Questions & answers

Everything you'd want to know before trusting Ferry with your files.

Do I need an account?: No. Backing up, making the USB and restoring are free with no sign-up. Even the optional cloud copy works without one: you get a restore code instead. You can link it to your email later on the account page.
Which systems does Ferry support?: Moving from Windows 10 or 11 to Ubuntu 24.04. More destinations are planned.
Will I lose my files when my PC is wiped?: The USB drive is prepared first, while it holds nothing of yours. Then every file is copied, checked and encrypted before you reinstall anything. Keep the USB safe until you've restored.
What if I forget my backup password?: The backup can't be opened — there is no recovery, by design. That's what keeps it private. Write the password down before you start; Ferry asks you to confirm you did.
How do I restore on Ubuntu?: After installing Ubuntu, plug in the USB and open it in Files. Right-click Restore with Ferry, choose Allow Launching, then double-click it and enter your backup password.
Do my apps come back?: Ferry lists the apps you installed yourself and, on Ubuntu, installs the Linux versions it can with a single password prompt. Apps with no Linux version get an honest note — or a clearly labelled alternative, never a guess.
Do my Wi-Fi networks come back?: Yes — saved networks and their passwords reconnect on their own. Work and school networks that use a personal login ask you to sign in again.
Are my browser passwords transferred?: Firefox bookmarks, history and saved passwords move across as they are. Chrome, Edge and Brave bookmarks come back as a file you import; their saved passwords are locked to the old Windows install, so use the browser's own sync for those.
My USB drive is too small. What now?: Use a bigger drive — Ferry tells you the size it needs before anything is erased.
Is any of my data uploaded?: Only if you choose the cloud copy. Your backup is encrypted on your PC first, so Ferry can't read it, and it's deleted after 30 days or as soon as you delete it. Otherwise everything stays between your PC and your USB drive.
What is a restore code?: After a cloud upload, Ferry gives you a code like FERRY-7KQ2-…. Together with your backup password it's the way to reach that copy from another computer. Save it somewhere other than the USB — a photo on your phone works.
Is Ferry really free?: Yes. The cloud copy is free for now too (up to 50 GB, kept 30 days). If that ever changes it will be announced first — and the USB route stays free.
Why does Ferry ask for administrator access?: Preparing a USB drive, exporting Wi-Fi networks and reading the list of installed apps are protected Windows operations. Ferry uses that access only for those steps.