Where does Deja-dup keep its config files?

Question

Deja-dup (now Ubuntu Backup) is just a GUI for duplicity, therefore it should store the config files somewhere. I would like to changed the backup volume size to something like 300MB and the increase the --full-if-older-than variable. is this possible?

Solution 1

This has changed in various Déjà Dup versions, but I believe it is currently at:

~/.gconf/apps/deja-dup/

What can't you change using the GUI front-end?

UPDATE

from: launchpad.net: How do I also backup my deja Dup settings?

The settings used to be stored there, and the files are still present.

In more recent version they are stored in:

~/.config/dconf

Solution 2

The deja-dup settings can also be changed with dconf-editor in the dconf-tools apt package. The settings are in org.gnome.DejaDup.

Solution 3

Instead of using dconf-editor, you can use gsettings from command line.

• See all the options (keys) within the Deja-Dup schema, and their configurations:

  gsettings list-recursively org.gnome.DejaDup
  

• Edit keys:

  gsettings set SCHEMA [:PATH] KEY VALUE
  

  For example:

  gsettings set org.gnome.DejaDup include-list ['$HOME']
  

Solution 4

fwiw, added a dconf setting if you build this from source, it will create a volsize setting in org.gnome.DejaDup. you can change it to 500mb with dconf-editor.

patched source code for deja-dup

View more solutions

Comments

[Admin]

At least in Ubuntu 16.04 it's not in ~/.config/dconf or ~/.gconf/apps/deja-dup/*, and for those searching for the dconf-editor you must look for SETTINGS EDITOR instead. It might be interesting for the ASKUbuntu Community to try to apply rules of OpenSource Community Philosophy, which means declare obsoleted or need to being confirm when a new version of Ubuntu is on.

[ECII]

I'd like to increase the volume size and be more conservative with full backups (once every 6 months or so). I checked the location you mention but I cannot find where this parameters are kept. Any ideas?

[david6]

Systems Settings >> Backup, last tab: 'Schedule'

[david6]

The settings are in file '~/.gconf/apps/deja-dup/%conf.xml', but that is only for experts.

[ECII]

So you cant change the volume size limit and the full backup time?

[david6]

These are more likely to be settings in scripts (for Duplicity) that are used by Déjà Dup. see: live.gnome.org/DejaDup/HowItWorks OR help.ubuntu.com/community/DuplicityBackupHowto (I would need to do more research to answer better.)

[david6]

Check the directory, or copy all files (and sub-directories). There is more than one settings file.

[seb]

yes there are more files. I've copied all of them but my settings are not 100% the same as on the old machine?

[david6]

Changed, in Answer.

[FGM]

The UI is inconvenient at best: it is very small and not resizable (12.04), and does not expose .* files/directories, many of which contain big caches or logs not needing to be backed up.

[DavidO]

Great answer, though caution: Opening the "Backups" app in Ubuntu and closing it again may cause some settings to revert. For example, using the dconf-editor I set backups to be kept at least 90 days (instead of the minimum available in the GUI app of 6 months). When I opened the app, it showed 90 days. But when I closed it and re-opened, it had reverted to 6 months.

[Jack Miller]

Amazing, the volume size of backup files is hardcoded! bazaar.launchpad.net/~peter-bsqt/deja-dup/volsize/revision/1‌​548/…. So the answer to the actual question is: No, there is no config option.

[Admin]

there is nothing there for me. I'm using Ubuntu 18.04

[Admin]

I get: No such schema “org.gnome.DejaDup” when trying those commands, on Ubuntu 18.04

[Admin]

@LostCrotchet if you find them, please propose an edit or comment here and I'll edit the answer.