Back Up, Export, and Move Your Data

Local Waifu offers three different data operations. They are not interchangeable.

Operation	Contains	Best use	Can it restore the whole app automatically?
Make a backup	Snapshot of the Local Waifu app data directory, including database, soul files, history, and settings	Recovery copy before an update or support-assisted restore	No. Version 1.7.3 has no complete Restore UI.
Export Conversations	Chat-message records in JSON	Reading, archiving, or processing messages	No; there is no general conversation-import control in this panel
Character export	One character plus related messages, memories, relationship data, and knowledge	Supported self-service transfer to another installation	Imports as a new character; it is not a full-app restore

Create a full backup snapshot

Goal

Create a consistent copy of the Local Waifu application data before a major update, reset, repair, or computer migration.

Before you start

• Choose a destination outside the Local Waifu data directory, preferably another drive or a synced backup location.
• Make sure the destination has enough free space.
• A full backup can contain private conversations, images, voice references, settings, and secrets. Store it securely.

Steps

1. Open Settings → Advanced.
2. Review Data health. Resolve a reported integrity problem before relying on a new backup.
3. Under Backup & safety, find Make a backup.
4. Select Choose folder.
5. Pick an existing destination folder outside Local Waifu’s app data directory.
6. Wait until the row reports Saved, a file count, and a total size.
7. In the destination, confirm that a new folder named local-waifu-backup-<timestamp> exists.
8. Copy the backup to a second protected location if it is your only recovery copy.

Expected result

Local Waifu creates a timestamped folder and a consistent SQLite snapshot. Temporary SQLite WAL/SHM files are not required in the backup.

If something goes wrong

• If the app reports that the destination overlaps Local Waifu’s data directory, choose another folder or drive.
• If the copy stops, check free space and destination permissions, then use Backup again.
• Do not judge success only by the folder’s existence; confirm the in-app file count and size.

Restore warning: Local Waifu 1.7.3 does not provide a complete Restore backup button or automated full-backup import. Do not copy a backup over the live data directory while the app is running. For full restoration, quit the app and obtain a version-appropriate support procedure. A manual replacement may fail if encryption or machine-bound data no longer matches.

Export all conversations

Goal

Save chat messages as a JSON file for archive or analysis.

Before you start

This export is not a backup. It does not include the complete character, memories, soul files, models, credentials, or settings, and the same panel has no general import function for this file.

Steps

1. Open Settings → Advanced → Data Export.
2. Select Export Data beside Export Conversations.
3. Choose a new .json filename and location outside the Local Waifu data directory.
4. Wait for Saved!.
5. Keep the file private; message content is readable JSON.

Expected result

A file named like localwaifu-export-YYYY-MM-DD.json contains the exported message records.

If something goes wrong

• Choose an absolute path ending in .json.
• Do not select the Local Waifu data directory.
• Choose a new name; the exporter refuses to overwrite an existing export.

Move a character to another computer

Goal

Use the supported character export/import path for a self-service migration.

Before you start

• This transfers the exported character and related messages, memories, relationship data, and knowledge.
• It does not transfer installed models, provider keys, connected accounts, the Telegram token/pairing, app-level preferences, or the Direct license activation.
• The imported character is created as a new character; it does not overwrite an existing one.

Steps

1. On the old computer, open Settings → Characters.
2. Export the character and save the generated .json file.
3. Transfer that file securely to the new computer.
4. Install and complete onboarding in Local Waifu on the new computer.
5. Open Settings → Characters and import the character JSON.
6. Confirm the reported counts for messages, memories, and knowledge entities.
7. Reinstall the required chat, embedding, image, and voice models.
8. Re-enter cloud API keys or reconnect accounts.
9. Configure Telegram again with Settings → Telegram.
10. If using the Direct edition, deactivate the old device before disposal and activate the license on the new computer.
11. Continue using the imported character while the app rebuilds embeddings.

Expected result

A new character appears with the exported history and character-related data. Semantic recall improves as embeddings are rebuilt during continued use.

If something goes wrong

• Import failed means the JSON is damaged or incompatible; export it again from the source installation.
• If memory retrieval is temporarily weaker, allow time for embedding reconstruction and keep the required memory model installed.
• If you need complete app recovery rather than a character transfer, preserve the full backup and contact support. There is no complete Restore UI in 1.7.3.

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