When you use Backblaze Computer Backup to back up your data to Backblaze it is first encrypted on your PC or Mac, transmitted using encryption, and stored encrypted in the Backblaze cloud. When the time comes for you to restore those files you may decide you don’t want to do that online. After all, it could take a while to download the hundreds of gigabytes of data you have stored with Backblaze. That’s why we offer the ability to securely restore your data using a USB hard drive or USB flash drive instead. Here’s more about the service and how to use it.
Restore By Mail
Backblaze offers the Restore By Mail service for any customer who wants to restore their files by using a USB drive. For restores up to 110GB we offer a USB flash drive. For larger restores up to 8TB we offer a USB-based hard disk drive instead (we’re currently using WD My Passport Ultra drives). The flash drive costs $99; the hard drive costs $189. Both prices include shipping and handling. You select which method you’d like to use (web, USB hard drive, or USB flash drive) at the beginning of the restore process.
We send the drive to you by FedEx. You restore the files at your convenience. What’s more, our Restore Return Refund service saves you money. After your restore is done, send the drive back to us within 30 days. We refund your purchase price in full. We’re not interested in turning hard drive restores into a big profit center. We just want to make it as convenient as possible for you to get your files.
Secure in Transit
Your files are safe even though we’re sending them via a delivery service. If the drive gets intercepted en route, whoever got it can’t to do anything with it. That’s because we encrypt the data on the USB drive before we send it to you. We take the safety and security of your data very seriously at Backblaze.
You’re given a Drive Unlock Code when you order a USB drive from us. View the code by logging into your account page on the Backblaze website. Without that Drive Unlock Code, no one can access the data on your drive.
Hard drive encryption used to be optional. A while back we made it the standard operating procedure for any USB flash drive or USB hard drive we send out the door.
How to Restore Your Files Using a USB Hard Drive
Here is a step by step guide to recovering your data once you have received your USB hard drive from Backblaze:
- To access your data, you will need your personalized Drive Unlock Code. After logging into Backblaze, the Drive Unlock Code can be found on the bottom right of the My Restores page.
- Next, remove the WD My Passport Ultra hard drive from the box and connect it to your computer via the accompanying cable.
- Once the hard drive is connected, you will be prompted to enter the Drive Unlock Code. Copy and paste your Drive Unlock Code from step one into the password field.
- Now the hard drive will be unlocked and fully accessible to you. You can retrieve all your restored files.
You can send back the USB hard drive to us within 30 days, and we’ll refund your purchase price: $189.00 for a USB hard drive or $99.00 for USB flash drives. Of course, you can keep the USB drive and we’ll keep your money and that’s OK too. We just want to make sure you can get your data back as quickly, conveniently, and securely as possible.
