How to Backup and Restore Termux Data, Plugins & Packages

Hello everyone! We hope you are enjoying What is Termux and its many capabilities. However, while experimenting with various tools, you might encounter bugs that force you to clear app data. When this happens, you lose all your installed tools, plugins, and packages.

To solve this, I will share a trick to backup all your Termux data and tools to your phone's internal storage, allowing you to restore them anytime. It is highly recommended to perform backups regularly, especially before uninstalling the app or testing new Basic Termux Commands.

Why You Need a Termux Backup

• Keeps your environment bug-free by allowing clean restores.
• Prevents the loss of important Termux tools.
• Saves time by not having to reinstall essential Basic Packages Termux needs.
• Protects against accidental uninstalls.
• Allows safe migration when changing repository sources.

Note: Ensure you understand these commands before execution. Incorrect usage could lead to data corruption.

How to Backup Termux Data

In this example, we will archive the home and usr (sysroot) directories. The backup will be stored in your shared storage (/sdcard) and compressed with gzip.

Step 1: Grant Storage Permission

Run the following command and accept the Android prompt:

termux-setup-storage

Step 2: Navigate to Base Directory

Move to the Termux system files directory:

cd /data/data/com.termux/files

Step 3: Create the Backup

Run this command to generate the archive:

tar -zcf /sdcard/termux-backup.tar.gz home usr

The process should finish without errors. Warnings regarding "sockets" are normal and can be ignored.

Warning: Never store backups inside Termux private directories (like /data/data/com.termux). If you clear the app data from Android settings, these directories are deleted immediately.

How to Restore Termux Data

This process assumes you have the termux-backup.tar.gz file in your /sdcard. Note that all current files will be overwritten.

Step 1: Grant Storage Permission

termux-setup-storage

Step 2: Go to Base Directory

cd /data/data/com.termux/files

Step 3: Extract the Backup

Use this command to extract and overwrite current data:

tar -zxf /sdcard/termux-backup.tar.gz --recursive-unlink --preserve-permissions

Once finished, close Termux by typing exit or using the notification exit button, then restart the app.

Conclusion

Backing up Termux is essential for maintaining a stable, lag-free environment. For more advanced tutorials, check out our guide on What is Metasploit Framework or learn to Install ZPhisher on Termux.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I backup Termux data regularly?

Regular backups help prevent data loss caused by app bugs, accidental uninstalls, or errors that require clearing app data.

Where is the Termux backup file stored?

In this guide, the backup is stored on your phone's internal storage (shared storage) as /sdcard/termux-backup.tar.gz.

What command grants Termux access to phone storage?

Use the command 'termux-setup-storage' to grant the necessary permissions to access your SD card or internal memory.

Will restoring data overwrite my current Termux files?

Yes, the restoration process using tar will overwrite existing files in the home and usr directories.

Can I backup Termux to an SD Card?

Yes, provided you have the correct path to your external storage, you can modify the destination path in the tar command.