DaVinci Resolve Project Library Backup & Restore
With the release of Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve 20.3.2, there are significant bug fixes, such as support for lossless compressed raw still images from the Sony a7 IV on the color page. However, with every new software update comes a critical recommendation from the release notes: perform a complete project library backup and export individual projects for safekeeping.
While many of us are guilty of skipping this step, it is a simple process that ensures your hard work is safe. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to back up local, network, and cloud libraries in 2026.
Backing Up Local and Network Project Libraries
To perform a clean backup of your entire database (now called Project Libraries), you must first ensure no projects are currently open.
Close the Active Project
If you have a project open, you need to close it to get a clean backup.
Open the Project Manager by clicking the home icon or pressing Shift+1.
Right-click on the active project and select Close.
Create the Backup
Once the project is closed, follow these steps to generate the backup file:
In the Project Manager, click the icon to the left of "Projects" to reveal your project libraries.
Click the "i" (Details/Information) button next to the library you want to save.
Select Back Up.
Choose a save location (such as your desktop or cloud storage) and click Save.
The system will generate a .resolve.backup file. This file acts as a timestamped archive of your Postgres database server.
Restoring a Library
If you need to use this backup file later—for example, when moving computers—you use the Restore feature:
In the Project Manager, click the Restore button (a downward arrow icon next to the magnifying glass).
Select your
.resolve.backupfile.Rename the library (e.g., "2026 Restore") and click Create.
This will copy the data back into the correct Postgres locations.
Advanced Note for Network Databases: If you need to permanently delete a network database, simply clicking "Remove" in Resolve only hides it from the list. To actually delete the data, you must use a tool like pgAdmin. The default password for the DaVinci Resolve Project Server is DaVinci (Capital D, capital V).
Batch Exporting Individual Projects
In addition to the full library backup, it is recommended to export individual projects. In previous versions, you had to do this one by one, but modern versions allow for batch exporting.
Switch to List View in the Project Manager.
Lasso select all the projects you wish to back up.
Right-click and select Export Projects.
Choose a destination folder.
This process creates individual .drp (DaVinci Resolve Project) files. These files retain important metadata, such as creation dates, which helps with organization. To use them, you simply re-import them into a project library.
Critical Storage Advice
When managing your project libraries, where you store them is just as important as how you back them up.
Do NOT use Cloud Sync Services: Never place your live project library/database on services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud. The exception of course is using Blackmagic Cloud, on the cloud tab of the project manager.
Do NOT use External SSDs: Avoid putting project libraries on small external SSDs. If the cable gets unplugged while writing data, the database can become corrupted.
DO use Internal Drives: Always store your active project libraries on a secure internal drive that is permanently connected.
Backing Up Blackmagic Cloud Libraries
If you use Blackmagic Cloud to host your projects (which uses AWS servers), the backup process is handled through a web browser.
In the Project Manager, select your Cloud library.
Click the "i" (Information) button and select Backup.
This will open the Blackmagic Cloud website in your browser.
Navigate to the Backups tab on the right side and click Create Backup.
New Feature Alert: Blackmagic Cloud now includes Automatic Daily Backups that run right after midnight, so you likely already have recent backups waiting for you.
