How to backup and restore libraries, settings, and plugins - Page 2

BetterRed · 02-21-2026, 09:19 PM

Q. Why do I backup anything?
A. So that I can restore something that broke.

Q. Who or what is most like to break something?
A. Me.

Q. What kind of something are you most likely to break?
A. A single format file, a cover, a book.

Q. Can you restore any of those from a calibre library Export archive?
A. No I can't.

Q. How about the calibre configuration folder… arguably it's more precious that your libraries?
A. Nope… not even that.

BR
.

JSWolf · 02-22-2026, 07:52 AM

My suggestion is to use FreeFileSync to backup your calibre settings and libraries. By using freeFileSync, you only have to copy what's new and what's changed. And by using FreefileSync, you can copy anything you need/want from the backup.

The plugins are in the settings directory.

theducks · 02-22-2026, 12:59 PM

↑ ↑ ↑ ✔
Freefilesync allows the task to have/use multiple PATHS. So one path is the Library and the other is the config folder (that includes the plugins and their USER settings)
(Libraries can also have specific PI settings included).
FWIW it takes longer to find what needs updating than do that. Still is way faster than a FULL backup.

Tarana · Yesterday, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And DO NOT use Google Drive as it WILL CORRUPT your library.

Google Drive was all I had until recently. I just backed up only the ebook folders on that due to the warning about potential corruption. I can always reread the stuff into a new version of Calibre - I couldn't replace a lot of those books. Twice yearly, I backup everything on 2 hard drives - one I keep and one my sister keeps.

theducks · Yesterday, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

Google Drive was all I had until recently. I just backed up only the ebook folders on that due to the warning about potential corruption. I can always reread the stuff into a new version of Calibre - I couldn't replace a lot of those books. Twice yearly, I backup everything on 2 hard drives - one I keep and one my sister keeps.

YOU CAN first ZIP up the Library, then save on GD. GD makes changes to the file name it saves. Those are safe INSIDE a zip/rar.

JSWolf · Yesterday, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

YOU CAN first ZIP up the Library, then save on GD. GD makes changes to the file name it saves. Those are safe INSIDE a zip/rar.

The problem with that is that every time you go to do a backup, you have t do a full compression and then upload the the full library instead of being able to sync and just upload what's changed/new.

theducks · Yesterday, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The problem with that is that every time you go to do a backup, you have t do a full compression and then upload the the full library instead of being able to sync and just upload what's changed/new.

It is a PITA, but it is NOT a problem.
WHY?
Because it WORKS. Problems are things that fail.

02-21-2026, 09:19 PM	#16
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,404 Karma: 31000056 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Q. Why do I backup anything? A. So that I can restore something that broke. Q. Who or what is most like to break something? A. Me. Q. What kind of something are you most likely to break? A. A single format file, a cover, a book. Q. Can you restore any of those from a calibre library Export archive? A. No I can't. Q. How about the calibre configuration folder… arguably it's more precious that your libraries? A. Nope… not even that. BR . Last edited by BetterRed; 02-21-2026 at 09:22 PM.

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02-22-2026, 07:52 AM	#17
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 82,161 Karma: 150871427 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	My suggestion is to use FreeFileSync to backup your calibre settings and libraries. By using freeFileSync, you only have to copy what's new and what's changed. And by using FreefileSync, you can copy anything you need/want from the backup. The plugins are in the settings directory.

02-22-2026, 12:59 PM	#18
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,536 Karma: 62543878 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	↑ ↑ ↑ ✔ Freefilesync allows the task to have/use multiple PATHS. So one path is the Library and the other is the config folder (that includes the plugins and their USER settings) (Libraries can also have specific PI settings included). FWIW it takes longer to find what needs updating than do that. Still is way faster than a FULL backup.