Backups and iCloud Sync

Backups and iCloud Sync protect different parts of a Weather Fusion setup.

Station backups

A .wfdb backup is an explicit package containing one station’s local database and associated station metadata. It preserves stored observations and summaries at the time the package is created. Restoring a backup adds or merges compatible local station data after the user reviews the package. Weather Fusion updates the restored station’s summaries automatically after the restore finishes.

Backups are snapshots of the station database at creation time. They can be copied to external storage, retained in versioned locations, or opened on another device. Create a new backup after downloading more observations.

iCloud Sync

iCloud Sync exchanges supported configuration values between devices using the same iCloud account. It can keep provider selection, station configuration, units, dashboard layouts, the metric color palette, and compatible preferences aligned. The System, Light, or Dark display mode remains device-specific.

iCloud Sync exchanges supported settings. Weather Fusion backups move the station .wfdb package and historical observations between devices. Some provider authorization sessions can still require reconnection on the destination device.

Provider disconnection

Disconnecting a provider in Settings › Data Source stops updates from that provider and keeps saved stations and their local databases. Reconnecting resumes updates and continues from the stored history. See Disconnect a provider.

Storage optimization

Optimize Storage rewrites a station database in the current format to reduce its size. Observations and summaries are preserved, but older versions of Weather Fusion cannot open the optimized database or backups created from it afterwards. Keep a backup made before optimization when the data may need to be restored on a device that still runs an older version. See Optimize station storage.

Use both

Enable iCloud Sync for day-to-day configuration continuity. Create .wfdb backups before deleting data, performing major repairs, or moving important historical records. After restoring, keep Weather Fusion active while it updates the restored station’s summaries, then verify the observation range.