How do I restore automation.yaml from a backup?

Configuration
1

I accidentally deleted an automation and I’m trying to restore it from my home assistant backup. I downloaded the backup and it appears to be a nested archive:

backup.tar → homeassistant.tar.gz → homeassistant.tar → homeassistant

That homeassistant file is a 600MB file with no extension. I have tried treating it as an archive with 7 zip, but 7 zip says it’s not an archive. Also tried using the tar command in the CLI, still no go.

My home assistant does use encryption key, but at no point did 7 zip ask me for one. What am I missing?

2

My config structure from HA shows up under automatic_backup_2025_12_5.tar\homeassistant.tar.gz\homeassistant.tar\data\

This is an auto backup stored locally. No encryption.

3

I think it has to do with encryption… I’m just restoring the whole backup within home assistant. Oh well…

4

If you would have given it a bit more time here we could have told you you can get an unencrypted copy of the backup using a tool (and I think also from the UI).

1 Like
5

What is the tool? Would be good to know for future use. Google didn’t turn up much.

6

This one links to two others too:

1 Like
7

Glad you found a solution that worked for you. Restoring to seperate media and getting the individual file from there may have been a choice also.

Looking at the bigger picture:

Is the restore documentation and functionality from HomeAssistant inadequate? In times of duress where you have lost something and are desperate… Disaster recovery.

Should there be an example to follow? Step by step?

If so, please raise this issue where it can be improved so others can benefit also.

Use the ‘Provide feedback’ choice at the bottom of the official guide at Common tasks - installation independent - Home Assistant

After all, no point in doing any backup if you canmot restore from it.

[Vatican bank motto: Jesus saves, so should you!]

8

Yes if you download directly from the Backup integration GUI then it will decrypt the backup before downloading.