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How to Export and Backup Your Digital Diary (and Why You Should)

You've been journaling for a year. 365 entries. Your whole inner life. Documented.

Then your phone breaks. Or the app shuts down. Or there's a security breach.

And suddenly, all those entries are gone.

This is a real fear for digital journalers. And it's legitimate.

That's why backing up your diary isn't optional. It's essential.

This post explains why, and shows you exactly how to backup and export your journal from DearDiario.

DearDiario's Built-In Protections

Before we talk about backups, it's worth noting that DearDiario has built-in protections:

  1. Encrypted Cloud Storage Your entries are synced to secure servers with AES-256 encryption.

  2. Regular Backups DearDiario backs up all user data multiple times daily.

  3. Data Ownership Your data is yours. DearDiario doesn't own it.

But even with all these protections, you should have your own backup.

How to Export Your Entries from DearDiario

DearDiario allows you to export all your entries in standard formats:

Step 1: Open DearDiario Settings Go to Profile

Step 2: Choose Export Format Options include:

  • JSON (importable into other apps)
  • CSV (openable in Excel)
  • Markdown (future-proof, platform-agnostic)

Step 3: Download Your Data Your entries download as a file to your computer.

Step 4: Store Safely Save in at least two locations (see below).

Export Formats Explained

JSON Format

  • Most portable
  • Can be imported into other apps
  • Preserves all metadata (dates, mood ratings, etc.)
  • Not human-readable unless formatted

Best for: Switching to another app

CSV Format

  • Openable in Excel or Google Sheets
  • Spreadsheet format makes it easy to search and sort
  • Can be imported into databases
  • Loses some formatting

Best for: Data analysis and spreadsheet manipulation

Markdown Format

  • Future-proof (plain text, will be readable forever)
  • Can be imported into many note-taking apps
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Human-readable

Best for: Long-term archival and migration to other apps

Where to Store Your Backup

Single Location is Not Enough

If you back up to only one place and that place fails, you've still lost your data.

Follow the 3-2-1 rule of backups:

3 copies of your data (including the original) 2 different storage media (e.g., cloud + external hard drive) 1 offsite location (so a house fire doesn't destroy everything)

Example Backup Setup:

  1. Original in DearDiario (cloud-based, encrypted)
  2. Backup on External Hard Drive (stored at home)
  3. Backup in Cloud Storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud—encrypted, stored offsite)

Specific Setup Steps:

  1. Export your data as JSON from DearDiario
  2. Download to your computer
  3. Save a copy to an external hard drive
  4. Upload the JSON file to encrypted cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud)
  5. Consider printing a PDF and storing it physically (optional, but for extreme long-term archival)

Backup Schedule

How Often Should You Back Up?

  • Weekly: Backup to external drive (if you journal daily)
  • Monthly: Upload to cloud storage
  • Quarterly: Review your backup to make sure it's working

If you journal less frequently, you can back up less often. But don't let more than a month go by without backing up.

Testing Your Backup

A backup that you've never tested is useless.

Test Your Backup:

  1. Export your data
  2. Delete a few entries (or do this on a test account)
  3. Try to import your backup into another app (or restore it)
  4. Verify that all entries are there

If your backup can't be imported or restored, it's not useful.

Future-Proofing Your Entries

Even with backups, consider the long-term readability of your data.

Creating a Backup Schedule

Set Reminders:

Put these in your calendar:

  • Monthly reminder: "Backup DearDiario to external drive"
  • Quarterly reminder: "Backup DearDiario to cloud storage"
  • Annually: "Review and test backup"

Or automate it:

  • Use cloud sync (Google Drive, Dropbox) to automatically backup files
  • Schedule a monthly computer backup that includes DearDiario data

Legal and Privacy Considerations

Your Data is Yours

You own your entries. DearDiario doesn't own them. No one does but you.

When you export your data, you're simply taking possession of what's already yours.

Privacy in Backups

Keep your backups as secure as your original entries.

  • Don't leave the export file on a public computer
  • Don't email it to yourself unencrypted
  • Don't post it online
  • Consider encrypting the backup file itself (many cloud services offer this)

Ongoing Practices

After You Export:

  1. Store Safely (multiple locations)
  2. Label Clearly ("DearDiario_Backup_Nov2025")
  3. Test Periodically (can you actually read it?)
  4. Update Regularly (don't let your backup get 6 months old)
  5. Document Location (keep a list of where you stored backups)

Starting This Week

Today: Export your current entries from DearDiario

This week: Save the file to an external hard drive and to cloud storage

Monthly: Set a reminder to repeat

Annually: Test your backup to make sure it works

The Peace of Mind

Once you have a backup, you can journal without fear.

Your words are preserved. Your memories are safe. Your story is documented forever.

Even if DearDiario disappears tomorrow, your entries are yours.

Your diary is precious. Protect it with backups.