Easy Procreate Art Backup: 5 Methods to Never Lose Work

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 5 min read

Procreate is an artist's best friend, offering a digital canvas to effortlessly create stunning art pieces. Alas, like all digital creations, Procreate art pieces too are susceptible to accidents, crashes, or just plain forgetfulness. But fret not, for there are ways to ensure that your labor of love isn't lost to the ether. Here are five simple methods to help you understand how to backup Procreate art, so you never lose your work.

1. Use Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is a fantastic option for backing up your Procreate art. It provides a virtual storage space that you can access from anywhere, anytime. Let's walk through it.

Setting Up Cloud Storage

Choose a reliable cloud storage service, such as Google Drive or iCloud. Once you've chosen, create an account if you don't already have one, and set up a dedicated folder for your Procreate art backups. This way, you can easily locate your art pieces when you need them.

Automatic Backup in Cloud

Procreate allows for automatic backups, saving you the trouble of remembering to do it yourself. To set this up, go to your Procreate's settings, navigate to the "Prefs" tab, and then turn on "Automatic upload to iCloud". Now, every time you create or update an artwork, Procreate will automatically back it up to your iCloud.

Accessing Cloud Storage

Accessing your backed-up Procreate art from the cloud is a breeze. Simply log into your cloud storage account, navigate to the folder where you've stored your Procreate backups, and voila — all your art pieces are right there! Remember, you can access these from any device as long as you're logged into your cloud storage account. Now, you know how to backup Procreate art in the cloud.

2. Utilize External Hard Drives

External hard drives are another great way to backup your Procreate art. They can store large amounts of data and are perfect if you're creating high-resolution art pieces that take up a lot of space. Let's see how to use them effectively.

Choosing the Right Hard Drive

When it comes to choosing a hard drive, go for one that offers ample storage and is compatible with your device. Brands like Seagate and Western Digital offer a range of options. Remember, the larger the storage, the more Procreate art pieces you can backup.

Backing Up in Hard Drive

Backing up your Procreate art to a hard drive is pretty straightforward. Connect the hard drive to your device, open Procreate, and choose the 'Share' option for the artwork you want to backup. Select 'Save to files' and choose your connected hard drive as the location. Once you hit 'Save', your Procreate art is safely backed up. It's as easy as that!

Retrieving Art from Hard Drive

If you need to retrieve your art, connect the hard drive to your device and navigate to the location where you've saved your backups. Open the Procreate file you need, and you're good to go. This method is a reliable answer to 'how to backup Procreate' and guarantees that your art is safe and sound in your physical possession.

3. Sync with iTunes

iTunes isn't just for your favorite tunes; it can also serve as a haven for your Procreate art. Syncing with iTunes provides a convenient way to backup your Procreate files on your computer. Let's dive into how you can do it.

Connecting to iTunes

First, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. Connect your iPad or iPhone to your computer using a USB cable. Once connected, your device should appear in iTunes. If it's your first time connecting, you might need to trust your device.

Synchronizing Art with iTunes

Once your device is connected, click on the device icon, then select 'File Sharing' on the left sidebar. You'll see a list of apps that support file sharing, and Procreate should be one of them. Click on Procreate and drag your artwork files from the 'Procreate' documents section to a folder on your computer. This way, you've just created a backup of your Procreate art on your computer using iTunes.

Restoring Art from iTunes

Need to restore a Procreate file? No worries. Go to the 'File Sharing' section in iTunes, click on Procreate, and simply drag your file from your computer back to the 'Procreate' documents section. Once you disconnect your device and open Procreate, you'll find your artwork right where it belongs. Backing up Procreate using iTunes is a handy trick to have up your sleeve.

4. Try Procreate Pocket

Procreate Pocket is a version of Procreate designed specifically for your iPhone. It can be a great tool for backing up your Procreate art. Let's see how to use it.

Setting Up Procreate Pocket

First things first, download and install Procreate Pocket from the App Store. Once installed, open the app and allow it to access your photos. This way, you can import your artwork directly from your photo library.

Backing Up in Procreate Pocket

Now, to backup your Procreate art, simply open the piece you'd like to save, tap the wrench icon, then tap "Share" and choose "Procreate". This will save a copy of your artwork in the Procreate format, which you can then export to your desired location.

Accessing Art in Procreate Pocket

If you need to open a backed-up file, the process is just as simple. Go to the gallery, tap the plus sign at the top right, and choose "Import". Then, navigate to the location where you saved your backup, select your file, and voila! Your artwork is back.

Procreate Pocket is especially useful if you're on the go and don't want to lug around an iPad or a hard drive. Plus, it's a great way to ensure your work is always just a tap away.

5. Email Your Art to Yourself

You might be thinking, "Email, really?" But sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best. Emailing your artwork to yourself is a reliable and straightforward method to backup Procreate files. Let's break it down.

Preparing Art for Email

First up, you need to export your Procreate art in a file format that can be sent via email. A popular choice is .JPEG or .PNG for flattened images, or .PSD for layered files. To do this, open your artwork, tap the wrench icon, select "Share" and choose your preferred format.

Sending Art via Email

Once your file is ready, just compose a new email, attach your exported file, and send it to your own email address. It's a good idea to use a clear subject line like "Procreate Backup - Artwork Name". That way, you can easily find it in your inbox later.

Retrieving Art from Email

When you need to access your backup, simply open your email, download the file to your device and import it back into Procreate. And just like that, you have your art back!

Emailing your art to yourself might sound a bit old school, but it's a tried and true method. It's easy, fast, and requires no extra tools or apps. Plus, it gives you peace of mind knowing that your hard work is safely stored away.

If you're interested in learning more about Procreate and keeping your artwork safe, be sure to check out the workshop 'Procreate Basics: Making Digital Art' by Sameera Maruvada. This workshop will not only teach you the fundamentals of creating digital art using Procreate but also provide valuable tips and tricks for backing up your artwork, ensuring you never lose your precious creations.