How to Back Up Your Data Before Migrating to a New App

What should you do before migrating to a new app?

Create an independent backup before changing or deleting anything in the old system. Then inspect the export, keep more than one temporary copy, migrate representative records, and verify the new app before removing the old data.

A migration tool is not a substitute for a backup.

Export before you start

Whether you are moving notes, photos, passwords, project files, or business records, create an export from the original app first.

Keep that source copy unchanged during the migration. If the import fails or transforms information incorrectly, you need a clean version to return to.

Inspect the export format

Open the exported folder or archive and check what it contains.

Look for:

• Main records
• Attachments
• Folder structure
• Tags
• Timestamps
• Comments
• Links
• Metadata that matters to your workflow

Some export formats preserve content but lose structure. It is better to discover that before the migration.

Keep two temporary copies

During the migration, store the backup in at least two separate locations.

For example, keep one copy on your computer and another on an external drive or protected backup service.

Do not delete the old account immediately after the first successful import.

Test representative records

Open several different types of records in the new app.

Choose examples that test different parts of the migration:

1. A record with attachments
2. A record with formatting
3. An old record
4. A large record
5. A record with links or metadata
6. A record used by an automation or workflow

This helps reveal systematic problems that a quick spot check may miss.

Verify the new system before cleanup

Use the new app normally while the old copy still exists. Confirm search, attachments, links, formatting, dates, and any integrations you depend on.

Only remove temporary exports or close the old account after the new system has proved reliable.

Frequently asked questions

Is an export the same as a backup?

It can form part of a backup, but only if the export contains the information you need and is stored safely enough to restore later.

How long should I keep the old account?

Keep it until you have verified that the new system contains the data and functionality you need. The exact period depends on the migration and the service's retention rules.

Should I test every record?

For very large migrations, that may be impractical. Test counts where possible and inspect a representative sample covering different record types.

Bottom line

Treat migration as a data-integrity process: export, inspect, duplicate, migrate, verify, and only then clean up. That sequence gives you a recovery path if anything goes wrong.