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How to Back Up Synology Package Settings and Data Before an Update

Use Hyper Backup before a DSM or package update, check package-specific coverage, and export a separate .dss file if you also need DSM system settings.
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Before updating DSM or a Synology package, run a Hyper Backup task that includes the supported package and any shared folders it depends on, then confirm the task completed. Package coverage differs, so check the package’s own Synology Help page. If you also want DSM system settings, export a separate .dss configuration file; it is not a substitute for a package-data backup.

Back up packages and their data with Hyper Backup

  1. In DSM, open Hyper Backup and create a data backup task, or edit an existing task.
  2. Choose a destination, such as a local shared folder, USB storage, another Synology NAS, or a supported cloud destination. Confirm in DSM that your destination is available and compatible.
  3. Select the shared folders and files you need to recover. In the applications or packages selection step, also select the package if it is listed as a backup option.
  4. Open the package’s current Synology Help page and check what its backup includes and excludes. Do not assume every package is supported or that selecting a package captures every item it uses.
  5. Run the task before updating. Confirm that it finishes successfully; Hyper Backup also provides an integrity-check function for backup data.

When a supported application is selected, Hyper Backup also backs up related shared folders, according to Synology’s Folders and Packages Backup help. Review the task’s source list to make sure folders containing important package data are covered, whether through package selection or explicit folder selection.

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Check what the package backup actually contains

Package-specific Help documentation defines the limits. For example, Synology says Hyper Backup can restore Download Station settings and data. Its documented coverage includes package configuration, RSS feeds, items and filters, the eMule server list, BT/HTTP/FTP/NZB and eMule tasks, and self-installed plugins. Search results and certain user accounts and passwords used for NZB, file-hosting, or BT search are excluded. See Synology’s Download Station backup and restoration help; those details apply to Download Station, not automatically to other packages.

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Synology notes that some packages do not support Hyper Backup backup and restoration. If a package is unavailable in the task’s selection list or its Help page does not describe backup support, plan to reinstall and configure it manually as needed. Synology’s migration guidance states that packages backed up on a newer DSM version cannot be restored to an earlier DSM version in the documented migration scenario.

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Export DSM settings separately if needed

A DSM configuration export is a separate safeguard for supported system settings, including users, groups, shared folders, and file-service settings. In DSM, go to Control Panel > Update & Restore > Configuration Backup and export the configuration. DSM 7 and later migration guidance describes the exported file as .dss.

The .dss export does not contain package data, and it does not include the homes shared folder or its data. Back up that folder through Hyper Backup if it matters to your recovery plan. See Synology’s Configuration Backup help.

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Choose a destination and backup format

Option Useful when Trade-off or check
USB drive or local storage You want a destination physically separate from the NAS; Synology documents external storage as a Hyper Backup destination. Keep the drive accessible for recovery and ensure it has enough capacity for the selected folders, packages, and intended versions. No universal capacity or drive model is established.
Remote Synology NAS You can send the backup over a network to another NAS. Network and destination access are needed for backup and restore. Synology documents remote NAS backup; confirm destination requirements in DSM.
Cloud destination You want a remote copy without maintaining a second local NAS. Availability and requirements depend on the selected destination. Synology documents public-cloud destinations and describes whole-NAS backup to C2 Storage with an Advanced Plan; confirm current requirements in DSM.
Multi-version .hbk You want retained backup versions managed by Hyper Backup. Restore or browse it with Hyper Backup, Hyper Backup Explorer, or Hyper Backup Vault. Do not rename the .hbk repository.
Single-version copy You prefer one copy in original file formats. It does not provide the same multi-version history as an .hbk task.

Hyper Backup’s documented maximum is 65,535 retained versions, but that is a product capability—not a recommended retention setting. Choose a practical version count and keep enough destination space for it. See Synology’s Hyper Backup overview.

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Restore after an update problem

  1. Open Hyper Backup and start the restore workflow for the relevant task.
  2. Choose the backup version, then select the system configuration, folders, and packages you want to restore. Synology’s restore instructions describe this selection process.
  3. Review the restore summary before proceeding. Files at conflicting paths can be overwritten by restored files.
  4. If the task is encrypted, provide the password or encryption key. Keep destination credentials and access details available as well.
  5. Check whether any unsupported or unrestored packages need manual installation and configuration.

Do not rely on restoring packages to an earlier DSM version as a downgrade strategy: Synology’s migration guidance warns that packages backed up on a newer DSM version cannot be restored to an earlier one in the documented scenario.

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