Backup & Restore

Ensure your reading progress and library data are safe.

Novon's backup system is fully local by default. There is no centralized cloud account, meaning your data remains solely on your device.

Backups are plain JSON files that contain everything needed to reconstruct your library on a fresh install, minus the actual downloaded chapter files (which can be re-downloaded from their respective sources).

Creating a Backup

Go to Settings > Data & Storage > Backup & Restore > Create Full Backup.

This creates a highly compressed .json.gz file in the backups/ subfolder of your selected storage directory. The file name usually looks like novon_backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.json.gz.

What is included in a Full Backup?

  • Novels in your library (metadata, source URL, reading status)
  • Chapters (list of chapters and read progress)
  • Reading history and time spent
  • Custom Categories
  • Library flags (custom display settings per novel, favorite tags)
  • Tracker synchronization settings
  • All App Settings

Tracker Token Security (OAuth)

OAuth tokens used for external trackers (e.g., AniList, MyAnimeList) are extremely sensitive. If included in a backup, they are AES-256 encrypted using a key derived from your specific device's hardware ID.

Cross-Device Restores

If you restore a backup onto a different device, your tracker tokens cannot be decrypted. You will need to manually log back into AniList/MyAnimeList in the settings of the new device. All other data will restore perfectly.

Custom Backups

If you only want to backup specific data (e.g., just your App Settings, but not your reading history), use the Custom Backup… button to selectively export tables.

Restoring a Backup

Go to Settings > Data & Storage > Backup & Restore > Restore from File….

Select a previously created .json.gz or .json backup file.

Restore Modes

When restoring, you must choose how to resolve conflicts with your existing library:

  1. Merge (Default): Existing library entries are kept. Backup entries are added. If a novel exists in both, the metadata is overwritten by the backup, but read status is merged safely (if you read Chapter 5 locally but the backup only has Chapter 3, Novon remembers you read Chapter 5).
  2. Replace (Destructive): Your current library is wiped entirely, and the backup is applied totally fresh. You must type REPLACE to confirm this action.

Automated Backups

You don't need to remember to press the backup button.

  1. Go to Settings > Data & Storage.
  2. Enable Auto-Backup.
  3. Choose a frequency (Hourly, Daily, Weekly).
  4. Set the Retention Limit (e.g., keep the last 5 backups, deleting older ones to save space).

The app uses Android/iOS background task managers to perform this silently.

WebDAV Cloud Sync

For true peace of mind, you can push your automated backups to your own cloud server (Nextcloud, ownCloud, or any WebDAV provider).

Toggle WebDAV Sync, enter your server URL and credentials, and Novon will upload the latest backup JSON to your server immediately after it generates locally.