How to install Tornova Backup on Ubuntu Linux
Install the .deb, enroll the computer from the command line, approve the folder on the website and start the service. Supported on Ubuntu 24.04 x64.
Requirements
The Linux Agent supports Ubuntu 24.04 on 64-bit Intel/AMD (x64) with systemd. It is installed and set up from the command line; there is no graphical app. The agent runs as a dedicated, unprivileged service user, not as root, and reads only the folder you approve.
- Ubuntu 24.04, x64, with systemd and sudo.
- A Tornova account (Standard Secure; accounts with client-side encryption are not supported).
- A folder to protect that exists on the computer.
Install the package
- Download TornovaBackup-Linux-amd64.deb from the Download page and compare its SHA-256 checksum.
- Install it with apt, which also installs the libraries the package needs: sudo apt install ./TornovaBackup-Linux-amd64.deb
- The installer creates a dedicated tornova service user. It never enrolls the computer and never starts the service by itself.
If apt prints a notice that the download was performed unsandboxed because the file is in your home folder, it is harmless; moving the file to /tmp first avoids it. After installing, nothing is backed up until you finish the enrollment steps below.
Enroll and approve a folder
- Give the tornova user read access only to the folder you want to protect.
- Enroll: sudo tornova-agent enroll --api https://YOUR-TORNOVA-SITE --username YOUR-USERNAME --folder /absolute/folder. You are prompted for your password and authenticator code, and for the account only if you belong to several; they are never typed on the command line. Run sudo tornova-agent enroll --help to see every option.
- Approve the folder in your Tornova account on the website (Backup page).
- Start the service: sudo systemctl enable --now tornova-agent.service
- Check it: sudo tornova-agent status
Enrollment needs sudo. A computer that is already enrolled keeps its identity: enrolling again does not overwrite it. If you belong to more than one account, the agent asks you to choose one by name after you sign in.
First and incremental backups
- Run a backup now: sudo -u tornova tornova-agent backup. You can also use Back Up Now on the website's Backup page.
- The first backup uploads everything in the approved folder. After that, each backup uploads only new and changed files; files that are already protected are counted as already protected, and a run with nothing changed uploads nothing.
- Check the result with sudo -u tornova tornova-agent status, or in Activity on the website, which shows each backup's files and outcome.
- Automatic schedules are set on the website (Automatic Backup).
Restore from the website
- Open Restore on the website, choose the Linux computer to restore from, and tick the files or folders.
- Choose Restore to: only a registered Linux computer can receive Linux files (restore stays within the same operating system).
- Optionally type a restore folder inside the approved restore location, then choose Restore Now.
Restore on the website: the approved restore location is /var/lib/tornova/restore; an optional folder must be inside it (sanitized screenshot).
Restored files are written under /var/lib/tornova/restore (or a subfolder of it that you name). A destination outside that folder is refused for safety: the restore is shown as Failed - Destination Not Allowed, nothing is written, and the message names the folder to use. Do not try to work around this by loosening permissions; use the approved folder, then copy the files where you want them.
The restore summary: counts of restored, skipped and failed files, where they went, and how files that already existed were handled (sanitized screenshot).
- Keep Both is the conflict choice for web restores: an existing file with the same name is kept and the restored copy is saved beside it under a new name.
- Finished restores are listed in Activity on the website, with their summary.
If something goes wrong
Check the service first, then its log. Never share your password or authenticator code when you ask for help.
- The service is not running: sudo systemctl status tornova-agent.service shows its state. It starts only after enrollment.
- A folder is not backed up: confirm the tornova user can read it and that you approved it on the website.
- A restore shows Failed - Destination Not Allowed: choose the default restore folder or a subfolder of /var/lib/tornova/restore.
- The computer shows as offline on the website: check the service and the computer's internet connection.
- For logs, run sudo journalctl -u tornova-agent.service --since today and send the relevant lines to Support.
Frequently asked questions
Which Linux systems are supported?
Ubuntu 24.04 on 64-bit Intel/AMD with systemd. Other distributions and ARM are not supported. The package declares the libraries Ubuntu 24.04 provides, so it will not install on older Ubuntu releases.
Is there a graphical app for Linux?
No. Setup, backup and status use the command line; schedules, folders and restores are managed on the Tornova website.
Where do restored files go?
Under /var/lib/tornova/restore, or a subfolder of it. Destinations outside that folder are refused.
Can I restore a Windows backup to my Linux computer?
No. Restore stays within the same operating system: Linux to Linux.
Does installing the package start a backup?
No. Installation never enrolls the computer and never starts the service. You enroll, approve a folder and start the service yourself.
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