How can we verify the firestore scheduled backup ? and see the backup size/ files

Google Cloud Database
2

Update 5/1/2024:

Firestore’s managed backup and restore service, does not use Google Cloud Storage (GCS) buckets in the same way that manual exports and imports do.

To clarify:

  1. Managed Backups: Firestore managed backups automatically backs up your data at scheduled intervals. These backups are handled by Google internally and do not require user interaction with Google Cloud Storage. They’re designed for ease of use and reliability, providing automatic and periodic snapshots of your data.

  2. Manual Exports/Imports: This is the method where Firestore data is exported to or imported from Google Cloud Storage. This process involves using the gcloud command-line tool or Firebase Console to trigger exports and imports. This is useful for ad hoc backups, data migrations, or when you need to have physical files in GCS that you can manipulate or move to another environment.

  3. Checking Managed Backup Details: For managed backups, you can view the backup configurations and their statuses through the Google Cloud Console, particularly within the Firestore section under “Backups.” Here, you can manage the settings, see the status of each backup, and restore from these backups as needed.

  4. Restoring Data: For managed backups, restoration can also be initiated from the Google Cloud Console, where you can select from the available backups and restore them to the original or to a new Firestore instance.

To verify the integrity and size of your scheduled Firestore backup, follow these steps:

  1. Check the Backup Status:

    • Go to the Firebase console and navigate to your project.
    • Access the “Backups” tab. Here, locate your backup and check if its status is “READY”, indicating a successful completion.

  2. View Backup Details:

    • Click on the backup entry to view more details. The “Snapshot Time” shows when the data was captured, and the “Expire Time” indicates when this backup will be deleted automatically.

  3. Access Backup Files in Cloud Storage:

    • Firestore backups are stored in a Cloud Storage bucket. The bucket’s name and location might have been set during the backup configuration. If it’s not visible in the backup details, you may need to check your Firestore backup settings or use the Google Cloud Console or SDK to find the correct bucket.

  4. Verify Backup Size:

    • In the Cloud Storage console, locate the bucket containing your backup files. Here, you can check the total size of these files, giving you an idea of the data volume in the backup.

  5. Validate Backup Integrity:

    • To ensure the backup’s integrity, consider restoring it to a test environment or importing it into a different Firestore database. This step is crucial to verify that the data is intact and the backup is reliable for future data recovery.

  6. Additional Considerations:

    • Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access Firestore backups and Cloud Storage.
    • Regularly monitor and test backups to confirm ongoing data integrity.
    • Be mindful of any costs associated with Cloud Storage and data restoration in Firestore.