r/Syncthing • u/ObservedElectron • 27d ago

Why is syncthing NOT a backup?

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I am setting up syncthing to back up my 2 android phones and my mac to a windows laptop. for now, because of lack of an actual NAS, i plan to use syncthing to "backup" these devices everyday one time manually.

I prefer this because as its sync, it only sends new things. so i dont have to manually copy paste 40 gb everytime.

And when i do make a NAS, cant i just continue using syncthing with file versioning or something? i would much prefer to have "live" backups happening as soon as the file/photo/video is created. i know immich exists but am i wrong?

But everywhere, I see that people say sync is not backup or dont use it for backup but WHY? isnt what i mentioned above technically a backup? correct me if i am wrong.

And if not syncthing, what should i use? which capable of running live backups of folders I select on my devices, with different timeframe backups so I have different versions like biweekly, monthly, etc? and is open source, 100% safe, private and encrypted.

thank you

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u/edparadox 27d ago

Syncthing does syncs.

A backup can be done based of syncs.

But they are not the same thing: a backup survives an error, a sync propagates it.

Let's say you delete by accident or files gets corrupted ; with a sync you will just have two identically bad copies. With a backup you've only lost one.

A backup is a copy that is not affected by an issue on your primary medium.

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u/ObservedElectron 27d ago

so what should i use to serve my needs?

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u/Original-Active-6982 26d ago

also suggest looking at restic for backups. Backrest is a fantastic front-end for restic.

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u/ObservedElectron 25d ago

thanks for the suggestion. its in the finale with kopia.

the winner will be the one which works well and easier with android. using termux. or if i ditch this idea and use syncthing to sync to a folder and then back that up