# Storage of data

Privary uses a persistent storage mechanism (Android only, iOS doesn't support that). The persistent mechanism ensures that you can uninstall and reinstall Privary whenever you like without files being deleted.

### Can I format my phone?

Yes, but [take a backup](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault). A phone reset removes all files from your storage and may also from a plugged in sd-card.

### What happens if I uninstall Privary?

**Android:** Your files persist. Reinstall Privary any time to login and view your Vault.

**iOS:** Files of an app are deleted by default when uninstalling. Don't confirm the warning message unless you've created a [backup](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault#create-a-encrypted-backup-file).

### Can I clean my phone storage from time to time?

Sure. Just ensure that you don't delete any file that is stored under the path *`.privary`*.

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Mind:** Cleaning tools are not intelligent. You may delete important files if you don't carefully check what will be deleted during a clean up.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Always take a [backup](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault) from time to time. [Manually](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault#create-a-encrypted-backup-file) or [automatically](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud).
{% endhint %}

### I've logged in but my Vault is empty

Think carefully about what you last did on your device because files cannot automatically disappear.

* Phone reset?
* Cleaning tool used?
* Removed or resetted the sd-card?
* Removed or renamed a folder on your phone?

{% hint style="info" %}
Privary protects your files and cannot delete anything without you giving the instruction. A file cannot disappear automatically
{% endhint %}

If you had the [Cloud](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault#restore-from-the-cloud) active, easily [restore](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault#restore-from-the-cloud). Otherwise it's required to find out what you did in order to restore. If you have used a cleaning tool and didn't check what is deleted during the clean up, send a mail to the support of the cleaning tool. They may have a fallback to restore files.

For the case you stored your Vault on the sd-card and pulled that out for some reason, simply [reimport](https://docs.privary.me/use-the-sd-card#reimport-for-the-sd-card).

Just in case you have removed a folder from your phone using a file manager, that was maybe the Privary data folder. Restore that somehow if you didn't have used any Privary [backup](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault) option.

If you have reseted your device a [backup file](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault#restore-from-a-backup-file) or [Cloud backup](https://docs.privary.me/backup-your-vault#use-the-encrypted-cloud) is required in any case.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Mind:** Due to the persistent storage method of Privary, all data is preserved even after uninstallation. Files cannot delete themselves automatically.
{% endhint %}

#### Use the built-in search option

Start Privary and press on the Privary Logo at the top. Select the option *search for files* from the bottom and Privary will scan for all associated files and reimport them automatically.

**Mind:** This works only if the files have not been deleted manually or with cleaning tools. It's useful if you have moved the data folder *`.privary`* from it's original location accidentially.

## Restore data folder

You have a backup of the data folder *`.privary`* or the sub-folders *`.do_not_delete_1`* / *`.do_not_delete_2`*?

Place the folder *`.privary`* on your phone storage. Directly on the root - not inside a folder. Overwrite if required.

The backup is now recovered. Login to view the content. If you don't see anything after login, ensure that you have placed the data folder *`.privary`* in the right location and log in into the Main 

> Final path: Storage/.privary