options look at the option Offline access and make sure Available offline is checked.
This Google support Page shows how to use Google Drive Files offline.
For Microsoft OneDrive
To make a OneDrive file or folder always available on your computer offline, right-click on the file or folder and select "Always keep on this device".
The file or folder will now display a dark green tick. (see above) These always available files download to your device and take up space, but they’re always there for you even when you’re offline.
This Microsoft Support Page explains how to keep One Drive files always on your computer.
For iCloud
Install the iCloud app for the PC from the Microsoft store (free download)
Sign in with your iCloud password and ID
You will be asked to verify the request to install and enter a code. You will receive an email as well about this.
The screen will give you options as to what you want to add to the computer.
After installing iCloud you will have two ways to ensure your iCloud files (including Scrivener backups are stored locally on the computer.
Method 1:
Open the app. If you open the app and will see the iCloud Drive option with a Caret to the far right. Click this and make sure the iCloud Drive option that files will sync to their own folder in File Explorer is clicked on. You will also have the option to change the default storage folder. (see the image below)
Method 2:
Go to the iCloud drive icon in your File Explorer and right click.
Right click on folder and at top of the list chose Always keep on device.
Any changes you make to the file will automatically upload to iCloud Drive when you're back online.
Here is a link to the apple guide for this-
For Dropbox-
There are two methods to store the files offline on your computer:
Method One-
Install the Dropbox app on the computer and open it.
You can right click on the Dropbox folder on your computer after you have installed the desktop app. Click Manage Hard Drive Space. When you click this, you can view the status of your Dropbox items as individual files or as folders (Use the folder view).
You will see the screen below. You want to see the Dropbox on hard drive option with a green check. This means all dropbox files are BOTH on your hard drive AND online. This is the safest option to prevent data loss for Scrivener projects or any other information in Dropbox.
For Dropbox look here for the information on keeping your files stored with a copy on your own computer.
If you use Dropbox to sync and Ipad and a Windows/Mac Computer then set up a folder on the Dropbox account called Apps > Scrivener > Hold your live Scrivener Project Folders. Set this up before moving Scrivener into the Dropbox Folder.
On an IPad must manually sync as there is no Autosync. Can pause and restart sync to make sure files do actually sync. Scrivener will often detect and do mobile syncing automatically.
Note computer backup services like Carbonite, IDrive, etc can also back up scrivener files to the cloud. Make sure where you store your zipped backups are included in the folders/files saved by these type of services.
It is best to have ALL/ANY cloud backup service set to store files to be available offline. (IE available at all times on your computer) This will avoid many snyc issues with cloud services for your project. Currently, Dropbox is the most reliable service to sync projects between computers, but you should also ALWAYS keep your zipped backups in a different folder that is also on the cloud service as an additional backup option. You should also consider storing recent zipped backups on a USB key or external hard drive as an additional safety measure. A little extra time to use the File > Backup to function to offload a copy of your project is well worth it.
If there is a problem with a Scrivener Project stored on Dropbox, then before trying to recover a backup go to your backup folder [File > Options > Backup > here you will see where your backups are stored.]
By keeping all backups, you will not overwrite any of your project’s backups when you open a backup to try and recover data. When the problem is resolved, then change this setting back to your desired number of backups. If you have the room, consider saving a larger number of backups to protect against data loss. This way, you open multiple backups to recover the lost data and NOT worry about anything being overwritten.
When the data is recovered, you can reset the number to your normal backup number.
Method 2-
Right-click on the app icon in your computer taskbar.
Click on the your avatar/name in the right upper corner of the newly opened screen.
Click Preferences and then click the Sync tab in the newly opened screen. (See images below)
The Sync screen gives you multiple options. If you have the room, choose Available offline and all the files will be available locally and in the cloud.
Note computer backup services like Carbonite, IDrive, etc can also back up scrivener files to the cloud. Make sure where you store your zipped backups are included in the folders/files being backed up by these type of services. All Scrivener files should be backed up multiple ways including externally to a hard drive or USB key as added insurance for these precious files.
Cloud FAQ.
Many other cloud sync services will have issues maintaining live Scrivener Projects. Specifically for Scrivener- One Drive, Google Drive, Icloud Drive can have sync issues. This is different than using a compressed zip file. As a single file this will not be corrupted.
Sync with Mobile devices-
Menu Command- Sync with mobile devices- Will check for changes between current project and your mobile project. If there are, then it will close the project and correct the issues and reopen.
Oliver suggests sync with mobile device before leave House where you have a stable internet connection, rather than wait till away from home.
You can check for Sync Conflicts
Solving sync conflicts
Have you edited your project on different computers or devices at the same time and forgot the hit the Sync-icon? You’ll have to solve sync conflicts.
You don’t have to do anything if Scrivener resolves the conflicts by itself, but the software occasionally saves files with conflicts in a folder called Conflicts with “Conflicted Copy” attached to its title.
The Conflicts Folder
The Conflicts folder appears at the bottom of your Binder, sporting a yellow warning icon. A folder, named by the date the conflict happened, will be inside the Conflicts folder containing copies of the conflicted files. Also, Scrivener creates a Document Bookmark, pointing back to the file it conflicts with inside the Binder.
You can compare and see if any issues, and if not then delete.
In its context menu, you’ll discover the command to [Open > in Other Editor], making comparing documents side-by-side more convenient. Scrivener will delete nothing without you initiating it. Two versions of the same text exist in this case. It’s up to you what to do with them. You may want to keep the one already in the Binder, one of the conflicted files, or copy content from the conflicted file to the one in the Binder.
Trash the rest.