Sync, backup, and export

Sync, backup, and export solve different problems. Knowing which copy you have matters most when a device is lost or you are about to make a large change.

The three copies

Action	What it does	What it is for
Sync	Sends each changed item as an encrypted file and brings changes to your other signed-in devices	Working across devices
Bracemark backup	Writes a readable .zip containing links, lists, tags, pins, files, settings, and Trash, except locked lists	Restoring missing items or keeping a separate copy
Other exports	Writes HTML bookmarks, CSV, or plain URLs, each with less detail than a backup	Moving links into another app or reading them outside Bracemark

Sync is automatic when the device can connect; it doesn’t keep earlier versions of an edit. An export is a snapshot made from this device’s copy. It checks for newer synced data first and tells you if it has to export the local copy without reaching the server. An exported file is readable by anyone who opens it, so store it deliberately.

For a complete backup, unlock your locked lists first. Their names and links are omitted from every export while locked. See export your data for the exact formats and import your links for how a backup merges back in. Importing a backup fills missing items but doesn’t overwrite an item that still exists on your device, so it isn’t edit history.