Dropbox Sync
A Hass.io add-on that automatically backs up snapshots and local files to Dropbox for disaster recovery.
What is Dropbox Sync?
Dropbox Sync is a Hass.io add-on that automatically backs up Home Assistant snapshots and local files to Dropbox. It solves the problem of data loss by providing off-site storage for critical backups, ensuring recovery options in case of hardware failure. The add-on integrates with Home Assistant's service system, allowing users to automate uploads via scripts or scheduled automations.
Home Assistant users running Hass.io who want to secure their snapshots and local files with off-site backups to Dropbox. It's ideal for those who prioritize data redundancy and automation in their smart home setups.
Developers choose Dropbox Sync for its seamless integration with Home Assistant automations, configurable local cleanup options, and reliable use of the Dropbox-Uploader script. It offers a lightweight, self-hosted backup solution without requiring complex setup or external services.
Overview
Back up your Hass.io snapshots and other local files to Dropbox
Use Cases
Best For
- Automating regular backups of Home Assistant snapshots to Dropbox
- Freeing up local storage by deleting old snapshots after cloud upload
- Backing up specific file types (e.g., images, logs) from the Hass.io /share directory
- Ensuring disaster recovery for Home Assistant configurations and data
- Integrating backup triggers with Home Assistant automations or scripts
- Self-hosting backup solutions without relying on proprietary cloud services
Not Ideal For
- Users with Home Assistant installations not on Hass.io (e.g., Docker or supervised setups)
- Those needing backups to cloud services other than Dropbox (like Google Drive or AWS S3)
- Environments requiring fully automated, scheduled backups without manual service call integration
Pros & Cons
Pros
Seamlessly triggers uploads via Home Assistant service calls, enabling easy automation through scripts or schedules, as detailed in the usage section.
Configurable 'keep_last' option deletes older local snapshots after upload, freeing up storage while keeping recent backups, as mentioned in the configuration.
Supports uploading arbitrary file types from the /share directory based on extensions like jpg|png, providing versatility beyond snapshots.
Skips uploading snapshots already in the target Dropbox path, avoiding redundancy and saving bandwidth, as noted in the usage description.
Cons
Requires generating a Dropbox OAuth token manually via the Dropbox Web UI, which can be cumbersome and error-prone for non-technical users.
Exclusively relies on Dropbox for cloud storage, lacking native integration with other popular services like Google Drive or OneDrive.
Backups depend on service calls with a repository hash identifier (e.g., 7be23ff5), adding unintuitive steps and potential for misconfiguration, as explained in the README.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
Hass.io Google Drive BackupAutomatically create and sync Home Assistant backups into Google Drive
Node-REDNode-RED - Home Assistant Community Apps
zigbee2mqttHass.io add-on for zigbee2mqtt
AdGuard HomeAdGuard Home - Home Assistant Community Apps
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