PN Web OS Backup & Restore: Quick Reference
Version 2.0 | November 1, 2025
🚀 Quick Start
Create Backup (30 seconds)
- Open Settings app (⚙️)
- Click Data Management
- Click Export Encrypted Backup (⬇️)
- Enter password
- Click Export Backup
- Save file to safe location
Restore Backup (1 minute)
- Open Settings app
- Click Data Management
- Click Import Backup (⬆️)
- Select backup file
- Enter password
- Click Import Backup
- Wait for completion
- Log back in
📊 Backup Schedule
| Usage | Frequency |
|---|
| Daily work | Daily or after major changes |
| Weekly use | Weekly |
| Occasional | After each session |
| Critical project | Immediately after finishing |
Rule: If losing it would upset you, back it up NOW.
💾 Storage Locations
✅ Recommended
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| USB Drive | Offline, secure, portable | Can be lost/damaged |
| Cloud Storage | Accessible anywhere, safe | Requires internet |
| NAS | Fast, local network | Setup required |
❌ Not Recommended
- Only on same computer (defeats purpose)
- Downloads folder (gets cleaned)
- Desktop only (no off-site backup)
📋 3-2-1 Rule
- 3 copies (original + 2 backups)
- 2 storage types (USB + cloud)
- 1 off-site (cloud)
🔐 Security Cheat Sheet
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM (military-grade) |
| Key Derivation | PBKDF2-SHA256, 600,000 iterations |
| Layers | Dual (password + recovery phrase) |
| Cloud Safe? | ✅ YES - fully encrypted |
| Can PN see it? | ❌ NO - zero knowledge |
| Forgot password? | Use recovery phrase to reset password at /webos/auth/recover |
| Forgot both? | ⚠️ Data permanently lost |
📏 File Sizes
Expected Backup Size
Backup Size ≈ Your Data × 1.2
Examples:
1 MB files → ~1.2 MB backup
10 MB files → ~12 MB backup
100 MB files → ~120 MB backup
⚠️ Warning Signs
- Backup only 20-30 KB but you have MB+ of files → BUG!
- Solution: Hard refresh (Ctrl+Shift+R), try again
⏱️ Time Estimates
| Data Size | Export | Import |
|---|
| <1 MB | 1-2 sec | 2-5 sec |
| 1-10 MB | 2-5 sec | 5-15 sec |
| 10-50 MB | 5-15 sec | 15-45 sec |
| 50-100 MB | 15-30 sec | 45-120 sec |
| 100-500 MB | 30-90 sec | 2-5 min |
| >500 MB | 90+ sec | 5-10+ min |
Note: Import is slower than export.
✅ What's Included
In Backup
- ✅ All files + contents
- ✅ Folder structure
- ✅ File metadata
- ✅ Account info
- ✅ Settings
- ✅ App data
- ✅ Command history
NOT in Backup
- ❌ Browser bookmarks
- ❌ Browser extensions
- ❌ Browser passwords
- ❌ Website login sessions
🔧 Quick Troubleshooting
Problem: Backup too small (20-30 KB)
✓ Hard refresh: Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac)
✓ Clear cache
✓ Try export again
✓ Should now be correct size
Problem: "Incorrect password"
✓ Check Caps Lock
✓ Look for spaces at start/end
✓ Use recovery phrase to reset password (/webos/auth/recover)
✓ Or use recovery phrase to decrypt backup during import
✓ Verify using correct backup file
Problem: Import hangs
✓ Close other tabs/apps
✓ Wait longer (may be slow)
✓ Keep browser in foreground
✓ Don't switch tabs during import
Problem: Export button does nothing
✓ Allow popups for www.pn.com
✓ Disable ad blockers temporarily
✓ Try incognito mode
✓ Check JavaScript is enabled
🌐 Browser Compatibility
| Browser | Support | Notes |
|---|
| Chrome | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Best choice, highest limits |
| Edge | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Same as Chrome |
| Brave | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Chrome-based, excellent |
| Firefox | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good, slightly lower limits |
| Safari | ⭐⭐⭐ | Restricted storage limits |
| Mobile | ⭐⭐ | Very limited, not recommended |
| IE | ❌ | Not supported |
💡 Pro Tips
- Backup naming: Include date + milestone
- Multiple locations: USB drive + cloud storage = safe
- Test restores: Try importing in incognito mode occasionally
- Password manager: Store backup password there
- Recovery phrase: Write down physically, store securely
- Weekly habit: Friday afternoon = backup time
- Before updates: Always backup before major changes
- Verify size: Check backup file size matches expectations
- Version control: Keep last 3-4 backups
- Cloud storage: It's safe - backups are encrypted!
📞 Getting Help
Documentation
🎓 Remember
Your data is only as safe as your last backup.
Three rules of backup:
- Backup often (can't backup too much)
- Store safely (multiple locations)
- Test occasionally (verify backups work)
Print this page and keep it handy!
Last Updated: November 1, 2025 | Version: 2.0