Backup and Sync are two different ways of uploading and storing your files on Telia Cloud. Each method has its own benefits. This will help you to decide when to use the backup feature, and when to use the sync feature.
Backup
The Telia Cloud desktop app can automatically back up folders from your computer to Telia Cloud. Backup can run continuously (default) or be scheduled on certain times and days.
Backup lets you select folders that you want Telia Cloud to "watch", by dragging the folders into the "Backup" tab in the Telia Cloud desktop client.
Changes you make in these folders are mirrored FROM your computer TO Telia Cloud. All the folders you back up to Telia Cloud are located under the Backup tab of your Telia Cloud account.
Use backup when you want to:
Backup files for safekeeping on Telia Cloud
Access those files from anywhere in the world using our web app or mobile app
Backup an external hard drive to Telia Cloud
Backup a NAS to Telia Cloud
Note: Files you add to a backed-up folder are automatically uploaded to Telia Cloud. Files you modify in a backed-up folder are uploaded to Telia Cloud as a new version of the file. We keep five versions of your files.
Note: Files you delete from your computer are ALSO deleted from your backup on Telia Cloud.
Note: If you delete, modify or add files to your backup on Telia Cloud using our web app or mobile app, those changes will NOT be synchronized back to your computer.
Use the Archive if you just want to store files on Telia Cloud and not on your computer. Read more about the Archive here.
Synchronization
The Telia Cloud desktop app lets you synchronize files between all your computers and Telia Cloud.
A special folder called the Sync folder mirrors the content both TO AND FROM Telia Cloud. Synchronization is instant and continuous.
Folders inside the sync folder can be shared with your friends and colleagues. When they join the folder, all of its content will be synchronized to their computers. Everyone who shares the folder can make changes that are synchronized to all other members instantly.
Use the sync folder when you want to:
Synchronize files and folders to all your computers
Access and make changes to files and folders, via our web app or mobile app, that you want to be synchronized back to your computers
Collaborate on folders with friends and colleagues
Note: If you delete a file from the Sync folder, it will be deleted from Telia Cloud and all your synchronized computers. If you delete a file from a shared folder, it will be deleted from all the member's computers.
Note: Files located in the Sync folder will NOT be downloaded to mobile devices automatically. This is simply because mobile devices have limited storage space compared to computers. Instead, you can browse and download the files you want to access.
Where should I put my folders?
We usually recommend that you put the folders which you want to share, or need immediate access to on all your devices, in the Sync folder. The data you just want to safely back up should be added to the Backup tab in the desktop client.
The reasoning behind this is that it is very easy to use up a lot of hard drive space on your connected devices if all data is put into the sync folder.
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
You cannot add the same folder to both the Sync folder and Backup, you have to choose one of the systems on a per-folder basis. If you for some reason want to put a folder from Backup in the Sync folder, you have to copy it and give it a new name.