Syncing backups

This is how to automate and sync your backups across devices.

Your phone is a good storage solution for your backups, because it usually has a lot of unused space

This guide is for Android.

For Qubes OS

Create a standalone qube just for backups. Open Settings >> Qubes Tools >> Backup Qubes. Choose the VMs you want to back up.

If some VMs haven’t changed in a while, skip them - you can always download them later if needed. But if you want a plug-and-play style backup, include everything.

Estimate how big the backup will be, then go to the backup qube’s settings and allocate enough private storage to hold it.

Turn on the backup VM.

In the next window, select this VM as the backup destination, and choose any location inside /home (since you increased private storage, not system). Pick a password you haven’t used elsewhere.

Run the backup. It’ll take around 20-40 minutes depending on how much stuff you selected. Just set it and come back when it’s done - you can keep working while it runs.

Using Syncthing + Phone Storage

Install Syncthing on both the backup VM and the device you’ll use as storage.

Make sure both devices are on the same local network. Share the backup folder and sync them

For Other systems

Use any backup tool you like: rsync, borg, restic, whatever. Just make sure it encrypts.
Then sync the backup with Syncthing the same way.