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Backup, Sync, and Transfer Your Data

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Christopher Hillbee
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By logging into your Gaia GPS account from the app, you will be able to backup and sync your data between your devices and gaiagps.com. You can also transfer any routes, waypoints, or folders created on the web to your device. 

 

How Sync works 

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All of your data, when it's synced, is saved in the Gaia Cloud. When you're on your computer, you're accessing the Gaia Cloud directly. If you see your data on the website at gaiagps.com, then your data is saved in the Cloud. It's that simple. 

But in order to see the same data on your mobile device as you see on your computer, your device must complete a sync. The Gaia GPS app will automatically initiate a sync if you do the following in the app:

  • when you come back into cell service after being offline
  • create or modify a Waypoint
  • create or modify a Photo 
  • create or modify a Map
  • create, modify, or stop recording a Track
Syncing will attempt to update both the server and app with the same data.
  • Recording a new track on a device, then syncing, will upload the track to the Cloud and will be viewable on the web.
  • Creating a route on the web, then syncing from the app, will sync the route to the device.

How long does it take to sync?

The app make take some time to sync as data is copied to or from the Cloud. The app must be connected to cellular or wifi during the entire process. If you have a lot of data to sync, especially photos, sync may take significantly longer. 

What if I don't see the same data on my device as I do on gaiagps.com?

No problem at all. You just need to manually initiate a sync. Here's how to do that:  
  • First, make sure you are logged into your account. In the app, go to the Account section of the Settings menu: Settings > Account.  If you are logged in, your email address will display underneath Account.

Sync_Logged_In.png

  • If you are not currently logged in, tap Account > Log In.  To create a new Gaia GPS account, tap "Start Exploring".  Tap "Have an account? Sign In." to log in with an existing account.

Enable Sync on your Account

1. Open the Gaia GPS app. Then tap Settings > Account

2. Toggle On "Sync/Backup" on iOS or "Sync with GaiaCoud" on Android to have your data automatically backup when the app is open and connected to WiFi or cell service.

 

iOS Android
Sync_on_iOS.png Sync_on_Android.png

 

3. Tapping "Last Sync" will initiate a sync with gaiagps.com

You can now find your data and manage your account by logging into gaiagps.com

 

Force a Sync

The Gaia GPS app will initiate a sync whenever you are online and you:

  • create or modify a Waypoint
  • create or modify a Photo
  • create or modify a Map
  • create, modify, or stop recording a Track

However, there may be times when you want to force a sync to bring your files up to date immediately. For instance, if you update something on our website and you want to see the change reflected on your device right away. Or, if you have multiple devices and want to synchronize changes between them immediately.

 

Method 1 - Swipe Down on the Saved menu

1. Open the Saved menu and swipe down on the screen. Hold the swipe briefly.  On iOS you'll see a refresh icon above the items in the Saved menu.  On Android, you'll see a "Downloading from GaiaCloud" message and progress bar.

iOS Android
mceclip0.png mceclip1.png

 

Method 2 - From Settings Menu

1. In the app, go to the Account section of the Settings menu.

2. Tap "Last Sync" to immediately trigger a sync between your device and gaiagps.com.

iOS Android
Last_Sync_iOS.png Last_Sync_Android.png

3. When finished, Last Sync will show the time the sync completed. 

 

F​AQ

Q: "Can I Sync DIRECTLY from one device to another?"

It's not possible to sync device-to-device. Both devices must sync with the Cloud.

 

So to sync from device 1 to device 2 in the diagram above:

  • User completes a sync from the app on device 1
  • (optional) user verifies data is on www.gaiagps.com
  • User completes a sync from the app on device 2

 

Q: “What if I inadvertently edit the same track on my iPhone and Gaia Cloud before the two have a chance to sync? How does it handle this situation?”

A: The second thing to sync will overwrite

So if you:

  • edit a track in the app and do not sync
  • then edit the same track on the website
  • then sync your phone
  • it will overwrite the changes you made on the website.

 

Same with multiple devices:

  • edit a track in the app on device 1
  • sync device 1 with the Cloud
  • (before syncing) edit the same track on device 2
  • sync device 2 with the Cloud
  • edits from device 2 will overwrite edits from device 1

 

Q: “What if a track is deleted from the Cloud but it is still on one of my devices that has synced turned off - will the track be deleted as soon as sync is turned on?”

Yes, the track will be deleted from the device as soon as the sync completes. If you accidentally deleted data from the web and you are trying to save data that is still on a device, the only way to do so is to :

  • Immediately put that device in airplane mode
  • disable syncing on that device
  • then export the data from the app 

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