To back up Procreate files, you must manually export them as .procreate files because the app does not provide automatic iCloud syncing. This manual process preserves your layer information, settings, and Time-Lapse Replay data, ensuring you can fully restore your artwork later.
How to back up Procreate files the right way
Backing up Procreate files is a manual export process, not an automatic sync. Procreate does not offer built-in iCloud syncing for your artwork. The goal of a proper backup is to preserve every layer, setting, and Time-Lapse Replay so you can restore your work exactly as you left it. You achieve this by exporting your canvases in the Procreate format and saving them to a location you control.
The essential manual backup workflow
The core method for backing up your artwork follows a documented path in the Procreate app. This workflow ensures you capture all your Procreate tools, layers and file management details in a single, reimportable file.
- Open the Gallery in Procreate.
- Tap Select at the top of the screen.
- Tap the canvases or Stacks you want to back up.
- Tap Share.
- Choose Procreate as the export format. This preserves layer information, settings, and Time-Lapse Replay.
- When the share sheet appears, tap Save to Files.
- Choose a destination such as iCloud Drive or On My iPad.
Saving your backup to iCloud Drive
Saving to iCloud Drive gives you access to your backed-up .procreate files across your Apple devices. After tapping Save to Files, select iCloud Drive from the Locations list on the left. If you do not see iCloud Drive, tap the Ellipsis icon, then tap Edit Locations, and enable iCloud Drive. This makes it a visible destination for your exported files. You may need to tap Ellipsis > Edit Locations in the Files sheet to make cloud services visible. Remember, this is a manual copy, not an automatic sync.
Saving a local backup on your iPad
Keeping a local copy on your iPad ensures you have a backup even without an internet connection. In the Save to Files sheet, choose On My iPad from the Locations list. This saves the exported .procreate file directly to your device's local storage. Procreate also documents saving to local storage through the iPadOS share sheet after export. You can later move this file to a computer or another cloud service using the Files app.
A faster way: drag and drop to back up
For a quicker backup, you can use drag and drop on your iPad. In the Gallery, tap Select and choose the artworks you want to back up. Hold your finger on the selected artworks until they lift, then swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Files app. Drop the selection directly into a folder in Files. The export uses the formats you have chosen in Settings > Apps > Procreate.
How to restore your Procreate files from a backup
Restoring your artwork is a simple reimport process. Open the Files app and navigate to the location where you saved your backup, such as iCloud Drive or On My iPad. Tap the .procreate file, and it will open in Procreate. The file will appear in your Gallery with all its layers, settings, and Time-Lapse Replay intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Procreate format save?
The Procreate format saves your artwork's layer information, settings, and Time-Lapse Replay. This ensures you can restore the file exactly as you left it, including all editable layers and the recorded replay of your drawing process.
Does Procreate have automatic iCloud sync?
No. Procreate and Procreate Pocket do not currently offer automatic iCloud syncing for your artwork. You must manually export and save your files to iCloud Drive or another location.
What are the benefits of manual backups?
Manual backups give you full control over where your files are stored and when they are saved. You are not dependent on a sync service that might overwrite or lose data. You can keep multiple versions of your work, store backups on different devices or cloud services, and restore your files on any iPad with Procreate installed.
