# Saving Files to the Cloud

You can save projects and feature exports to many popular cloud storage providers in a few simple steps that we'll walk through below:

1. For cloud storage providers other than iCloud, download the app to your device. Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box all have mobile apps for iOS.
2. Add the provider as an available Location in the sidebar of the Files app.
3. Export your project or folder with the "Save to Files" option and select your cloud storage location.

### Downloading the right app

For the first step, if you're using iCloud on an iOS device then there's no need to download anything, this is supported natively on your device. For other providers, you need to download their mobile app, which will enable the Files app on your device to make it an option when saving files. Here are links to some of the main provider's apps:

* [Microsoft OneDrive](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-onedrive/id477537958)
* [Google Drive](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-drive/id507874739)
* [Box](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/box-the-content-cloud/id290853822)
* [Dropbox](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dropbox-file-photo-storage/id327630330)

### Adding your cloud storage provider to the Files app

Once you've downloaded the correct app, the next step is to make sure that the Files app knows to show you that provider as an option when saving a new file.

Open the Files app on your device. If you're on iPad, tap the three dots on the left sidebar, and then tap "Edit Sidebar":

<figure><img src="https://1655252264-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LjOYqRQStlw99hJWjA4%2Fuploads%2FaZ0ucyQmMyXElgcoFNkS%2Fipad-edit-sidebar.jpeg?alt=media&#x26;token=99ae572f-d91d-4cdb-bb15-32b0c83eddf3" alt="A screenshot of the Files app on an iPad device, indicating where to tap to edit the available locations."><figcaption><p>The Files app shows you which locations are available for browsing and saving files</p></figcaption></figure>

If you're on an iPhone, first navigate to the Browse tab, and if you're looking inside a folder, tap the back arrow until you get to the top-level browse screen and then tap the tree dots in the top right corner, and then "Edit":

<figure><img src="https://1655252264-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LjOYqRQStlw99hJWjA4%2Fuploads%2FSwO17xhEGYv1LHKvkz2Z%2Fiphone-edit-folders.jpeg?alt=media&#x26;token=00f10ec8-cc98-4fe3-aea8-f356b4b21af4" alt="A screenshot of the Files app on an iPhone device, indicating where to tap to edit the available locations." width="563"><figcaption><p>On the iPhone, there's an extra couple of steps to get to the first Browse screen.</p></figcaption></figure>

After tapping Edit, you should see your cloud provider listed under "Locations" with the toggle either on or off. If the toggle is already on, there's nothing else to do. If it's off, toggle it on.

<figure><img src="https://1655252264-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LjOYqRQStlw99hJWjA4%2Fuploads%2FvP3o69KOylo4MrzbS2iI%2Fipad-edit-locations.jpeg?alt=media&#x26;token=49546aeb-c678-457b-a9a4-562e4983e0c8" alt="A screenshot of the Files app opened on an iPad device, showing the app in Location Edit mode and Google Drive enabled as a location."><figcaption><p>Cloud providers enabled for saving and loading files have a green toggle in the Files app's Locations</p></figcaption></figure>

### Export your file or folder and save it to the cloud drive

Once your cloud storage provider has been enabled in the Files app, all that's left to do is export your project or folder and save it in the right location.

Once you've selected your export type and you're presented with the "Share Options" screen, select "Save to Files":

<figure><img src="https://1655252264-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LjOYqRQStlw99hJWjA4%2Fuploads%2FG4QRQ7Aegz3AUdPCbUI8%2Fsave-to-files.jpeg?alt=media&#x26;token=a2165377-8915-43bd-80a9-bc5f0a94fc71" alt="A screenshot of the Touch GIS app opened on an iPad device, displaying the Share menu options after selecting an export type."><figcaption><p>Instead of sharing with a messaging or mail app, select Save to Files.</p></figcaption></figure>

Then, in the File Browser window, navigate to the top level view that shows available locations, select your cloud storage provider, and select your save location:

<figure><img src="https://1655252264-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LjOYqRQStlw99hJWjA4%2Fuploads%2FE9GgIJrsf6kZDy3Ch8XX%2FiPhone-browse-locations.jpeg?alt=media&#x26;token=b4d2740b-22a9-455b-a251-ca0d6f59e00d" alt="A screenshot of the File Browser app on an iPhone device, browsing for a location to save the Touch GIS export. Google Drive is available, with an arrow pointing to it." width="563"><figcaption><p>You'll now see your enabled cloud storage provders as save location options.</p></figcaption></figure>

That's all there is to it!

### Restoring your backup or importing a shared file

If you need to restore the backup or load in a shared file, you can now use the cloud storage provider in the same way as you did above. Simply follow the [import process](https://docs.touchgis.app/import-export/importing-files) and locate the file within the cloud storage provider location.

Having trouble or wondering about other cloud storage providers? Reach out to let us know: <support@touchgis.app>.


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