First backup — Desktop app

This guide walks through the 4 steps to take your first backup with the PratikYedek desktop app. Estimated time: 5 minutes.

1. Download and install

• Windows: pratikyedek-setup-x64.exe (initial package: ~120 MB)
• macOS: pratikyedek-{x64,arm64}.dmg
• Linux: pratikyedek-x86_64.AppImage

Get the download links from the web panel: My Account → Devices → Download Desktop.

2. Sign in to your account

On first launch:

1. Enter email + password
2. Enter the SMS OTP code (6-digit code sent to your phone)
3. Enter your encryption key passphrase

Important — zero-knowledge: Your encryption key passphrase is stored only on your device. If you forget it, PratikYedek cannot recover it for you. Please save it in a secure password manager.

3. Select folders to back up

On the New Backup screen:

• Use Add folder to include the folders you want backed up
• Excludes: .git, node_modules, *.tmp and similar auto-excludes are already active
• Compression: zstd level 5 (default; balanced CPU/disk)
• Encryption: AES-256-GCM (default; KVKK § 12 compliant)

4. Start the backup

Click Back Up Now. Progress:

• 0–50 MB: hashing + chunking
• 50–100 MB: encryption
• After 100%: upload to server

When done, your backup appears in My Account → Backups with snapshot ID, size, and date.

Common situations

"Cannot reach server" error

• Check your internet connection
• Does your firewall/antivirus allow PratikYedek desktop?
• If a VPN is on, try disabling it

Slow backup

• The first backup uploads everything; subsequent backups run as diff (changed files only)
• Test your upload speed at My Account → Speed Test

Forgot backup passphrase

• Due to zero-knowledge architecture, PratikYedek cannot recover it
• You need to create a new encryption key and re-run the backup
• Old encrypted data becomes inaccessible

Next

→ Restore guide