The problem with the cloud
Most messaging apps offer to back up to the cloud. iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive. It's convenient. It's automatic. And it's exactly the opposite of what you need if you care about privacy.
A cloud backup means your messages, files and contacts are stored on servers you don't control. It doesn't matter if the app encrypts your conversations if it then uploads them to a third-party server. The keys to decrypt that backup are also there, or in the account that manages it. An employee with access, a security breach, a court order — and your data is exposed.
The alternative you already have at home
With Solo2, your second device is your backup. No cloud needed. No external services. If you have Solo2 on your phone and computer, they sync automatically when connected at the same time.
Everything replicates: messages, files, voice messages, images, contacts, settings. If your phone breaks, gets lost or is stolen, the computer has your complete copy. And vice versa. You didn't have to configure anything, activate any manual backup, or choose what to back up. It's all automatic.
How it works
When Solo2 detects the same user is connected on two devices, it creates an internal tunnel between them — exactly like a tunnel with another person, but between your own machines. Everything travels through that tunnel, encrypted, direct, without going through any server.
Synchronization is smart. It only sends what the other device is missing. If the computer already has the last 50 messages but is missing 3, it only sends those 3. Same with files. No unnecessary transfers or duplicates.
Why this is better than the cloud
With a cloud backup, your data is on another company's servers, in another country, under another jurisdiction. You don't decide who has access. You don't decide when it's deleted. You don't decide if tomorrow the terms of service change.
With Solo2 synchronization, your data is on your devices. Only on your devices. You decide when they turn on, when they turn off, and if one day you want to delete everything, you delete it and no copy remains anywhere. The control is absolute.
Full synchronization — in both directions
Synchronization is complete and bidirectional. Everything you do on one device is reflected on the other. A new message appears on both. A settings change applies to both. And yes — if you delete something on one, it disappears on both. Because it's real synchronization, not a static copy.
This might seem like a risk, but it's actually a security tool. Imagine you lose your phone. Or worse: someone steals it and knows your password. You run to your computer, make an external backup of your vault and immediately launch a total wipe. Since they're synced, the wipe propagates to the phone. When the thief tries to open Solo2, they'll find an empty vault. Your data will be safe in the backup you made from the computer.
Combining synchronization with periodic backups is the best of both worlds. Synchronization gives you availability and real-time redundancy. The backup gives you the safety net for extreme situations. And all without a single byte of your information passing through any external server.
A practical tip
If you're worried about losing data, the best strategy is to have Solo2 open on a computer that's on most of the time. No dedicated computer needed — just a browser tab on your work or home computer. That computer will be your permanent safety net, your automatic backup, and your personal node that receives everything while your phone rests. Keep in mind that some browsers may pause inactive tabs — it's a good idea to pin the Solo2 tab to prevent this.
And from time to time, make an external backup of your vault from the Solo2 menu. It only takes a minute and gives you an extra layer of protection against the unexpected.