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DataVault for iOS, All Versions
Table of Contents, Troubleshooting FAQ

Ascendo DataVault User Guide

Password Manager for iPhone, iPad & iPod Touch


Chapter 6 - Backup and Restore

DataVault for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch can backup and restore data in several ways.

  • Using Dropbox
  • Using iCloud
  • Using iOS Application File Sharing
  • Using DataVault Desktops
  • Using iTunes


Using Dropbox

DataVault (v4.6.36+) can backup and restore information using a free Dropbox account.

To backup to Dropbox, tap on the Tools & Settings icon, then tap on Backup & Restore > Backup to Dropbox. If you have not already logged in, you will be asked to enter your Dropbox username and password. After logging in to Dropbox, DataVault will propose a default backup filename including the date and the device name. To see the entire filename on iPhones or iPod Touches you can rotate the device to change to landscape mode. After accepting or editing the filename, tap on the Backup button. After a few seconds, a confirmation should appear indicating that the backup was successful.

To restore from Dropbox, tap on the Tools & Settings icon, then tap on Backup & Restore > Restore. DataVault will display all available backups by location (Device, iCloud, Dropbox). Tap on a file in the Dropbox section to restore its contents. If the password used to make the backup is different than the master password, you will prompted to enter the password used to make the backup.

To delete a backup, swipe your finger from right to left across the filename and confirm deletion.

Using iCloud

DataVault can create an automatic daily backup and store it on your iCloud disk space. To use this feature you must have an iCloud account.

Once your iCloud account is set up, go to iOS Settings then select iCloud and set Documents & Data to ON. Then start DataVault on your iOS device, tap on the tools icon, select Backup & Restore and set Backup Using iCloud to on. If you edit DataVault information a backup will be automatically stored on iCloud. In accordance with Apple guidelines, only one backup per day will be stored in iCloud with the most recent edits.

Switching Automatic Backup to ON will make a backup to iCloud and to your device each time you modify an item. DataVault will save the last seven automatic backups and delete the older ones. Filenames of automatic backups will include AutoBackup.

To restore from an iCloud backup, start DataVault and select Backup & Restore > Restore DataVault will display all available backups by location (Device, iCloud, Dropbox). Tap on a file in the Dropbox section to restore its contents. If the password used to make the backup is different than the master password, you will prompted to enter the password used to make the backup.

To delete a backup, swipe your finger from right to left across the filename and confirm deletion.

More information can be found on the iCloud Backup and Restore page in the Apple Knowledge Base.

If you are having problems using iCloud Backup, troubleshooting information can be found on the DataVault for iOS Frequently Asked Questions page.

Using iOS Application File Sharing

iOS file sharing, available in iOS 4 and above, allows you to manage files associated with an app and copy those files to and from your desktop using iTunes (Version 9.1+). DataVault uses iOS file sharing to create password protected, encrypted backups. This provides the flexibility to manage multiple, dated backups of the information stored in DataVault without having to backup your entire device or install additional software on your desktop.

Switching Automatic Backup to ON will make a backup to iCloud and to your device each time you modify an item. DataVault will save the last seven automatic backups and delete the older ones. Filenames of automatic backups will include AutoBackup.

Please Note: There are a few important considerations when using this method.

  • iOS file sharing removes files when an app is deleted. To move a backup to your desktop for permanent storage, or to move your DataVault information to another device, you need to use iTunes desktop.
  • To restore from a backup, the DataVault master password must be the same as the one used when the backup was created.



To backup DataVault using iOS application file sharing and move the file to your desktop, follow these steps.

  1. Start DataVault for iOS and tap on the tools icon to display the Options menu.
  2. Tap on Backup & Restore.
  3. Modify the default file name if desired and tap on Save in the navigation bar.
  4. Start iTunes on your desktop, connect your device and synchronize.
  5. Click on the iTunes Apps tab, select DataVault and scroll to the File Sharing section at the bottom of the page (see screen shot below).
  6. Select a backup file and click on the Save to... button to make a copy on your desktop.

To restore from a DataVault backup on your desktop, follow the steps below.

  1. Start iTunes on your desktop and connect your device.
  2. Click on the iTunes Apps tab, select DataVault and scroll to the File Sharing section at the bottom of the page (see screen shot below).
  3. Click on the Add button and select a DataVault backup file (*.dvx) on your desktop.
  4. Synchronize iTunes with your device.
  5. Start DataVault for iOS and tap on the tools icon to display the Options menu.
  6. Tap on Restore then select the appropriate backup for the list. On iPhone or iPod Touch, you may need to tilt the device horizontally to see the complete file name.

See Apple's knowledge base
article for additional information on iOS file sharing.




Using DataVault Desktops

You can use the .dvx file straight from iTunes to import into DataVault on your desktop. You can also sync the .dvx backups like any other document so that you can use them to restore your data to a replacement iPhone, or after you’ve done a restore.

Drag the backup you want to use to your desktop, and then point DataVault there after initiating a restore from File Restore.

Using iTunes

You can use iTunes to backup and restore applications in addition to other media. However, iTunes backs up your entire device and certain restrictions apply to data stored in 3rd party applications. Detailed instructions are available in the Apple Knowledge Base article Backing up, updating, and restoring iOS software.

Please Note: As recommended by Apple, DataVault for iOS stores information in the Apple KeyChain. For security purposes, iTunes will not restore KeyChain information to a new device unless you selected to encrypt the backup when you created it with iTunes, see Apple Knowledge Base article About iOS backups for more information.

To encrypt iTunes backups, check off Encrypt iPhone/iPad Backup in Device > Summary. Be sure to note the password used to make the iTunes backup as it will be required to restore from the backup, see iTunes support for more information.







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