# Download Backups

Cloudback allows you to download backups of your repositories to your local machine. This page will guide you through the process of downloading backups of your repositories.

## Downloading a Backup

To download a backup of your repository:

1. Open Cloudback Dashboard and navigate to the repository details page for the repository you want to download a backup for.
2. Open the `Backups` tab.
3. Locate the backup you want to download and click the `Download` icon to start the download.

![Download backup from backups list](https://2781059148-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEI7SjBF2CddqNXZpCoE%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-972ffd4e5dd41fe65da260aa821e175aaaeafcce%2Frepository-details-backups-tab.png?alt=media)

### Backup Download Dialog

After clicking the `Download` icon, Cloudback verifies the backup archive is available. If the archive is accessible, a download dialog appears. The dialog behavior depends on the storage type and encryption configuration:

**Instant download (Cloudback-managed and compatible storages):**

Click `Download now` to start the download directly from the dialog. If the backup is [password-protected](https://docs.cloudback.it/security-and-compliance/password-protected-archives), you will receive an email with the password after clicking `Download now`.

![Backup download dialog](https://2781059148-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEI7SjBF2CddqNXZpCoE%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-58b3af954452cf5e0b9c148f269afdf00ede69d7%2Fbackup-download-dialog.png?alt=media)

**Custom encryption with RSA Lockbox:**

If the backup is protected by an [RSA Lockbox](https://docs.cloudback.it/encryption-management/rsa-lockbox) encryption key, the download dialog prompts you to paste your RSA private key (PEM format). Cloudback decrypts the archive password in memory and discards your private key immediately - it is never stored. Enter your private key and click `Download now`.

**Customer-managed storages without instant download:**

Some customer-managed storage providers do not support instant downloads. In this case, the dialog shows a `Send Password` button - click it to receive the archive password via email, then download the archive directly from your own storage solution.

![Email with backup archive password](https://2781059148-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FQEI7SjBF2CddqNXZpCoE%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-02038433a3aac4c74683ad4e3e43d54d1dbe3f39%2Fbackup-password-email.png?alt=media)

## What if the backup archive file is deleted?

There are a few situations where a backup archive cannot be downloaded:

* The archive file has been removed from the storage
* The archive file has been moved to another location
* The storage is not available or is not accessible

In any of these cases, you will see an error: `Backup archive not found. Possible reasons: file moved/deleted or storage inaccessible.`

## Learn More

* [GitHub Backup Contents](https://docs.cloudback.it/github/backup-contents)
* [Password-Protected Archives](https://docs.cloudback.it/security-and-compliance/password-protected-archives)
* [Encryption Overview](https://docs.cloudback.it/encryption-management/encryption-overview)
* [Archive Name Pattern](https://docs.cloudback.it/managing-backups/archive-name-pattern)
* [Customer Managed Storages](https://docs.cloudback.it/storage-configuration/customer-managed-storages)