Back up your data and switch to a new device

What syncs to your account

Your workspace files, folders, recordings, installed apps, and the data those apps keep sync across your devices through the cloud. Local copies remain on each device until you delete them. You can read more about how storage works in the KolHive cloud drive guide and how KolHive protects your files.

For example, when Maya Chen saves client-notes.txt in her workspace on her Mac in Toronto, it syncs to her account. She sees that file and her installed apps when she signs in on her Windows laptop. For any file, folder, or app, you can choose to keep it in the cloud, keep it on this device only, or stream it on demand. You can also exclude specific file types from syncing.

To pause syncing for a specific item, right-click or long-press it and select Stop syncing. The item appears grayed out as not synced, and KolHive discards any partial upload or download. When you choose to resume syncing from the same menu, the transfer restarts from the beginning.

How recordings are saved while you record

While you record in KolWrite, the app writes your recording to your device in 15-second pieces. If the app closes, a call comes in, or your battery dies, the pieces recorded up to that moment are recovered on every platform. The recovered recording appears the next time you open the app.

At the same time, KolWrite backs up audio pieces live to your cloud account over Wi-Fi or mobile data by default. Video and screen recordings back up over Wi-Fi only. If you turn on the Wi-Fi-only switch, or use device settings such as Low Data Mode or Data Saver, live backup waits for a Wi-Fi connection.

When your device has no network connection or your cloud storage is full, new recordings continue saving locally on your device. For example, Daniel Wright can record a lecture on his iPad while riding a train to Manchester with no signal. Once his iPad reconnects or he frees up cloud storage space, the recording backs up to his account and becomes available on his other devices.

Set up a new phone or computer

One free KOL account signs you in to KolHive, KolWrite and KolChat on every device where you use them.

1. Install KolHive on your new device, or open web.kolhive.com in a browser.
2. Sign in to the same KOL account using your email and password, your Google account, or Sign in with Apple on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
3. Keep the app open with an active network connection while your synced workspace files, recordings, installed apps, and app data arrive.

You should now see your synced folders, recordings, and apps in your workspace.

Move your KolChat history

KolChat messages are not stored in your standard KolHive cloud workspace because they use end-to-end encryption. Signing in to your KOL account on a new device does not restore your chat history. For full step-by-step instructions, see how to move KolChat to a new phone.

If you still have your old device, you can approve the new device from it. Your chat history then transfers directly from your existing device over an encrypted connection. Disappearing messages whose timer has already expired are not restored.

You can also turn on optional encrypted chat backups in KolChat, which are off by default. You can schedule backups to run daily or weekly over Wi-Fi by default, and optionally include up to 400 MB of media in one backup. Before the backup is stored, your device seals it using Argon2id with a password you choose (at least 8 characters) or a 64-digit key generated by the app.