A Local-First Backup And Restore Checklist
A local-first backup promise only matters if the user can find the file, understand what it contains, and restore it when the device changes.
LOCALOPTIONAL
CLOUD
Three takeaways.
Keep the useful core visible and under the user's control.
Start with the recovery promise
A backup feature should say what is included, where the file goes, what the user must keep, and what happens during restore. If photos, notes, collection data, proof packets, tags, or locations are involved, the backup language should name them plainly instead of hiding behind a vague sync claim.
Export data the user can keep.
Keep exports user-owned
Local-first products can support manual ZIP files, CSV, PDF, HTML, or optional Drive-style storage without requiring a custom server. The important line is control: the app should not need an account, subscription, pricing feed, scraper, or backend database just to let the user keep a copy of their own records.
Test restore, not just backup.
Test restore before relying on it
A backup checklist should include a restore test, a visible export date, version expectations, overwrite warnings, and a simple way to confirm the restored records are complete. Backups earn trust when the recovery path is boring, repeatable, and honest about what the app can and cannot recover.
Explain what is not uploaded.
A local-first backup promise only matters if the user can find the file, understand what it contains, and restore it when the device changes.