Every freelancer knows this moment: you're about to send an important invoice, your laptop starts making weird noises, and suddenly... nothing. Panic. If you haven't backed up recently, you're not just losing a document — you're losing your business. Let's fix that.
The Hard Truth About Offline Apps
Here's the deal with Fakturky.top being offline-first: you own your data, which means you're responsible for backing it up. Unlike cloud services that claim "we back up everything for you," your data lives on your computer — and if that computer dies, the data goes with it.
🚨 Before You Continue
If you're reading this and don't have a current backup of your Fakturky database, stop reading and back up NOW. Seriously. We'll wait.
Where Does Fakturky Store Data?
First things first — let's find your database. Fakturky stores everything in SQLite database files that you need to back up.
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Fakturky/
Windows: %APPDATA%/Fakturky/
Linux: ~/.config/Fakturky/
Look for files ending in .db — those are your invoice databases. If you're using the multi-company feature, you'll see multiple database files (one for each company you manage).
Backup Methods Ranked by Ease of Use
Method 1: The "I Just Want It Safe" Approach
If you're not tech-savvy and just want your data safe, do this:
- Find your Fakturky database folder (see above)
- Copy the entire folder to an external hard drive, USB stick, or even a separate folder on your computer
- Label it "Fakturky Backup [date]"
- Repeat weekly or after significant work
Pros: Simple, doesn't require internet, you control everything.
Cons: Manual, easy to forget, doesn't sync across devices.
Method 2: Cloud Storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)
You can use your favorite cloud service as a backup destination. The key difference from "cloud invoicing" is that your cloud syncs the files, not the app. Fakturky never connects to Google Drive — your computer does.
Google Drive Backup
- Download and install Google Drive for desktop
- Sign in and create a folder called "Fakturky Backups"
- Copy your Fakturky database folder into that Google Drive folder
- Google Drive syncs everything automatically
iCloud Backup (macOS)
- Open System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud
- Enable "iCloud Drive"
- Open Finder, right-click your Fakturky folder
- Select "Add to iCloud Drive"
Dropbox Backup
- Install Dropbox desktop app
- Create a "Fakturky Backups" folder in your Dropbox
- Copy your Fakturky database folder there
- Dropbox handles the sync
Critical Warning
Never have Fakturky open on multiple devices when using cloud sync! If you sync a database file that's actively being written to by another instance of Fakturky, you will corrupt your data. Always close Fakturky on one device before opening on another.
Method 3: Syncthing — The "Own Your Cloud" Solution
Syncthing is like having your own private cloud. It syncs files directly between your devices using peer-to-peer technology, encrypted, with no middleman server storing your data. This is what we use internally at Fakturky.
How to Set Up Syncthing
- Install Syncthing on all devices you want to sync (desktop, laptop, home computer)
- Add your Fakturky database folder as a shared folder on each device
- Syncthing will automatically sync changes in real-time
- Set up encryption if desired (optional but recommended)
Why Syncthing Rocks
- ✓ No middleman — your data flows directly device-to-device
- ✓ Encrypted by default — nobody can intercept your sync
- ✓ Works offline — sync happens when devices connect, no cloud required
- ✓ Real-time sync — changes propagate instantly
- ✓ Free and open-source
But Consider
- ✗ Requires initial setup
- ✗ Both devices need to be online to sync
- ✗ More technical than simple cloud folders
Method 4: Network Storage (NAS)
If you have a NAS (Network Attached Storage) at home or office — like a Synology or QNAP — this is the ultimate backup solution. Your data never leaves your building, but it's still accessible from multiple computers.
- Mount your NAS as a network drive on your computer
- Point Fakturky to use the NAS folder as its data location (advanced: may require symbolic link or configuration change)
- Or simply copy your Fakturky folder to NAS regularly
NAS Gotcha
Network drives can be slower than local storage. If Fakturky feels sluggish when using a NAS folder, consider keeping the database local and just copying backups to NAS instead.
The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy
Here's a professional backup strategy that balances convenience with safety:
Tier 3: Off-site Backup
Cloud storage or remote server. Protects against disaster (fire, theft).
Tier 2: On-site Backup
NAS or external drive. Protects against hardware failure.
Tier 1: Primary
Your computer where you actually work.
How to Restore From Backup
When disaster strikes, here's how to get your data back:
- Close Fakturky completely (make sure it's not running in background)
- Locate your backup database file
- Copy it to your Fakturky data folder, replacing the corrupted file
- Restart Fakturky — your data should be restored
Pro tip: Keep a naming convention for backups like "fakturky_backup_2026-03-01.db" so you can easily find the right version when you need to restore.
Your Backup Checklist
Sleep Better Tonight
Losing your invoice data is a freelancer's nightmare. Clients calling. Projects disrupted. Revenue untracked. It's the kind of stress that keeps you up at night.
With Fakturky's local-first approach, you get full control over your data — and that includes control over how you back it up. Whether you choose simple USB sticks, cloud storage, Syncthing, or a NAS — the important thing is that you have a backup strategy.
"There are two kinds of people in the world: those who have lost data, and those who will." — Don't be the second one.