We finally have a simple solution for backing up files on Linux

One of the hardest things about migrating to Linux has been finding a simple yet effective backup solution.

For the longest time, I've been relying on RAID and periodic rsync to keep me safe, which isn't the most ideal setup.

Recently however, I discovered Pika Backup, which has to be the most simple solution for backing up data on linux that I've found.

A big thank you to the maintainers of this package, they've done an exceptional job.

# Video Links

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00:00:00 Intro
00:00:46 Pika Backup
00:01:16 Setup
00:03:45 Repository Files
00:04:30 Creating an Archive
00:06:56 Restoring Files
00:09:04 Scheduling
00:10:00 Remotes & New machines
00:11:12 Advanced Features

[jimsmith]

This is one of the very best linux software tutorials I have ever seen. Very detailed but NO fluff and unnecessary "background music". Well done. earned a like and a sub

[TheBerlinFactor]

been running rsync/rsnapshot for like ~ 20 years on server. dropbox and syncthing for desktop/workstation. plus git for projects. never needed much of a desktop backup solution. but i recently started setting up linux desktops for friends & family TM. pika looks like the right tool there. thanks for creating great content!

[nico]

I was using Pika before watching this video for personal file backups and Timeshift for system snapshots

[Cokodayo]

How the hell do u have so few subscribers, This is some really high quality content. I really look forward to more of your vids!!

[tomschi]

*It's a real shame you can't find this great video if you google for Pika Backup* - or only if you're lucky. A title like this would be much better: *Pika Backup: We finally have a simple solution for backing up files on Linux*

[_nishantk_]

in kde systems there is KUP, which makes incremental backups and is integrated with the system itself. The behaviour of KUP is similar to file history in windows, it takes backup on the specified interval and auto detect if the specified drive is mounted or not, if not then it will not do anything and as soon as you connect your drive it automatically take a backup. the ease of use of KUP is identical to file history in windows. You can access kup in system settings in kde and setup multiple schedules if you like

[AntThinker]

Not only the topic is interesting. I'd like to acknowledge separately the level of video production with those blur and highlight effects. Does feel classy comparing to our usual YT Linux stuff videos (not that those are necessarily bad, but...). Geez, an instant subscription.

[herozero]

I have nothing setup at the moment and this is exactly what I was looking for. A life saver I must say.
I also love the open nature of the tool, that it has a simple side and also a full on complex side.

[rogerwilco]

TimeMachine is one of the most important reasons I still use OSX/MacOS. It has saved me twice, once restoring from to a completely replaced drive.
Not just my files but my full OS including all settings for printers, wifi and everything else.
It is simply brilliant, I really don’t understand why Windows and Linux don’t have something similar. It is from 2007, so it completely baffles me that no other OS has been able to create something similar in 17 years..

[bagfleet]

Great vid! Looking forward to the borg vid!

[MithatKonar]

I've been a happy Back In Time user for about a decade. It's rsync-based and a good balance of simplicity and features.

[frosty]

Hey just to let you know that Deja Dup Backup also existed for a long time and similar to this but this tool looks very awesome and probably way better/polished and advanced.

[oscs]

Another good Borg backup client is Vorta. You can exclude certain folders by making a .nobackup file under the folder.

[jc.baptiste]

Excellent tool and presentation.
I used Bjorg, but not with so much settings. This is far easier with Pika to achieve a full featured backup flow.

[blackcoffeerider]

I am using Vorta and it served me well - but pika looks a bit more polished for "simple setup and every day usage" for people who don't want to understand the inner workings of borg. I am happy that you covered it - I will just send anyone I find without a borg backup to watch this video in the future <3!
What I really dislike about Vorta is that it is very finnicky to setup multiple backup variants and schedules. I am looking at borgmatic at the moment and considering moving there but maybe Pika is "good enough" for my usecase?

[Hfil]

At present, simple does it. Straight forward bash scripts to rsync to a couple of ZFS repositories with snapshots before and after. It may not be the most elegent, but easy to understand, and has got me out of trouble more than a few times.

[Moolie-oduw]

Thank you muchly for all the learnings. Wishing your channel much success!

[vaidehikumar]

For so many months I have been facing same problem of not having a simple backup system thanks bro love your every video.❤️

[ryanvelbon]

1:08 "I'm using Arch btw" that was a cheeky flex

[anasouardini]

I'm a simple user, so this might be too simple, but I only use `rsync` and a bare git repository to backup my entire machine. A post-installation script will restore all of that along with installing packages in 30 minutes, I can reinstall my machine right now without the fear of losing anything.